FACT CHECK: Are figs non-vegetarian due…

CLAIM: Figs (Anjeer) are non-vegetarian as wasps are involved in...

FACT CHECK: Is milk from hormone-injected…

CLAIM:  Hormones injected into cows linked to human cancer risk...

Fact Check: Does loud snoring signal…

CLAIM:  Loud snoring is a deep and restful sleep FACT: ...

FACT CHECK: Does eating fish and…

  CLAIM:  The consumption of fish and milk leads to...

FACT CHECK: Can certain food help…

A First Check reader recently shared a video with us...

FACT CHECK: Can clove-studded apple ease…

CLAIM:  Eating an apple with cloves inserted overnight on an...

Trump’s second term: RFK Jr. to…

As concerns rise about the implications of a second Trump...

FACT CHECK: The brown Vs white…

Claim: Brown eggs are much healthier than white eggs Fact:...

FACT CHECK: Are broiler chickens injected…

  CLAIM:  Are hormonal injections like steroids used in the...

FACT CHECK: Which is safer and…

Should you be drinking raw milk over pasteurised milk? A...

Fact Check: Does poor oral hygiene…

Claim: Poor oral hygiene over time can lead to an...

FACT CHECK: Does sweetened lemonade have…

CLAIM:  Sugar in lemonade restricts the body's ability to absorb...

Fact Check: Can drinking too much…

CLAIM:  A popular social media post claims that coffee consumption...

Fact Check: Is fake paneer made…

  CLAIM: A viral video says "analogue paneer" is made...

Fact Check: Donald Trump claims “I’m…

CLAIM US presidential candidate Donald Trump says "I'm the father...

FACT CHECK: Viral video claims salt…

CLAIM  Salt is not as harmful when it comes to...

Fact Check: Do Root Canals Increase…

CLAIM Root canals lead to breast cancer among women FACT ...

FACT CHECK: Wisdom teeth removal &…

A video has been going viral on Instagram, which advocates...

FACT CHECK: Are diabetics safe from…

  CLAIM:  Diabetes does not affect one's eyes, as long...

FACT CHECK: Trump claims vaping helps…

CLAIM:  Flavoured vapes can help people quit smoking   FACT: ...

FACT CHECK: Can cleaning a cowshed…

CLAIM:  Stroking a cow’s back lowers one’s required dosage of...

FACT CHECK: 3 COVID era conspiracies…

  Ever since the World Health Organisation declared mpox a public...

FACT CHECK: ACHOO! Should you hold…

  CLAIM:  Holding in a sneeze could be injurious to...

FACT CHECK: Does coconut oil in…

CLAIM:  Coconut oil added regularly to a balanced diet lowers...

FACT CHECK: Has AIIMS said eating…

CLAIM:  AIIMS has said that eating hot food in plastic...

FACT CHECK: Will a concoction of…

CLAIM: Consuming onions in Coca-Cola can cure diabetes and significantly...

FACT CHECK: Apeel fruit coatings contain…

CLAIM: Apeel uses carcinogenic chemicals in its edible coatings for...

FACT CHECK: Can one contract chickenpox…

CLAIM One can contract chickenpox twice.   FACT A bout...

FACT CHECK: Triglycerides based fish oils…

Claim: Fish Oil quality can be determined using a thermocol...

FACT CHECK: Viral claim about Leech…

CLAIM: Leech Therapy cures cervical pain.   FACT: There is...

FACT CHECK: Is there any truth…

Earlier this year, Elon Musk, billionaire entrepreneur, owner of X...

FACT CHECK: US Vice President Hopeful…

CLAIM:  JD Vance asserts a "massive rise" in communicable diseases...

FACT CHECK: Did Kamala Harris admit…

CLAIM Kamala Harris admitted that the COVID virus originated in...

FACT CHECK: Slow chewing of food…

CLAIM  Slow Chewing of food can be a game changer...

FACT CHECK: Does manuka honey have…

CLAIM:  Manuka honey has anti-cancer properties. FACT Manuka honey has...

