The bizarre claims of celebrity "science"

Celebrities never cease to amaze us with their wacky diets and other bizarre "science" statements. At first this can seem like a bit of harmless fun, but some of the ideas promoted can be potentially dangerous to your health.

For your amusement and safety, charity Sense about Science has compiled some of the strangest statements made by celebrities in 2010, followed by the actual facts.

Hologram bracelets that enhance fitness

As spotted on David Beckham and Kate Middleton, these products are supposed to improve strength and fitness. Weirdly, Formula 1 driver Rubens Barrichello gave the product a thumbs-up, saying that "it is amazing how I feel better, stronger and more flexible when I exercise."

Exactly how the positive effects of exercise are related to wearing the bracelet is not clear.

Blood group diet

As tried out by Cheryl Cole and Cliff Richard among others, this diet claims that different people with different blood groups break down foods in different ways and therefore should eat different things.

If this diet works, it is just because you are eating fewer calories, not because of any link between blood type and metabolism. Randomly cutting out key food groups based on hocus-pocus could actually cause serious harm and undermine your health.

Topping your food with charcoal

Pop star Sarah Harding claimed that this "apparently" absorbs all the "bad, damaging stuff" in the body. She did not clarify if this bad stuff includes charcoal dressing.

Charcoal is used to absorb toxic molecules in gas masks and other industrial processes, and as a treatment when people have ingested life-threatening toxins or overdosed on drugs. However this is not necessary in normal everyday eating, as our bodies are already quite capable of removing "bad stuff" from our food.

Magnets that help reduce weight

Coronation Street actress Kate Ford used a magnet worn on her wrist’s "acupuncture point". She claimed that "this stopped me anxiety eating, curbed cravings and helped me drop 2st in a few months."

Wearing the magnets may have boosted her resolve to cut down on eating (the placebo effect) but there is no evidence that these products have any direct effect on our digestive capabilities.

Avoid formula milk for babies because they contain "chemicals"

As proposed by supermodel Gisele Bündchen, who criticised women who don't breastfeed, saying: "Are you going to give chemical food to your child when they are so little?"

Regardless of the merits or otherwise of breast v. bottle, all things are made up of chemicals, including breast milk.

This article was published on Wed 29 December 2010