The A-listers may rave about their weird and wacky tricks, but you can do them more cheaply – and more safely – yourself
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
Some superstars will give anything a go in the name of health and wellness. But according to experts, they may have more money than sense, as often the trends they jump on are ineffective, unsustainable – or even dangerous. Would you try any of these?
Coffee enemas
Katy Perry once revealed her body secret was having ‘lots of enemas’, a cleansing technique involving an injection of fluid into the rectum to flush out the colon. One of the most popular is the coffee enema, as seen on E4’s The Big Celebrity Detox, where a mixture of brewed, caffeinated coffee and water is inserted into the bottom. The coffee is thought to stimulate bile flow.
DON’T DO IT ‘There’s a lack of scientific backing,’ says genetic expert Sebnem Unluisler. ‘When doing it at home, it can pose health risks, such as electrolyte imbalances, dehydration and serious potential for rectal damage.’
INSTEAD TRY drinking water to cleanse the colon naturally, as well as adding more fruit, vegetables and fibre to your diet.
V-steaming
Blazing the trail of this wellness ritual is none other than Gwyneth Paltrow and after she’d endorsed the intimate ‘detoxifying ritual’, other celebs – such as Chrissy Teigen and Jada Pinkett Smith – followed suit. Vaginal steaming involves crouching over a bowl of boiling, herb-infused water and allowing the steam to cleanse the intimate area. It is said to aid fertility, reduce menstrual cramps, ease stress and boost wellness.
DON’T DO IT ‘There is no scientific evidence to support the benefits,’ says Dr Aurora Almadori, a specialist in intimate female surgery (cadoganclinic.com). ‘In fact, there are plenty of risks, including burns and scalds, disruption to the vaginal microbiome, infection and irritation.’
INSTEAD TRY simply washing your vulva with warm water and unperfumed soap. Anything else can ‘alter the natural pH balance’, Dr Almadori adds.
Urine drinking
Madonna has been reported to drink her own urine and Bear Grylls encouraged eight celebs – including Jamelia, Emilia Fox and Mike Tindall – to give it a go on his ITV Mission Survive show. While it’s around 96% water, urine also contains proteins, hormones and metabolites that many believe have health benefits when ingested.
DON’T DO IT ‘This is a bad idea,’ sa