FACT CHECK: Can eating curd, salad,…

CLAIM Consuming curd, salad, banana, radish at night with dinner...

FACT CHECK: Should you avoid caffeine…

CLAIM: Caffeine should not be consumed at all while trying...

FACT CHECK: Should you tie and…

CLAIM If bitten by a snake, tie off that part,...

FACT CHECK: Does using a laptop…

CLAIM: Holding a laptop on lap for extended periods leads...

FACT CHECK: Can cancer be cured…

CLAIM:  Drinking lemons soaked in hot water can cure cancer...

FACT CHECK: Zinc deficiency negatively affects…

CLAIM:  Zinc deficiency negatively affects male reproductive health and overall...

FACT CHECK: Does Chemotherapy have a…

For colorectal cancer, chemotherapy, especially when combined with surgery, can...

Fact-check: Vitamin C can’t ward off…

Vitamin C has long been of interest to medical experts...

FACT CHECK: Can vaccines for children…

CLAIM: Childhood vaccination leads to autism    FACT:  Scientific consensus...

Fact Check: Can exercise reduce the…

Claim  Regular exercise significantly reduces the risk of cancer Fact ...

FACT CHECK: Consuming soy leads to…

CLAIM:  Use of soy protein, as a body-building supplement or...

FACT CHECK: Is chewing smokeless tobacco…

CLAIM:  Chewing smokeless tobacco does not cause cancer.   FACT: ...

FACT CHECK: Does moderate drinking have…

CLAIM: No amount of alcohol consumption, light to moderate, can...

FACT CHECK: Are you drinking estrogen…

CLAIM: Estrogen from birth control pills is contaminating tap water,...

FACT CHECK: Should Artificial Sweeteners, Flavourings…

Does your health supplement have artificial sweeteners and flavourings? Well,...

FACT CHECK: Can garlic lower blood…

CLAIM: Garlic shots help lower blood pressure, bad cholesterol, and...

FACT CHECK: False claims linking mpox…

CLAIM: Mpox is a side effect of COVID-19 vaccines  ...

FACT CHECK: What are the health…

CLAIM: Consuming the Indian gooseberry, known as Amla, has multiple...

FACT CHECK: Can the HPV vaccine…

CLAIM:  HPV vaccine is dangerous leading to infertility and death....

FACT CHECK: Does Chicken Pox spread…

CLAIM:  Chicken Pox starts spreading once the rashes break out. ...

FACT CHECK: Is WHO suggesting lockdowns…

CLAIM:  The World Health Organization is imposing or recommending the...

FACT CHECK: Are all types of…

CLAIM: All types of herpes infections are sexually transmitted  ...

FACT CHECK: Sugar does not induce…

Scientists find that sugar consumption does not affect the behaviour...

Fact-check: The link between vascularity &…

Regular exercise is the best way to keep the muscles...

Fact-check: Mpox is not limited to…

The zoonotic disease is typically found in areas close to...

Fact-check: Rosemary oil + coconut oil…

From tackling bacterial infections and scalp inflammation to preventing protein...

Fact-check: Vaseline intake not the secret…

Robert Chesebrough, the American chemist who discovered petroleum jelly and...

Fact-check: The science behind auriculotherapy

Proponents claim that stimulating specific points on the ear can...

Fact-check: Gel manicures and the risk…

While research suggests that radiation emitted by UV-nail polish dryers...

Fact-check: How heavy metal music impacts…

Studies find that intense tempo and heavy bass doesn’t cause...

Fact-check: Women who carry the DNA…

The presence of male cells in women could be attributed...

Fact-check: Spirulina rich in nutrition, but…

Its unique composition has led NASA to incorporate spirulina into...

Fact-check: Tirzepatide aids weight loss, helps…

The drug suppresses appetite, while simultaneously slowing down digestion, so...

Fact-check: Smoking harms oral health in…

Reduced blood flow makes it tougher to detect gum disease...

‘Concerning to see pseudo-experts encouraging the…

The Ordre des chimistes du Québeche, a regulatory body in...

