Noida, Uttar Pradesh: Thirty-two-year-old Besaniya works as a domestic worker in Noida, and lives in a slum called Chaura Basti near the Delhi-Noida border with her two kids. Her husband Ram Deen, who worked as a daily-wage labourer, has been sick with respiratory issues for the past few years. People in her neighbourhood jhuggis also […]
CLAIM: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the leading cause of sudden deaths among young gym-goers during exercise FACT: Further studies are required to determine the true incidence of HCM-related sudden cardiac deaths and its risk factors, with no comprehensive data on HCM prevalence in India An Instagram reel posted by @dr.arshad01 attributes the sudden death […]
A viral reel by @GalattaIndiaOffl shows the renowned Bollywood actress Vidya Balan candidly sharing her lifelong struggle with weight loss and the distinction between body fat and inflammation. “All my life, I have struggled to be thin. All my life, I have dieted like crazy, I have exercised like crazy, sometimes I would lose […]
CLAIM: Disprin, clopidogrel and atorvastatin tablets should be chewed in case of a heart attack FACT: This claim lacks context and can be misleading for some viewers. First Check reviewed an Instagram reel posted by @healthwithreels which talks about first aid that should be given to people if they suffer a heart attack. The video, […]
CLAIM: Ginger is a powerful metabolism booster that helps reduce cancer risk, supports immunity, and aids digestion FACT: Ginger provides health benefits supported by research, but terming it as the top metabolism booster or claiming it prevents cancer oversimplifies its impact A thread on X, posted by Harry Psaros (@PittGuru), has highlighted the potential […]
CLAIM: Using a posture corrector can improve your posture FACT: Posture correctors may improve posture in the short term, but exercise is a more effective long-term solution A YouTube reel posted by @manmidadhich3759 claims that using a posture corrector can “transform your posture and boost your confidence,” describing it as “perfect whether you are […]
India has been reeling with shock, concern and panic, as seven cases of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) among children have been reported in the country in the past two days. Experts and government officials and ministers have been quick to assuage concerns, urging people to stay calm, elaborating that this was not a “new” virus, […]
CLAIM: Walking barefoot on grass boosts your sixth sense FACT: This claim is FALSE and lacks context. While walking barefoot may help energy levels and reduce fatigue, it does not enhance any “sixth sense.” The body’s response is physiological rather than extrasensory An Instagram reel posted by a verified account with over 600,000 followers, […]
CLAIM: Fermented food can reduce, remove and even eliminate microplastics and Bisphenol A from our tissues. FACT: Fermented foods with probiotics may support gut health, which could help mitigate some effects of microplastics indirectly. However, there is no scientific evidence proving they can remove or eliminate microplastics from the body. An Instagram reel flagged by a First Check […]
CLAIM: A YouTube reel claims that a multi-step skincare routine, including a morning face wash, vitamin C serum, moisturizer, sunscreen and lip balm is a must have for healthy skin. FACT: While a multi-step skincare routine may benefit individuals with specific skin concerns, its necessity for everyone lacks dermatological evidence A YouTube reel shared by […]
CLAIM: A mixture of aloe vera gel, coffee powder, and black tea can permanently darken grey hair after one application FACT: False. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that this mixture can permanently darken grey hair An Instagram reel posted by @abhi.healthguru suggests that applying a homemade mixture of aloe vera […]
CLAIM: The growing trend of detox diets and supplements claims that your body requires a timely detox to eliminate toxins and improve health FACT: False. The body has its own efficient detoxification system, primarily through organs like the liver, and doesn’t require external supplements or products to detoxify A growing number of videos (such […]
CLAIM: Drinking 8 litres of water daily boosts athletic performance, speeds up muscle recovery, improves joint mobility, and lowers the risk of injuries. FACT: False. Drinking 8 litres of water daily is not universally beneficial and can even pose health risks. While adequate hydration is essential for athletic performance and recovery, excessive water intake can […]
CLAIM: People over 30 shouldn’t leave their blanket abruptly due to cardiac arrest risk FACT: False. There is no scientific evidence that waking up suddenly at night can cause death A viral WhatsApp forward claims that waking up suddenly at night, especially in cold weather, can lead to a lack of blood supply to […]
New Delhi: “Badi gaadiyaan aati hain aur dhool udaake chali jaati hain hamare upar. [Big vehicles come, stir up dust, and leave it settling on us],” Ashraf Ali, an e-rickshaw driver in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area laments. Ali leaves for work at 7 AM and drives his e-rickshaw in the city till 10 PM on all working […]
CLAIM: Non-veg food does not have more protein than vegetarian food FACT: False. Non-veg food offers more protein, better for protein needs A video clip from the famous Kapil Sharma Show features Bollywood star John Abraham suggesting that vegetarian food is also a rich source of protein and so can be preferred over non-veg […]
CLAIM: Even one sip of alcohol can put you at risk of cancer. FACT: While alcohol consumption is linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, the claim that a single sip leads to cancer risk oversimplifies the relationship. The risk depends on the amount and frequency of consumption, as well as individual health and […]
CLAIM: Drinking chai daily leads to weight gain. FACT: Drinking chai in moderation does not inherently cause weight gain. Factors like added sugar, full-fat milk, and frequency of consumption determine its caloric impact. A YouTube short posted by internet sensation and nutrition coach, Ryan Fernando, claimed that consuming one cup of tea daily for a year can result […]
New Delhi: The Health of India Summit 2024 at Hotel Shangri-La, New Delhi, brought together leading healthcare innovators to discuss India’s potential as a global hub for biopharmaceutical innovation, emphasizing the need for collaborative, rapid, and cost-effective R&D strategies to address current and emerging disease challenges. The session titled “Accelerating R&D Innovation for India’s Current […]
New Delhi: At the Health of India Summit 2024 in New Delhi, experts highlighted the transformative potential of AI in revolutionizing Indian healthcare, from early tuberculosis detection in rural areas to advanced cancer prediction models, while emphasizing the need for ethical frameworks, accurate data, and patient-centric integration. The session, titled “AI & Health: How AI […]
CLAIM: Drinking vegetable juice is harmful and should be avoided. FACT: Vegetable juice can be a healthy addition to your diet when consumed in moderation and as part of a balanced nutritional plan. The First Check team came across a YouTube short from the account “DietTube India,” where the presenter claims that drinking vegetable […]
New Delhi: In May 2024, Ankit Gupta, a Delhi resident woke up from his deep slumber, hearing a strong beeping sound; but he couldn’t find the source of the sound. Worried about his ears ringing, he entered some of his symptoms into ChatGPT, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered chatbot that scrapes the internet for information and […]
The second edition of the week-long UK-India HealthTech Bootcamp began in the United Kingdom, on Sunday, November 24, featuring six Indian startups, which aims at furthering innovation and building business partnerships in the UK’s healthcare ecosystem. Chosen from a competitive pool of 262 applicants, the participating startups—Backyard Creators, Onward Assist, Neodocs, Niramai Health Analytix, Ramja […]
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