TikTok is full of diffferent diet trends and weightloss tips, and people have started drinking castor oil in a new bid to lose weight – but what is it, and is it safe to do so?
With new trends popping up daily, TikTok can be a useful way to learn new hacks, skills and information – but how much can we, and should we, trust the advice on there?
TikTokers have been sharing the latest viral weight loss movement, which involves drinking castor oil in a bid to help lose weight.
If you type “castor oil” into TikTok you will be overloaded with different ways to use it, with many people rubbing over their stomachs or belly buttons to help reduce bloating, or piling it on their faces before bed to wake up with dewy skin. However, some are taking it one step further and are now drinking it to help lose weight.
The viral TikTok trend has over 100,000 posts, and many people are jumping on the bandwagon to try and lose weight, but some experts have warned this may not be the best way to shed the pounds. The thick, odourless oil is a vegetable oil that comes from the castor bean plant – a flowering plant that is common in eastern parts of the world.
The oil is made by cold-pressing seeds of the castor bean plant and has been around since ancient times as a natural medicine, so it’s not something new and has been used for hundreds of years as a laxative. However, it is pretty potent, and most people see the benefits from just one teaspoon around six hours later.
According to Healthline, researchers have found that ricinoleic acid, the main fatty acid in castor oil, helps your bowel muscles to contract. Similarly, this has the same effect on the uterus and can be used to induce labour.
While some people swear by it to help lose weight, experts at Healthline aren’t convinced. Even though people have suggested that the laxative effect of castor oil can aid in weight loss, the experts claim: “While no studies have specifically examined the effects of castor oil on weight loss, the oil likely relieves constipation, which can result in weight loss.
“Keep in mind, though, that if you lose weight from relieving constipation, it may merely be the result of removing waste from your digestive system — waste that your body would already be getting rid of. Aside from relieving constipation, no evidence suggests that castor oil has any direct or indirect ability to aid in weight loss, such as by increasing metabolism or decreasing hunger.”
Not only does it work as a laxative, the oil is rich in fatty acids which means it has beneficial moisturising qualities and helps to keep skin hydrated. It works to trap moisture keeping skin soft and smooth. It’s also used in a lot of cosmetic products such as lotion, lip balm and makeup to help promote hydration.
But, Jane Clarke, an incontinence nurse at ConfidenceClub warned that ingesting even small amounts of castor oil can lead to violent diarrhoea. “In the past, castor oil was used medicinally as a laxative to cure constipation, and to induce labour in overdue expectant mothers,” she said.
“However, it is no longer recommended for these purposes due to safety concerns. The fact is, in 2024 we don’t need to rely on the same laxatives that the ancient Egyptians needed to, medicine has moved on and we now have safer options.”
Jane said that wellbeing influencers on TikTok “love to praise the oil”, and say that drinking it will help “magically detoxify your body and lose weight, with some even making outlandish offers it can cure cancer.” But the nurse said none of these are true.
“Instead these wild claims are a combination of outdated advice, folklore and influencers trying to make money on the platform by selling castor oil-based health products or supplements,” and reinstated that drinking it won’t help you lose weight.
“In reality, consuming castor oil can cause violent diarrhoea – even in small doses. In large doses, it can cause abdominal cramps, potential electrolyte imbalances, potential dehydration from prolonged diarrhoea, and nausea and vomiting. For this reason, despite what TikTok influencers would have you believe, it is advisable to avoid ingesting castor oil altogether.”
Experts also issued some advisories for people taking it. They said it shouldn’t be “taken in the long term” as over time it can reduce the muscle tone in your intestines and lead to chronic constipation”. If you continue to have constipation, consider speaking with a doctor instead.
It’s also important to note that some people may also experience negative side effects from drinking castor oil. It’s not recommended for everyone including:
- Pregnant people, castor oil can cause the uterus to contract.
- Regular use in children under age 12.
- Those with certain health conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and appendicitis.
- For adults over 60, castor oil may worsen bowel problems.
Despite there being no true evidence to support the benefits of using it for weight loss, the oil has many other uses and benefits. These include:
- Wound healing
- Hair health
- Pain relief
- Acne relief
Do you have a story to share? Email niamh.kirk@reachplc.com