Fact-check: 3 common myths about blood…

Healthy adults can donate blood regularly. Not age, but health...

Fact-check: Air fryer French fries a…

Air fryers operate at similar temperatures to deep fryers, but...

Fact-check: Cellulite is normal, doesn’t need…

The cosmetic industry has capitalised on insecurities surrounding cellulite –...

Fact-check: Easy remedies for muscle cramps

Replenishing electrolytes like potassium and sodium, or stretching and massaging...

Fact-check: Flawed rationale behind soaking nuts…

Studies find that soaking nuts does not improve gastrointestinal tolerance...

Fact-check: Turmeric supplements can induce liver…

While curcumin generally exhibits safe metabolism and low toxicity among...

Fact-check: Vaccine scars don’t imply effectiveness

Older vaccines often used live but weakened viruses or bacteria...

Fact-check: Pros and cons of brown…

Brown rice contains higher levels of fibre and vitamins. However,...

Fact-check: Mangoes with black blotches may…

Besides the cancer risk associated with the consumption of fruits...

World No Tobacco Day: 7 evidence-based…

It’s high time we de-normalise tobacco use, given the massive...

Fact-check: Spot reduction is a myth

Targeted exercises can improve muscle tone and appearance, but they...

Fact-check: Heat stroke can be fatal

The body temperature rises to about 40 degrees Celsius, coupled...

Fact-check: Cowwal’s Cow Urine doesn’t have…

The product is still being sold on major e-commerce sites...

Fact-check: The effect of alcohol on…

While alcohol can affect blood sugar levels, as claimed in...

Fact-check: Excess calcium intake can pose…

While it may be easier to reach for a supplement,...

Wearing makeup during exercise not healthy…

  In the age of social media trends such as...

Fact-check: Onions won’t help you beat…

A recent video of an Indian politician talking to the...

Malaria vaccine saves two million kids…

The WHO's 2023 Results Report highlights the progress made in...

Fact-check: Mango & its anti-cancer benefits

Mangiferin, one of the most extensively investigated naturally occurring anti-cancer...

Fact-check: Reducing calories in rice by…

Cooking rice along with any form of fat, not just...

AI search engines promote illegal online…

Increased demand for online medications has attracted malicious actors, with...

Food safety: 5 harmful chemicals in…

There’s an urgent need for transparent labelling, effective regulation, and...

Mental health: The silent pandemic we…

With over 150 million Indians requiring mental health care services,...

Fact-check: Turmeric latte can be injurious…

The popular drink may contain lead chromate, a toxic pigment...

Seeking health information beyond conventional practices…

Social media and easy internet access accelerate false health information...

Fact-check: Using cast iron cookware cannot…

While it can be a helpful supplement for those with...

Fact-check: No scientific evidence to prove…

Limited research data is available to confirm the purported reproductive...

Fact-check: Ads promote bogus diabetes cure…

They endorse a dubious dietary supplement and unverified drug for...

Fact-check: The science behind using gold…

Gold nanoparticles have antifungal, antibacterial and anti-ageing benefits. However, those...

Fact-check: 4 eye donation myths debunked

The generous act of donating one’s corneas after death can...

Fact-check: Only child syndrome is a…

Rather than attributing certain behaviours to being an only child,...

Why health fact-checking is still important

It’s not just COVID — it’s measles, HPV, fake cures...

Fact-check: Castor oil is not a…

Contrary to what social media influencers may claim, castor oil...

Fact-check: Expert take on 6 tuberculosis…

TB is curable, but the biggest challenge remains the general...

Fact-check: Fasting cannot cure cancer

Researchers caution against oversimplification as autophagy has been attributed tumour-suppressive...

Fact-check: Japanese water therapy & weight…

While drinking water on an empty stomach can temporarily boost...

Fact-check – Not all dietary fats…

Inclusion of a variety of nutrient-dense fats as part of...

Fact-check: Paternal smoking, obesity can harm…

Researchers have identified notable associations between paternal factors and birth...

