After Samantha, The Liver Doc goes after Nayanthara for sharing health benefits of hibiscus tea

Popular actress and ‘Lady Superstar’ Nayanthara recently landed in hot water after promoting the supposed health benefits of hibiscus tea on social media — and not just any hot water, it was the boiling indignation of The Liver Doc. Her post, which has since been deleted, touted the beverage as a cure-all for everything from diabetes to acne, and inevitably caught the attention of famous hepatologist Dr Cyriac Abby Philips.

For the unversed, The Liver Doc is known for fighting misinformation around health using his social media presence. He recently got into something of an altercation with another South Indian actress, Samantha Ruth Prabhu. The latter shared the benefits of hydrogen peroxide nebulisation on her Instagram handle, claiming that it had helped her in her struggle with her health conditions. This did not go down well with the hepatologist, who called her a ‘health illiterate’ and the doctors she had cited “frauds and businessmen”.
Now, Nayanthara praised hibiscus tea for its supposed anti-oxidant properties and ability to combat various health issues, including diabetes and heart-related ailments. Let’s just say that Dr Cyriac did not hold back in his response this time, either.

"Absolute BS, bordering on quackery"

Criticising Nayanthara for misleading her millions of followers, The Liver Doc called the claims about hibiscus tea "absolute BS, bordering on quackery." He pointed out that none of the actress' claims have been scientifically proven.

Dr Cyriac also clarified that there are different types of hibiscus, and the one Nayanthara was likely referring to (Hibiscus sabdariffa) has no proven health benefits. He cautioned against confusing it with another type (Hibiscus Macranthus) that might have some benefits for men, but is not well-studied.

He expressed concern about the long-term effects of consuming large amounts of hibiscus tea, particularly for men and women of reproductive age. The lack of safety data prompted him to advise people to avoid it altogether. He also took a jab at Ayurveda, criticising the "absurd and unscientific theory of hot and cold foods."

Nayanthara has since taken down the post.

Calling out promotional posts

Dr Cyriac's critique extended beyond the tea itself. Nayanthara even promoted her "celebrity nutritionist," Munmun Ganeriwal, who claims to be the world's only "gut microbiome specialist" using a blend of Ayurveda and modern science. And The Liver Doc cast doubt on the qualifications of Nayanthara's nutritionist, questioning the legitimacy and the supposed ability to combine ancient practices with modern science to cure diseases.

“It also seems like the post was an advertisement for her "celebrity nutritionist",” he wrote in his long rant on X (formerly Twitter).

Munmun Ganeriwal also has other famous clients, with Vigenh Sivan, director and Nayan’s husband, being one of them. Other celebrities that are a part of Munmun’s clientele include Taapsee Pannu, Rakul Preet Singh, Ekta Kapoor and Anupama Chopra.

To establish his own credibility, Dr Cyriac highlighted his expertise in gut microbiome modulation and his work at the Liver Institute, known for pioneering stool transplants and microbiome treatments for severe liver diseases.

Dr Cyriac's message is clear: when it comes to your health, trust real doctors with evidence-based advice. Be wary of celebrity endorsements and unproven claims, especially when it comes to miracle cures and fad diets. The next time you see a health tip online, remember, a little research can go a long way.