Energy Drinks Seen Fuelling Cancer, But There's a Strange Catch
But as the market grows, so do concerns about what's actually in these drinks – and what these ingredients might be doing to our bodies.
Many energy drinks contain some combination of three familiar stimulants: caffeine, found naturally in coffee, tea and cacao; guarana, an Amazonian plant rich in caffeine; and taurine, a naturally occurring amino acid found in scallops, mussels, turkey and chicken.
Related:
Taurine, in particular, has drawn both hype and hope. It is credited with performance-enhancing properties and potential health benefits. But new research is raising important questions about how it behaves in the body – and when it might do more harm than good.
In May 2025, a study published in Nature sparked headlines and unease in equal measure. It found that taurine may fuel the progression of leukaemia, a group of blood cancers that begin in the bone marrow.
The study showed that while healthy bone marrow cells naturally produce taurine, leukaemia cells cannot. But they can absorb taurine from their surroundings and use it as a fuel source to grow and multiply.
Research on mice and in human leukaemia cell samples demonstrated that taurine in the tumour microenvironment – the area around a tumour that includes blood vessels, immune cells and structural support – accelerated the progression of leukaemia.
Crucially, when researchers blocked taurine uptake by leukaemia cells (using genetic techniques), cancer progression slowed significantly. The authors suggest taurine supplements could potentially worsen outcomes in people with leukaemia and propose that developing targeted ways to block taurine uptake by cancer cells might offer a new treatment strategy.
Taurine: friend or foe?
Taurine is one of the most abundant free amino acids in the human body, found in especially high concentrations in the heart, muscles and brain. In healthy people, it's mainly obtained through diet, but the body can also synthesise taurine from the amino acids methionine and cysteine, provided it has enough vitamin B6, which is found in foods such as salmon, tuna, chicken, bananas and milk.
Most people consuming a typical western diet take in 40mg–400mg of taurine a day from food alone. This figure refers only to taurine that is directly ingested, not including the additional amount the body can synthesise internally, which may vary depending on age, diet and health.
Taurine is listed on the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) generally recognised as safe (GRAS) database, and according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), it's safe to consume up to six grams per day. By comparison, a serving of Red Bull or Monster contains around one gram – comfortably below that threshold.
Despite recent concerns about a possible link to blood cancer progression, taurine isn't inherently harmful. In fact, some people may benefit from supplementation, especially those receiving long-term parenteral nutrition, where nutrients are delivered directly into the bloodstream because the gut isn't working properly.
People with chronic liver, kidney or heart failure may also have trouble producing or holding on to enough taurine, making supplementation helpful in specific clinical settings.
Ironically, some research suggests taurine may actually help reduce the side effects of chemotherapy in leukaemia patients – even as emerging studies raise concerns that it could also fuel the disease.
This contradiction underscores how much context matters: the effects of taurine depend not just on dosage and delivery, but also on the patient's underlying condition. What helps in one context, could harm in another.
But here's the catch: taking taurine as a supplement for particular health reasons is very different from consuming large quantities through energy drinks, which often combine taurine with high levels of caffeine and sugar.
This combination can put strain on the heart, interfere with sleep and increase the risk of side effects, particularly for people with underlying health conditions or those taking other stimulants.
The latest research raises important questions about whether taurine-heavy products could be harmful in some cases, especially for people with, or at risk of, blood cancers.
So, should you worry?
According to the current evidence, if you're a healthy adult who occasionally sips an energy drink, there's little cause for alarm. But moderation is key.
Consuming multiple high-taurine drinks daily or taking taurine supplements (without prior professional consultation), on top of a taurine-rich diet might not be wise, especially if future research confirms links between taurine and cancer progression.
Until more is known, the safest approach would be to enjoy your energy boosts by consuming a nutritious diet rather than consuming energy drinks. If you have any underlying health conditions – or a family history of cancer – it's always best to consult a healthcare professional before diving into taurine supplementation or consumption of energy drinks.
Gulshanara (Rumy) Begum, Senior Lecturer in Nutrition & Exercise Science, University of Westminster
This article is republished from under a Creative Commons license. Read the .
