Social Media “Super-Spreaders” of Nutrition Misinformation Risk Public Health for Millions
A joint investigation by Rooted Research Collective and the Freedom Food Alliance has identified 53 social media influencers spreading nutrition advice that conflicts with global public health guidelines. The study estimates that up to 24 million social media users could be exposed to potentially harmful dietary recommendations promoted by these individuals. The report, Nutrition Misinformation in the Digital Age, categorizes these influencers as “super-spreaders,” noting that 87% have no medical or health-related qualifications. Despite this, approximately one in five present themselves as credentialed experts without verifiable evidence. Their content predominantly promotes extreme diets such as carnivore, ketogenic, and raw milk consumption, while often dismissing plant-based diets as harmful or deficient. This runs counter to international recommendations encouraging dietary diversity, moderation, and plant-forward eating patterns with …