Fact-check: DIY teeth whitening treatments don’t…

Social media claims about the magic mixture of toothpaste, baking...

Fact-check: Turmeric is not the magic…

There is no robust study to support the claims on...

Fact-check: Not all cyanide exposures are…

Estimating how lethal a dose can be is challenging, due...

Fact-check: Working night shifts takes a…

Apart from circadian misalignment and its effect on physical health,...

Fact-check: Meatless diet can help fight…

About 15% of global greenhouse emissions result from livestock farming,...

Fact-check: Eggs, fruits, oats are not…

There isn’t much nutritional value to white bread though. A...

Leprosy: 3 myths that refuse to…

Despite being one of the oldest diseases known to mankind,...

Fact-check: Bulletproof coffee no magic bullet…

While the coffee concoction can kill food cravings and give...

Fact-check: Consume beans for better digestion,…

Instagram video is right about the positive impact of consuming...

Video gamers at risk of irreversible…

Researchers note the need to consider permissible noise levels and...

Fact-check: DIY Vagus nerve massage can’t…

On social media, rubs and massages that “tone” one of...

Cervical cancer awareness month: HPV vaccines…

While India’s Union Health Ministry is yet to take a...

Fact-check: No need to walk 10,000…

Research findings underscore the importance of prioritising the quality and...

A pill or injection can’t address…

Weight loss is only maintained while taking the drugs; once...

Fact-check: No magic diet can cure…

The hype about Master Cleanse, Mono Diet, or Mediterranean diet...

ChatGPT gives incorrect diagnoses, but holds…

The LLM-based chatbot reached an incorrect diagnosis in 83 out...

Fact-checking health in 2024

Medical practitioners, fact checkers and journalists need to collaborate to...

World AIDS Day: Debunking 4 myths…

Research consistently indicates that individuals, irrespective of their age, gender,...

Fact-check: Japan hasn’t banned BHT due…

BHT is a lab-made chemical that is permitted for use...

World Diabetes Day 2023: Cut down…

About one-fifth of the global burden of type 2 diabetes...

Fact-check: Coconut oil cannot cure Alzheimer’s,…

First Check studied over a dozen research papers published on...

Fact-check: 3 myths about osteoarthritis

Globally, 15% individuals, aged 30 years or older, are affected...

UNESCO unveils action plan to regulate…

The first World Conference of Regulators to be held in...

Fact-check: Emergency contraceptive pills are safe

While they can be a powerful tool of women empowerment,...

Fact-check: Sweet salads don’t impact masculinity

The association of sweets with femininity has historically led to...

Debunking 5 myths on Nipah Virus

In the digital age, information spreads like wildfire, often faster...

Fact-check: Vitamin C can’t ward off…

Vitamin C has long been of interest to medical experts...

Nipah virus infection: 10 facts

It’s important to be informed about the infection; don’t be...

Fact-check: Want to become taller? Ashwagandha…

Height is primarily determined by genetics, and the growth plates...

Fact-check: Papaya seeds not for contraception,…

Studies suggest that it’s best not to consume papaya seeds...

Fact-check: No harm in consuming bananas…

They are good additions to support post-workout recovery for muscle and...

Hypertension affects one in three adults…

The first-of-its-kind, comprehensive analysis finds that currently, only one in...

Fact-check: Dietary choices, physical activity not…

Maintenance of healthy body weight is also affected by one’s...

Fact-check: The link between biodiversity and…

There’s an urgent need to prioritise the health of our...

Fact-check: Irradiated foods are not radioactive

During irradiation, gamma rays, x-rays, or high-energy electrons pass through...

Menopause: Shining light on vital facts

Numerous symptoms attributed to menopause often occur in the perimenopausal...

Fact-check: Can the use of plastic…

The safety of storing food in plastic containers, typically, depends...

Fact-check: 5 common myths about conjunctivitis

Dr Vijitha S Vempuluru, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Ophthalmology, AIIMS...

Fact-check: Higher water intake doesn’t assure…

Overhydration can lead to water poisoning, intoxication, or disruption of...