Related News
Study of 1.2 Million Children Finds No Risk From Common Vaccine Additive
Signs of Autism Could Be Encoded in The Way You Walk
It's True: Soup Can Help You Recover Faster From Colds And Flus
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Chicago Tribune
an hour ago
- Chicago Tribune
Dr. Cory Franklin: Why the US is better than Europe at preventing heat deaths
When it comes to reporting on the comparative health of nations, there is ample bias in the national and international press about American shortcomings. Some of it is justified — disproportionate numbers of obesity and firearm deaths are usually cited by medical and nonmedical sources, as well as the relatively high infant mortality. But no less important are environmental deaths, specifically those related to hot and cold weather, which are rarely cited. The U.S. figures are far more impressive than those of the rest of the industrialized world, and it is inarguable that this country does a much better job of preventing heat and cold deaths than Europe does. First, heat deaths: Comparisons of heat deaths between countries are limited because numbers vary according to how heat deaths are defined, the differences in weather and patient characteristics in various countries, and the sources of the data. The numbers here are a compendium from several sources including Lancet, Nature and several public health and weather websites; mileage may vary. Taking all this into account, the difference in annual heat deaths between Europe and the U.S. is surprising: In the 21st century, European heat deaths on average range from 60 to 200 per 1 million people annually, while American heat deaths average about three to eight per million annually. This means, conservatively, each year, perhaps 20 times as many people die of the heat in Europe as in the U.S. A graphic example: During the recent European heat wave that began in May, one country, Spain, experienced 1,180 deaths in only two months. The data from deaths due to cold weather are even more sobering. Even with a warming Earth, cold continues to kill more people than heat in most parts of the world where there is any kind of cold winter. In Europe, there are 300 to 500 deaths per million due to cold annually in the past three decades, while in the U.S., the number of deaths from cold is in the range of 10 per million. So a conservative estimate would be that for every person who dies as a result of cold weather in the U.S., at least 30 die in Europe. When deaths from heat and cold are combined, Europe has close to 50 times as many deaths as the U.S. — as many as 250,000 to 500,000 more deaths every year. Over a decade, this means several million more people die from heat and cold in Europe than die in the U.S. from those causes. A comparison of the annual numbers shows that the difference in environmental deaths easily surpasses the much more widely reported firearm death comparison. The U.S. has nearly 50,000 firearm deaths annually, and Europe has under 10,000, so the difference in firearm deaths, roughly 40,000, is about 1/10th the difference in environmental deaths. Why is there such a difference in environmental deaths between the U.S. and Europe? The consensus among experts regarding heat deaths is the ubiquity of air conditioning in the U.S. and the relative paucity in Europe. (The majority of deaths in Spain during the May-June heat wave were in the north of the country, where air conditioning is uncommon compared with in the south.) Besides providing comfort, air conditioning saves lives — often many — especially if air conditioning could be made more available in the Global South, where there are even more deaths due to hot weather. Despite the consensus, some environmentalists want to limit air conditioning, citing increased electricity use and carbon dioxide production, which will aggravate greenhouse gas emissions. (In 2022, Spain was one of the countries that put restrictions on air conditioning.) The response to climate change must involve a combination of mitigation, such as reducing levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gases and adaptation — that is, adapting to the consequences of a warming environment. According to Hannah Ritchie, deputy editor of the Our World in Data website, air conditioning currently accounts for about 7% of global electricity use and 3% of carbon dioxide emissions — not negligible but certainly not exorbitant considering how many lives cooling technology saves. While worldwide air conditioning use is expected to increase in the next decade, so is the efficiency of air conditioning units. Air conditioning represents one of the most effective and lifesaving methods of adaptation to a changing climate. The reasons for increased cold weather deaths in Europe relative to the U.S. are harder to divine, but likely include the ubiquity of older homes with poorer insulation throughout Europe. Outside of Scandinavia, there may be less preparedness and an aging population more vulnerable to cold weather snaps on the European continent. Human-made efforts to reduce greenhouse gases are essential, but human-made efforts to adapt to weather extremes would have lifesaving consequences more immediately. Dr. Cory Franklin is a retired intensive care physician and the author of 'The COVID Diaries 2020-2024: Anatomy of a Contagion as it Happened.'


