Gen Z heals themselves on TikTok: what 1 in 3 young people believe… and which worries experts

Faced with the confusion created by viral trends, health professionals remind us of the essential rules for identifying real, reliable information.

What does the study really say about TikTok and young people’s health?

They are young, ultra-connected… and they trust TikTok more than their doctor. A European study reveals that Generation Z is turning massively to social networks to ask their health questions. Symptoms, nutrition, supplements:
1 in 3 young people prefer a reel (those short videos found on social networks) to an official health form.

And when it comes to knowing what to eat, it’s even worse.
35% of young Europeans mainly get information on TikTok or Instagram about their diets, allergies or eating habits. Advice from content creators takes precedence over professional advice. Result: a generation bombarded with contradictory information… and completely lost.

“With so much conflicting information online, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by what’s actually healthy”warns dietician Dr Carrie Ruxton. She notes that young people try to do well, but find themselves drowned in a flood of trends, “health tips” and miracle solutions. The need to go quickly, to have a simple answer, pushes them to click, like, believe… without checking.

These 3 news that TikTok makes you believe… wrongly

Among the viral beliefs that explode on the networks, three preconceived ideas constantly recur. And yet, they are all false:

100% fruit juice would cause blood sugar levels to “explode”

According to the study, 38% of Europeans think that this juice contains added sugars. This is false. European legislation prohibits it. As a bonus, a glass of orange juice covers more than 90% of the recommended intake of vitamin C. To find out more, discover our article “Does orange juice really raise blood sugar? The answer will surprise you”.

Protein shakes are essential

Very popular in fitness videos, these powders are far from necessary for the majority of people. The classic diet is more than enough. To find out more, discover our article “Protein powder: bad advertising from influencers”.

“Detox” cures eliminate toxins

A fashion that has tough skin. But the body knows very well how to “detoxify” itself, via the liver and kidneys. Worse: certain cures can disrupt your body. To find out more, discover our article “If detox was just an intoxication?”.

Social networks vs experts: who to believe in 2025?

Faced with the ambient confusion, health professionals are trying to speak out again. According to the study, they remain the most reliable source in the eyes of young people. They still need to be visible on the right channels.

“Social media can be useful for learning, but it should never replace the advice of qualified professionals, such as registered dietitians or health care practitioners.”recalls Dr. Ruxton.

She provides 5 simple rules to avoid falling into the trap of false health information:

1. Always check the source (Who is speaking? What are their conflicts of interest?);
2. Keep it simple: focus on gradual and lasting changes;
3. Don’t demonize food;
4. Beware of trends that are too good to be true;
5. Stay consistent in your food choices;
6. Trust labels like Youtube Health, which guarantee verified information.