viral VS. Real
Separating science from hype: Fact-checking social media’s biggest health and wellness trends.
Evaluating the scientific validity and clinical evidence behind viral social media wellness trends.
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Why Does Bread Feel Easier to Digest in Europe? What the Evidence Actually Shows
Why can bread feel easier to digest in Europe? See what evidence says about gluten, fructans, sourdough, celiac disease, wheat and glyphosate claims.
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Is Your Puffy Face Really From Cortisol? The Viral Claim vs. the Medical Reality
Social media says facial puffiness, belly fat, fatigue, and poor sleep may mean your cortisol is too high. Here is what your face can actually tell you – and what it cannot. By M.J. Kim, MD Evidence reviewed through: September 9, 2026 Updated: October 1, 2026 At a Glance “Cortisol face” is not a medical…
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Berberine Before Surgery: Why Your Anesthesia Team Needs to Know About “Nature’s Ozempic”
Berberine is promoted online as “Nature’s Ozempic.” The evidence tells a more complicated—and more useful—story about weight loss, liver safety, and drug interactions before anesthesia. By J.Y. Jeong, MD Evidence reviewed through: September 3, 2026 Updated: October 1, 2026 At a Glance Berberine is not a natural version of Ozempic. Its weight-loss effect in clinical…