Buzz Feed
9 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
33 Products You'll Want For Your Embarrassing Problems
A teeth-whitening pen if you want a brighter smile without the irritation of whitening strips that slip and slide all over your teeth. You can use each pen ~20 times and should expect your teeth to lighten four to eight shades. Promising review: "I have only used the two original pens that I purchased and can already see an improvement. I am older than 60 and drink coffee daily and red wine weekly." —vicki houskaGet a two-pack from Amazon for $18.95 (also available individually and in packs of four). A set of Kegel weights to not only help with incontinence but also potentially make sex easier, less painful, and more enjoyable. These are especially great for people who've just given birth, though anyone can benefit from strengthening their pelvic floor muscles. Read more about Kegel exercises at Cleveland review: "Since starting, my bladder control has significantly improved. I am now able to sneeze or cough without peeing myself. Yes, that's right. I am able to hold my pee longer, which means I can actually make it to the bathroom without dribbling on myself. The best part is that just a few short weeks into the program, you will have results you can feel. I think every woman who has ever had kids should try this out. The overall quality of my life has improved. Ditch your panty liners, stop the embarrassing dribbles, and no more mad dashes to the restroom because of a weak bladder. Even my sex life has improved; I have control of those pelvic muscles now. Just remember to wash the weights before and after each use with an antibacterial spray, and allow time to air dry before putting them away. I say air dry because if you wipe them dry with a cloth, you run the risk of giving yourself a bladder infection or urinary tract infection, and those are no laughing matter. Easy to use, easy to clean, stores away quickly." —Lady TauberGet a set of six weights from Amazon for $49.99. An eco-friendly hard water stain-remover that'll help you wipe away soap scum and residue in your shower in half the time it normally takes you to clean. It's biodegradable, so the scent won't singe your nose hairs and make you gag. Plus, it's safe enough to use on just about anything — including shower glass, tile, granite, stainless steel, marble, brass, and porcelain. Promising review: "I am amazed!!!! I bought this product because of the reviews, and wow!!! I just bought my home, and my water is from a new well, which stained my toilets and I was so embarrassed when anyone would go to a brand new house with a dirty, stained toilet, but this did the job!!!! I have used many products, and this worked perfectly!!! You need to do a bit of scrubbing, but it's all worth it. Extremely happy with the results!!!" —Luis RoqueGet it from Amazon for $19.99. Some acne patches for those days when a pimple pops up at the *worst* possible moment. They absorb all the gunk lurking in your whiteheads and create a barrier to prevent you from picking or popping. And they're sheer enough that you can wear them out in public. A Squatty Potty, because a bout of constipation shouldn't leave you down in the ~dumps~. Squatting changes the angle of your anal canal, opening it up so it's easier for things to exit. Read more about constipation relief at home, including using a squatting position, at Cleveland review: "I have known about this product for years since seeing it on Shark Tank. I know lots of people who use it and always thought to myself, 'I don't have problems, so I don't need it.' Well, a pelvic physical therapist suggested it to me to help with my issue with a large prostate. The results are pretty amazing, not only for the issue I had but for clearing my bowels, which was an issue I didn't think I had a problem with. The best thing is that I used to wait until I couldn't hold it any longer. When using this product, I can go even if I don't feel an urgent urge. I strongly recommend it!" —L HudsonIf you want more Squatty Potty content before making the best purchase of your life, check out our Squatty Potty it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in two sizes). A Tushy 3.0 bidet attachment if you want to pamper your patootie. Not only will it help you use less TP, but it also just leaves you feeling cleaner after you go. Promising review: "How have I gone so long living like a barbarian, wiping my dirty bottom with the ground up corpses of dead conifers?! I can't go back! I won't go back!" —Cale it from Amazon and Tushy for $129+ (available in nine colors). And don't forget a before-you-go toilet spray to hide any evidence. Even if you're one of those weirdly confident people who can poop in a house full of people without issue, having this in your bathroom for others can calm nervous pooers. Promising review: "New Year's Day 2019 I wake up at my friend's house after a night of partying to the smell of fresh coffee and bacon frying in the kitchen. So I get up and say good morning