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Will the real political pundit please stand up & the bleach tea diet trend

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. t-please-stand-up-the-bleach-tea-diet-trend.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, October 29th 2025 at 11:07 GMT by ThePrint
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The Rise and Risks of “Bleach Tea”: How a Dangerous Trend Became Political Propaganda

In a satirical yet sharply observant piece for The Print, the author takes aim at a disturbing confluence of celebrity culture, political rhetoric, and a toxic health trend that has gained traction on Indian social media. The article, titled “Will the real political pundit please stand up: the bleach tea diet trend,” dissects the viral spread of a concoction known as “bleach tea” and exposes how several high‑profile political commentators have, deliberately or not, amplified its popularity.

What Is “Bleach Tea” and Where Did It Come From?

Bleach tea is a mixture of diluted household bleach, water, and often a splash of lemon or other flavorings. Advocates claim it can “cleanse” the body, boost immunity, or even act as a prophylactic against viral infections such as COVID‑19. The trend first appeared on TikTok and other short‑form video platforms in late 2022, where users posted quick videos demonstrating the preparation and claiming dramatic health benefits.

The author references a 2023 Hindustan Times piece that traced the phenomenon back to a fringe Indian health blogger who started a viral “detox” challenge on Instagram. That blogger’s videos were picked up by a handful of YouTubers, and the trend spread like wildfire. By the spring of 2024, the videos had amassed millions of views, with many users reporting adverse reactions, including mouth and throat irritation, and in severe cases, chemical burns.

Political Pundits Step In

The article’s core investigation concerns the role of several popular political commentators—most notably the outspoken right‑wing analyst Rahul Sharma and the centrist TV pundit Meera Patel—who began to share and endorse bleach tea on their shows and social media accounts. The author documents two key moments:

1. Rahul Sharma’s “Health” Segment (March 2024) – In a 30‑minute segment on his flagship program, Sharma touted bleach tea as a “low‑cost, high‑efficacy” solution to “clean our nation’s health.” He claimed that the drink had “proven clinical trials” conducted in rural India, a statement that was later debunked by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

2. Meera Patel’s Twitter Thread (April 2024) – Patel tweeted a link to a TikTok video of a bleach tea experiment, accompanied by the caption, “If you’re serious about wellness, this is a game‑changer.” The tweet sparked a viral thread that was shared by thousands of her followers, many of whom were unaware of the risks involved.

The author highlights that these pundits, who traditionally focus on policy debates rather than dietary advice, used their platforms to legitimize a harmful trend, thereby amplifying its reach.

The Health Backlash

Following the pundits’ endorsements, the Indian Ministry of Health issued a public warning in early May 2024. The warning—linked directly from The Print—included a graphic from the Ministry’s website that detailed the dangers of ingesting bleach. The advisory cited:

• Chemical Burns: Ingestion can cause severe irritation and burns to the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, and esophagus.
• Systemic Toxicity: Diluted bleach can still reach lethal levels, especially if consumed in large quantities or repeatedly over time.
• Misleading “Detox” Claims: No credible evidence supports the claim that bleach can detoxify the body or prevent viral infections.

The article quotes Dr. Anjali Nair, a toxicologist at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), who explained that the human body is not designed to metabolize sodium hypochlorite, the active ingredient in household bleach. She emphasized that even low concentrations can be dangerous if ingested.

The Social Media Response

A significant portion of the article is dedicated to how the trend spread across platforms. The author examines the role of algorithmic amplification, noting that TikTok’s “For You” page tends to prioritize short, sensational content. In an interview with The Print, a TikTok content analyst explained that the bleach tea videos were frequently featured in the “health hacks” section, which exposed a broader audience to the risky practice.

Furthermore, the article links to a YouTube video titled “Bleach Tea Explained – The Risks & Myths” from a well‑known science communicator. That video, which garnered over a million views, systematically debunked the bleach tea myth and explained the science behind chemical toxicity.

The Broader Implication: Politics, Misinformation, and Public Health

The author argues that the bleach tea trend is a case study in how political figures can unintentionally—or deliberately—become conduits for health misinformation. The piece references the 2021 “Clean India” campaign, which, while well‑meaning, inadvertently allowed certain pseudo‑science narratives to flourish among grassroots activists. The article stresses that when political pundits present themselves as health experts, they carry a responsibility that extends beyond policy and into public safety.

The piece also touches on the legal landscape. A link is provided to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, which outlines regulations on unapproved health claims. It notes that while social media influencers currently operate in a grey area, there is growing pressure from regulatory bodies to clamp down on misleading health content.

Conclusion

The article ends on a sober note, urging readers to remain skeptical of viral health trends, especially those that involve ingesting chemicals. It calls for tighter regulation of health claims on social media, greater accountability for political figures who disseminate misinformation, and a more robust public health education system that can counteract such dangerous fads.

In sum, “Will the real political pundit please stand up: the bleach tea diet trend” is a thorough exposé that blends investigative journalism with a timely public health warning. It reminds us that in an era of instant information, the line between entertainment and danger can blur, and it is up to both authorities and citizens to enforce it.