A new trend on TikTok, viewed hundred of millions of times, shows users freezing plastic water bottles filled with honey or corn syrup overnight to give the sweetener a more solid texture. Then influencers slowly squeeze out the thickened honey or corn syrup and appear to eat large amounts.
While honey has a small amount of nutrients, it is also very high in sugar and contains calories. Corn syrup offers little in the way of nutrients but is loaded with sugar and calories. Like all sweets, both are meant to be eaten in moderation, not in excessive amounts.
This latest TikTok trend is creating health concerns for some who have experienced side effects from consuming large amounts of frozen sweeteners such as dizziness, stomach cramping, damaged teeth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, elevated blood sugar, and in rare cases botulism.
TikTok has become a tremendous source of entertainment and information during the pandemic. But on the flip side, TikTok has also become a source of dangerous viral fads and misinformation that threaten the safety of people, especially kids, who are more susceptible to participating in what appears to be a mindless trend that could actually harm them.
