Nayanthara faces criticism for health claims on hibiscus tea

Nayanthara recently faced criticism from hepatologist Cyriac Abby Philips, known as "The Liver Doc" on social media, for making unverified health claims about hibiscus tea.

The controversy arose after Nayanthara posted, and later deleted, a message on social media promoting hibiscus tea.

In her post, she claimed that the tea is beneficial for the monsoon season, rich in vitamins, and has antibacterial properties that help prevent seasonal infections. She also encouraged followers to seek the recipe from nutritionist Munmun Ganeriwal.

Philips criticized the post, arguing that Nayanthara's claims were not scientifically supported.

He stated that if she had only praised the tea's taste, it would have been acceptable, but criticized her for attributing health benefits such as aiding in diabetes, high blood pressure, acne, and flu prevention to the tea without evidence. Philips highlighted the need for stricter regulations on health claims made by celebrities and emphasized the importance of evidence-based medical advice.

After the post was removed, Philips pointed out the absence of an apology from Nayanthara, likening the situation to a "surgical strike on public health." He called for laws to hold celebrities accountable for spreading misinformation and to empower registered medical practitioners to provide accurate health education.

In what many interpreted as a response to the criticism, Nayanthara later shared a quote by Mark Twain, saying, “Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.” This quote was widely seen as a veiled reply to Philips' comments.