Flat Tummy Co. Sound familiar? You've probably seen this company somewhere on your Instagram feed. If you haven't, I'm sure you've seen the infamous "detox tea" advertisements that claim to "fight bloating" and "make your belly flatter naturally!"
That is BS.
Jameela Jamil, a popular celebrity and advocate, posted about how dangerous and ridiculous it is for celebrities to promote these products because they're essentially laxatives. Even the most "gentle" teas or supplements should not be consumed without talking to your doctor.
Take this person's story, for example. She was a teenager who didn't know the dangers of these teas. She just listened to celebrities because she saw the results and liked them. She couldn't stand the process of losing weight and wanted to get rid of it quickly. It just led her to the emergency room.
My heart sank when I read this because, well, I know she's not the only one. I know there are people around me that do these things. They just don't tell anyone, and it's dangerous. They think it's okay because it's making them healthier, or it's earning them money.
If you sell these teas, you are spreading a dangerous message: Do whatever it takes to lose weight.
I know you might not intend it, but people don't know that. They don't know that you've hired a personal trainer or eat a bunch of healthy foods.
The truth is that the celebrities who promote these products don't even try them. They simply promote them. Why? They know what harm it causes, but they don't care because they earn money nonetheless.
You might think I'm being overdramatic or oversimplifying the world of social media, and you may be right to some degree. Maybe you use these teas and like them. They make you lose weight, and they don't make you sick. But if you use these products, listen to me.
Your stomach might be getting flatter, but you're only hurting yourself. Please break the cycle today.
These so-called "detox teas" may be masked as "diet teas" or "healthy teas" or even "flat tummy teas," but they don't do those things at all. They make you empty, sick, and unable to function. If it doesn't happen now, it will happen later. Besides, it is simply not healthy to replace your meals with these. They have little to no nutritional value.
Even if you lose weight drinking these teas, you'll gain it right back.
Our society's obsession with weight fuels these companies. Sponsorships and paid promotions simply earn the companies more money. If you see your favorite celebrity posing in an Instagram picture with a cup of tea and a weird, completely scripted caption, stay away.
Dear celebrities: Your advertisements have dangerous consequences.
I'll leave you with Cardi B's post and its scary responses, "I'm a fatso and I need to try this," and "Pray for me, I'm going to try this." This isn't okay. Stop promoting these products!