Fact-check: Alkaline water can’t cure liver…

While there are several claims made about the health benefits...

Fact-check: Debunking 3 myths about veganism

Proteins are not only found in meat and dairy products,...

Fact-check: Almond skins do not cause…

The skin of almonds is rich in fibre due to...

Fact-check: It’s time to rethink diabetes…

Dr Maulik Patel, First Check member and consultant physician from...

First Check bags Global Fact Check…

IFCN awarded 35 organisations serving 45 countries with $25,000 each...

Fact-check : 5 prevalent myths about…

Dr Maneesh Singhal, Professor, and Head of the Department of...

Smoking: Myths vs facts

A scientific look at six common smoking narratives to sift...

Menstrual Hygiene: Debunking 5 common myths

Dr Shehla Jamal, a menstrual health expert from New Delhi,...

Fact-check: Hot water + pineapple ≠…

Bromelain could be a promising therapy for colorectal cancer. However,...

Fact-check: Vaping not a safe alternative…

There are potential long-term health risks associated with the use...

Fact-check: COVID vaccine not the cause…

While there have been reports of adverse reactions to COVID-19...

First Check inducts four new members

The global health fact-checking initiative grows stronger with 53 health...

Bridging the Gap: Making Health Information…

As a verified signatory of IFCN, First Check has been...

‘GPs have a crucial role to…

Dr Siti Fatimah, First Check member and general practitioner from...

Fact-check: Home-made juices no antidote for…

Symptoms of H3N2 infection are similar to those of seasonal...

Fact-check: Soursop not an alternative for…

Although there have been preliminary laboratory trials to test the...

Fact-check: Sambar cannot prevent, cure colon…

The basis of the social media claim is a study...

Fact-check: Juice hacks on Instagram can’t…

Instagram reels can be informative and entertaining, but they also...

Debunking 5 menstruation myths 

This #InternationalWomen’sDay, let’s demystify periods and put the spotlight on...

Fact-check: Do pandemics occur every 100…

Several past pandemics that occurred without such synchrony have gone...

Fact-check: Asafoetida poses health risks for…

Despite its purported health benefits, asafoetida should be consumed with...

The Last of Us: Can fungi…

Changes in the environment and climate, as well as fungicide...

Myth-buster: Consuming fish and milk together…

The chronic, autoimmune disorder characterised by patches of depigmented skin...

Fact-check: Fake WHO post on ‘7…

When the claim went viral in Nigeria in 2020, WHO...

Fact-check: Smoking increases stress 

The effect of the feel-good chemicals released by the brain...

Fact-check: Eating pineapple doesn’t cause miscarriage

No scientific evidence to support causal link between pineapple consumption...

Fact-check: Social media filters can be…

There’s an increase in body-image disorders, such as Snapchat dysmorphia,...

Fact-check: Eating sugar doesn’t cause diabetes

Scientific evidence shows that the link between sugar and diabetes...

Fact-check: Boiled Coca-Cola cannot cure fever,…

In case of fever and cold, it’s best to avoid...

Fact-check: Beauty products, home remedies cannot…

While many factors influence the skin tone, the pigment melanin...

Fact-check: Omicron BA.5 not ‘fatal for…

Hybrid immunity, particularly after BA.1 or BA.2 infection, confers substantial...

Fact-check: Acupressure no remedy for common…

While medical science is yet to find a cure for...

Fact-check: Mud baths not a blanket…

Spas and salons do have mud scrubbing treatments, but they...

Fact-check: St. John’s wort not superior…

It’s understandable that patients would be tempted to prepare the...

Can men get breast cancer?

Biologically, both men and women are born with a small...

Fact-check: Milk + lemon not an…

Patients with haemorrhoids, particularly those with bleeding haemorrhoids, must be...

Fact-check: Ice is not the cure,…

While compulsive ice eating or pagophagia is a health condition...

Fact-check: Indian politician wrongly claims biryani…

Traditionally, spices have been used in the management of male...

Fact-check: Examining the myth about regaining…

Water boiled with groundnuts cannot help you regain your virginity....

