Too Good To Be True: The Five Biggest Health Fads We’ve All Fallen Fool To

No wonder we're under the impression being and staying healthy is expensive, we're being bombarded with the latest health fads on a daily basis and, unsurprisingly, they all cost money. 

But that's where we're wrong. Why should staying healthy and getting fit empty our purse?

According to realbuzz.com, here are the five biggest health fads we fall fool to...

1. Toning Shoes

Research has revealed that the concept of toning shoes is too good to be true. The manufacturers have claimed that, because the shoes make your muscles work harder as you walk, you can burn more calories and tone up your legs and bum.

In reality, research by the American Council on Exercise and the Federal Trade Commissiom have found that the shoes don't live up to their name and some companies have even been forced to issue refunds to unsatisfied customers.

Toning shoes cost more... and they mightn't be as effective as you think. 

2. Bottled Water

Sales of bottled water have increased wholesale in recent years. It is important to stay hydrated but there is no evidence that bottled water is any better for us than tap water.

Stick to the tap, ladies.

3. Gluten-Free Foods

Gluten has picked up a bad rep in recent years. True, it is necessary for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity but research suggests that, for everyone else, cutting out glute to aid weight loss could be pointless.

According to research published by Arizona State University, there is no benefit of following a gluten-free diet for the average healthy individual and cutting out gluten is not an effective weight loss strategy. You can also miss out on the large amounts of fibre that comes in most gluten products.

4. Expensive Superberries

Studies say that emptying the purse for expensive and exotic supefoods could be pointless. Apparently, acai berry juice (the celebrity health drink of the moment) only has average health benefits when compared to that of other fruits.

Acai berries are actually lower in antioxidants than pomegranates and blueberries, and they're a much cheaper option to throw into the trolley. The healthiest of them all supposedly? Blackberries.

Acai berries have a few cheaper, and better, competitors in the fruit basket... 

5. Expensive Detox Cleanses

Regular detoxes like juice cleanses and detox supplements have become part of many people's lives. But now health experts are saying they have little benefit to our bodies, our bodies are already highly effective in getting rid of toxins. On top of this, any weight loss benefits from cleanses tend to be short-term.

You're better off making sure you lead a healthy diet and lifestyle.