Health fads have been around for centuries, preying on people’s deepest desires— weight loss, eternal youth, or the promise of effortless fitness. The problem? Most of these so-called “miracles” are built on shaky science, outright deception, or a simple misunderstanding of how the human body works.
People have swallowed tapeworm eggs, electroshocked their abs, and smothered themselves in rubber suits—all in pursuit of a quick fix. Some of these scams were outright frauds; others were well-intentioned but completely misguided. And despite the best efforts of regulatory agencies, history keeps repeating itself: new gimmicks pop up, repackaged versions of the same old cons.
Here are some of the weirdest weight-loss trends throughout history.
1. Trim Reducing-Aid Cigarettes
In the 1950s, cigarette companies often positioned smoking as a way to stay thin. One of the more extreme examples was Trim, a brand that claimed smoking at least three cigarettes a day could lead to a 20-pound weight loss in just eight weeks—without any changes to diet or lifestyle. The company promoted its product as “clinically tested and medically approved,” insisting that it worked by suppressing appetite and drying out the mouth.
At the time, these claims may have seemed credible to some. The long-term dangers of smoking weren’t yet widely acknowledged, and weight loss strategies that required little effort were always appealing. Trim was eventually banned in 1958, but the marketing behind it followed a familiar pattern: a product promising quick results, presented as both effective and completely safe.
2. The Vision-Dieter Glasses
In the 1970s, a company claimed their tinted glasses could suppress appetite by making food look unappealing. Supposedly, the colors blue and brown affected hunger signals, and discouraging impulse purchases at the grocery store. The company also claimed that the specific shades of blue and brown used in the lenses contained a “secret European color technology” that could reduce hunger throughout the day.
But because there was no real evidence of effectiveness to support these claims, it left the market just as as they hit due to the FDA removing them. Because, shocker, changing how food looks doesn’t change how hungry you are.
3. Tapeworm Diet
A weight-loss method so grotesque, it sounds like a horror movie. In the early 20th century, people swallowed pills containing live tapeworm eggs. Once inside, the parasite grew, feeding off their food thinking that with a tapeworm consuming a portion of each meal, fewer calories are absorbed, and tapeworm help them “effortlessly” lose weight.
What’s the catch? According to Healthline, you can’t control where it attaches itself, tapeworms don’t just hang out in your stomach, they can migrate to other organs or tissues outside of the digestive tract. Such as the liver, lungs, or braining serious cases.
Still, the appeal of a method that promised effortless results was strong enough to attract interest even in this era. but in its more modern form, it comes in the shape of a pill. Instead of ingesting a fully grown parasite, consumers take a capsule containing a tapeworm egg. Once it hatches, the parasite settles into the digestive system, feeding on whatever the person eats.
It’s why they’re banned by the FDA and why, despite their periodic resurgence, this remains one of the worst weight-loss ideas ever conceived.
4. Diet Patches & Magnetic Weight loss Jewelry
Slap on a patch and let the pounds melt away! Or, wear this magical earring that “stimulates weight loss points” in your body! The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has debunked these gimmicks countless times, but they keep coming back under different names.
The logic behind weight-loss patches makes sense—nicotine patches work, right? But the difference is, nicotine has proven pharmacological effects. Most diet patches contain vague “herbal extracts” that do absolutely nothing. And despite their popularity, they no real evidence to support their effectiveness, they remain unapproved by the FDA due to lack of evidence and potential harm.
5. Vibrating Fat-Burning Machines
The 1950s was when you could sit back, strap yourself to a belt, and let a machine violently shake the fat away. The idea was that the vibrations would “break down” fat cells, making them magically disappear. No sweat, no gym, just effortless jiggle-induced weight loss.
Spoiler: It didn’t work. But the dream of a lazy weight-loss solution never died—just look at modern vibration platforms still being sold today.
6. Lord Byron’s Vinegar
Lord Byron, the romantic poet known for both his literary genius and his unconventional habits, had a rather extreme approach to maintaining his physique. He believed that consuming vinegar daily—and even soaking his food in it—could help control weight. His admirers, eager to emulate his famously gaunt appearance, followed suit, adopting vinegar as part of their own routines.
The idea that vinegar aids in weight loss has lingered over time, with modern versions of the trend still surfacing. While there is some evidence that vinegar might have minor effects on appetite or digestion, its effect is far from dramatic. More than anything, Byron’s method reflected a broader cultural fascination with extreme and often impractical approaches to body image—something that has persisted well beyond his era.
7. Detox Teas (a.k.a. Laxative Teas)
Popularized by influencers and celebrities, detox teas promise to cleanse your system, boost metabolism, give you a flatter stomach and quick weightloss. What they don’t tell you? The weight loss is mostly water weight—and, in some cases, diarrhea-induced dehydration.
Many detox teas contain senna, a natural laxative. While it’s FDA-approved for occasional constipation, long-term use can lead to dependency and digestive issues. If a tea is making you lose weight fast, it’s not fat—it’s just your body getting rid of fluids (and possibly nutrients you actually need).
8. Arsenic Diet Pills
Before its dangers were fully understood, arsenic was used in ways that now seem unthinkable. In the Victorian era, it was found in cosmetics, tonics, and weight-loss pills. People took these pills without knowing exactly what was in them, trusting that they would help control appetite and boost energy.