Fact-check: Guava leaves cannot cure tumours 

Even if the tumour is benign, there is possibility of...

Fact-check: Chiropractic therapy not a magic…

By Tej Kumar If claims on social media are to...

Fact-check: Liver detoxes are futile

No super foods or special juices can detoxify a human...

Fact Check: Should we take up…

Weird invitations to daredevilry, such as the Ice Bucket Challenge...

Fact-check: No home remedy to unclog…

There is no scientific study to prove that consuming betel...

Fact-check: Monkeypox home remedies don’t hold…

There are multiple YouTube videos on home remedies for Monkeypox,...

Fact-check: No evidence to back unborn…

None of the pseudoscientific procedures help to determine the gender...

Fact-check: Mother’s milk no substitute for…

Vaccines are the most useful and lifesaving inventions in medical...

Fact-Check: Ghee and cow milk do…

On the contrary, some studies say that the consumption of...

International Yoga Day 2022: Busting Yoga…

Misconceptions about yoga hold people back from stepping on the...

Fact-check: Monkeypox is not a skin…

A viral disease, monkeypox currently has no clinically proven cure...

Fact-check: ‘Natural’ remedies can’t cure asthma

Debunking four misleading claims about home-based remedies for the major...

Fact-check: Sunscreens don’t cause cancer

Most of the unfounded fears are essentially about the chemical...

Fact-check: MSG is safe for human…

Despite several claims of adverse health effects of MSG, studies...

Fact-check: ‘Green juice’ cannot cure cancer 

Juicing removes fiber from fruits and veggies; consuming them in...

Fact-check: Vaccinated people are not more…

A tweet claiming that “Government of Canada data shows the...

FACT-CHECK: Decoding the ‘COVID-19 lung’

Various factors affect the lung damage risk in COVID-19 infections...

6 COVID-19 myths that refuse to…

A viral WhatsApp video, circulating in India, peddles old misleading...

AIDS is not a ‘chemical toxin’…

World AIDS Day: Misinformation about the infection continues to spread...

No miracle cures for the heart

YouTube videos advocate easy, home-based remedies that not only promise...

Bottle gourd juice can be toxic

Research has established that consumption of bitter bottle gourd juice...

Smokers beware: No quick fixes to…

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Despite social media posts...

Baseless theories about entry of women…

If social media posts are to be believed, the 2018...

Beware of misleading Instagram posts on…

Under the guise of spreading awareness, unscientific claims – that...

Theories linking women and “sins of…

Absurd theories float around natural calamities that blame females and...

Dismantled: Here’s COVID skeptics proven wrong

Ever since the start of the COVID pandemic, there have...

Bitter gourd juice cannot cure diabetes

Contrary to what viral YouTube videos claim, studies show that...

Factually Speaking: Combating COVID-19 myths in…

A primary healthcare practitioner from the Republic of Congo, Africa,...

Why We Fact-Check Health Misinformation

It is important to focus on the context of online...

Lemons are healthy, but they don’t…

Researchers have been studying anti-carcinogenic properties of limonoids in laboratories...

What The Fact! – Vaccines are…

Get vaccinated at the first opportunity you get. And yes,...

Depression & anxiety: 3 myths about…

Investigating misleading claims made by a viral YouTube video on...

No scientific evidence yet to prove…

Unless there’s solid data from human-centric research on the chemotherapeutic...

COVID-19 vaccines cannot be used to…

Viral Facebook post in multiple South Asian languages falsely claims...

What The Fact! – Conspiracies, Concoctions…

What drives the misinformation ecosystem is the lack of knowledge,...

Debunking three controversial COVID-19 claims

A YouTube channel called ‘Unmask Express’ has been consistently making...

Cow’s heart not used as replacement…

An old Facebook post claiming that a woman’s failing heart...

Delta variant of COVID-19 is not…

A widely circulated WhatsApp forward falsely claims that the Delta...

No evidence to prove that people…

IISER Kolkata clarified that no such evidence has been found...

Vaccines don’t compromise one’s natural immunity