The declare: Lettuce removes mildew and fungus from the physique
Consuming salads with recent greens can be a good way to get vital nutritional vitamins and minerals. However a broadly shared put up on Fb claims some leafy greens also can rid the physique of harmful parts.
“Lettuce removes mildew & fungus out of the physique,” reads textual content in an image published Nov. 1 by a verified web page known as Medical Medium.
The put up, which amassed greater than 1,400 shares inside two days, comes from Anthony William, an author and self-proclaimed medium with greater than 3.5 million followers on Fb. It hyperlinks to an Amazon listing for William’s e-book on cleaning.
William has previously promoted pseudoscientific views on the advantages of consuming celery juice for web sites like Goop. Based on a disclaimer on his website, he’s “is just not a licensed medical physician,” nor does he prescribe “any medical prognosis, remedy, remedy, or treatment.”
Consultants say the declare within the put up, which has additionally unfold on Pinterest and Instagram, is baseless.
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“There are various advantages to consuming lettuce, however that isn’t one among them,” Katie Holton, an affiliate professor of well being research and dietary neuroscientist at American College, stated in an electronic mail.
USA TODAY reached out to William for remark.
No proof lettuce removes fungi from physique
Salad greens comprise an array of wholesome vitamins akin to vitamin A, vitamin C, folate and fiber. Darkish inexperienced leafy greens additionally are typically greater in antioxidants.
Antifungal properties don’t make the record.
“There isn’t any analysis that helps lettuce as a treatment for mildew or fungus within the physique,” Nyree Dardarian, director of the Heart for Vitamin & Efficiency at Drexel College, stated in an electronic mail.
Airborne mildew could be inhaled and infect the lungs, she stated, however consuming lettuce would not assist. According to the Mayo Clinic, the remedy for circumstances like aspergillosis can embrace corticosteroids, antifungal medicines and surgical procedure.
Different widespread fungal infections, akin to athlete’s foot caused by ringworm and coccidioidomycosis lung infections, additionally happen in components of the physique the place lettuce has no presence.
“Lettuce is damaged down into water, glucose and fiber earlier than absorption and transport happen,” Holton stated. “Even when fiber from lettuce may bind to mildew and fungus, it must be current within the gastrointestinal tract for this to occur.”
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Candidiasis is a yeast infection that does happen within the intestinal tract. However Holton stated there’s “no information on the impact of lettuce or fiber on this kind of an infection.”
For many adults, candidiasis is treated with antifungal medication, in accordance with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. Nonetheless, since yeast feeds off sugar, Holton stated a affected person could remove sugar from their eating regimen as a possible remedy.
USA TODAY may discover no different proof that lettuce helps take away fungi from the physique.
Our score: False
Based mostly on our analysis, we fee FALSE the declare that lettuce removes mildew and fungus from the physique. Whereas lettuce does have a number of well being advantages, diet consultants say there is no proof that it helps take away mildew and fungus from the physique. Fungal infections are sometimes handled with antifungal remedy.
Our fact-check sources:
- MedlinePlus, accessed Nov. 3, Salads and nutrients
- Medical Medium, accessed Nov. 3, About Anthony William
- The Atlantic, Nov. 4, 2018, Actually, You Can Just Drink Some Water
- Goop, accessed Nov. 3, The Medical Medium on the Virtues of Celery Juice
- Medical Medium, accessed Nov. 3, Disclaimer
- Nyree Dardarian, Nov. 3, electronic mail change with USA TODAY
- Katie Holton, Nov. 3, electronic mail change with USA TODAY
- Mayo Clinic, accessed Nov. 3, Aspergillosis
- Colorado State College Extension, accessed Nov. 3, Health Benefits and Safe Handling of Salad Greens
- Mayo Clinic, accessed Nov. 4, Athlete’s foot
- Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, accessed Nov. 4, Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis)
- Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, accessed Nov. 4, Candidiasis
- Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, accessed Nov. 4, Treatment for Invasive Candidiasis
- Healthline, accessed Nov. 4, 5 Diet Tips to Fight Candida Yeast Infections
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Our fact-check work is supported partly by a grant from Fb.