Arsenic does act as a stimulant in small amounts, which may have given users a temporary feeling of alertness. In theory, that extra energy could lead to more physical activity and a slight increase in calorie burning. But the risks far outweighed any potential benefits. The difference between a dose that stimulated the body and one that caused serious harm was dangerously small. Over time, regular exposure led to symptoms of poisoning—nausea, weakness, and, in extreme cases, organ failure. Looking back, it’s hard to imagine how something so toxic was ever considered a diet aid.
9. Fat-Blocking Pills
Pills that promise to block your body from absorbing fat? Sounds great—until you realize the pills create more problems than they solve. These pills interfere with fat digestion, leading to uncontrollable diarrhea. (Yes, you read that right.)
Beyond the gross factor, blocking fat absorption also means you’re missing out on fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), leading to deficiencies over time.
10. Vulcanized Rubber Weight-Loss Suits
Invented in the 19th century, rubber weight-loss suits were marketed as a way to “sweat out fat.” The logic is to trap body heat, make people sweat, and watch the pounds melt away.
What actually happened? People got dehydrated, overheated, and sometimes developed skin infections. While they may lead to temporary water loss, they do little to change the body in any meaningful way. Modern versions of this still exist—like sauna suits and “waist trainers”—but sweating out water weight isn’t the same as losing fat. The belief that shedding water weight is the same as losing fat has kept these kinds of products on the market for generations, even as their effectiveness remains questionable and dangerous.
11. The Sleeping Beauty Diet
“If you’re unconscious, you can’t eat!” That’s the entire premise of the Sleeping Beauty Diet, first referenced in the 1960s, which involves sedating yourself for extended periods to avoid consuming calories. Some took it a step further, using sedatives, alcohol, or sleeping pills to stay unconscious for as long as possible—sometimes up to 20 hours a day.
Elvis Presley was rumored to have tried this method, reportedly putting himself into a medically induced coma for several days in an attempt to lose weight. While the approach may have led to temporary weight loss simply by preventing eating, it carried obvious risks. Extended sedation comes with serious health consequences, besides being wildly dangerous (muscle loss, slowed metabolism, and the risk of never waking up), this diet is basically just starvation in disguise.
The idea of sleeping through hunger may seem tempting. But beyond the short-term effects, depriving the body of movement, nourishment, and natural sleep patterns does more harm than good. Even with all we now know about nutrition and health, the promise of an easy fix continues to attract followers, even when the risks are clear.
12. Metabolism-Boosting Pills
Pills that claim to speed up metabolism and help burn fat faster have long been a staple in the diet industry. Many of these supplements rely on herbal ingredients, often marketed as natural solutions for weight loss. But while new herbs frequently appear on the market, experts say they are rarely effective—and sometimes even dangerous.
The FDA doesn’t regulate herbal supplements as strictly as prescription drugs, which allows unproven and potentially harmful ingredients to circulate. Two notable examples are ephedra and kava, both of which gained popularity before serious health risks became clear.
Ephedra was once widely used in weight loss supplements, but its stimulant properties made it risky. A chemical relative of methamphetamine, it could raise blood pressure, cause irregular heartbeats, and lead to more severe complications like heart attacks and strokes. In 2004, the FDA banned its sale in dietary supplements in the U.S. due to these dangers.
13. HCG Weight-Loss Injections
HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is actually a fertility treatment according to Mayo Clinic, and its use outside of medical supervision raises concerns. At some point, someone decided injecting it into non-pregnant people could help them shed pounds.
Paired with a 500-calorie-a-day diet (which, let’s be honest, would make anyone lose weight), HCG became a diet craze. But studies repeatedly found HCG does nothing for weight loss. It’s now banned for over-the-counter use, but rumor has it that it hasn’t stopped the demand for it.
14. Ab Glider
The Ab Glider (and its cousin, the Ab Belt) claimed you could get six-pack abs with just a few minutes a day. In reality? The only thing these products gave people was a lighter wallet. It relied on two simple movements—circular and arc burns—that were said to activate core muscles and burn calories quickly.
But in 2014, the Ab Glider became the focus of legal scrutiny. Investigators found that the dramatic transformations shown in advertisements weren’t achieved through the product as advertised. Users featured in the ads had followed strict diets to see results—something that wasn’t disclosed in the marketing. The Federal Trade Commission ruled that these deceptive claims misled consumers, and the manufacturer was ordered to pay $3 million in penalties.
15. Whole-Body Cryotherapy
Standing in a freezing chamber at -200°F is supposed to reduce inflammation, burn calories, and make you feel amazing. While cryotherapy has some benefits (like reducing soreness), the weight-loss claims might just be completely overblown due to little evidence supporting this, according to Healthline.
The Lesson? If It Sounds Too Good to Be True…
Every few years, a new “miracle” health trend pops up, promising effortless weight loss, longevity, or detoxification. And most of the time, ends the same way: exposed as a scam.
No health is achieved through shortcuts, but through sustainable habits. So next time you see a push for a “magic fix,” remember, if it worked, everyone would be on it.