to everyone, get me some coffee, and think to myself, 'Hey! The entire house smells like bacon. It's probably an opportune time for me to 'drop the kids off at the pool' because no one will notice anything I'm making in the bathroom over what Michelle is making in her kitchen.' Anyway, I look on top of the bowl and there's this stuff. For added protection against embarrassment, I pump a couple of sprays into the bowl and do my stuff. Yup now I totally smell bacon and oranges, but not a whiff of anything else that might cause my friends to ask me if I need to see a doctor or something. So now I keep a bottle with me just in case I'm in one of those situations when I have, you know, a brown dog scratching at the back door, but don't want anyone to know that I'm letting him out." —D. Grieco it from Amazon for $4.99+ (available in a variety of sizes). A cuticle oil that'll restore your shredded nails after a gel mani. A combination of sweet almond oil, vitamin E, and jojoba softens the cuticle and strengthens your claws so you'll be proud to show them off. A tonsil stone remover so you can *finally* treat the root cause of your bad breath. This tool has a built-in LED light so you can easily locate the tonsil stone. Plus it also comes with a syringe to help you wash out the pocket the tonsil stone left behind. If you suspect you have tonsil stones (also called tonsilloliths), talk to your dentist or doctor! They can perform a physical exam or imaging scan and deliver a review: "I'm in my early 30s and just started getting tonsil stones. Until a few months ago, I never even knew what these things were! I've been struggling with cotton swabs to fully remove the stones, but couldn't get rid of them, and they would just come back within the week. I received this and investment ever. No struggle holding my phone as a flashlight while awkwardly posing myself in front of my badly lit bathroom mirror. I sat comfortably at my vanity, used one hand, and removed the whole stone in less than a minute. Why did I not know this was a thing? Why have I been struggling? Get it! Stop struggling, suffering, and awkwardly dealing with this ridiculous me." —WrenGet it from Amazon for $9.93+ (available in two colors and a two-pack). A jetted tub cleaner, because who knows when the last time you cleaned it was. (I hate to break it to you, but you're probably chillaxing in dirty water.) This cleanser is made to flush out soap scum, body oils, and those black flakes that gunk up your tub's jets. Promising review: "They don't call this Oh Yuk! for no reason. I previously used Jacuzzi's two-part system, and this worked sooo much better. I was totally embarrassed, not to mention grossed out, at how much funk came out. It was NASTY! It definitely cleans your tub. You will probably have to clean the sides of your tub after it's finished because of how much stuff might come out. I swear I clean my tub on a regular basis, but I was amazed at how much better this worked. Highly recommend!" —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $18.73. A pack of dishwasher cleaning tablets if you're a little embarrassed every time you hand your guest a cloudy glass. These tablets dissolve hard water buildup and limescale so your dishes and cups emerge sparkling and clean. A Home Chef subscription to make cooking dinner fun, exciting, and easy. No more sad bowls of ramen or aimlessly walking down aisles at the grocery store waiting for dinner inspiration to hit! We're talking Instagram-worthy meals that are as affordable as they are delicious and all the ingredients you need shipped straight to your door. Some foaming toilet tablets that'll make your dream of never having to touch a dirty toilet brush again a reality. It's basically a sanitizing bath bomb that disinfects your toilet. A pumice cleaning stone for powering through tough rust, lime, and calcium streaks you have to explain to your S.O. are not poop stains — you swear! Give your tired arms a break and let this little guy scrub away discoloration with ease. This non-toxic cleaner is tough on dirt but gentle on porcelain so you can sit atop the listening throne you deserve. Promising review: "I have very hard water that leaves hard-water buildup and nasty stains. It's embarrassing to have guests over because the toilets are so gross! I have tried so many products and cleaning solutions — from natural essential oils to harsh chemicals so strong I was lightheaded for the rest of the day. Well, I tried out this pumice stone after reading about it in a BuzzFeed article, and honestly, the hype is real! It does take some elbow grease, but the after picture is from only 20 minutes of scrubbing, light enough that I didn't break a sweat! The stone does get used up, but I think this one should last me a couple of years at least. So if you have embarrassing toilets, try this!" —Stephanie RayGet it from Amazon for $11.99. A foot file so your heels are in sandal-ready condition. Rub gently and watch the dead skin and calluses fall like shredded cheese to reveal baby soft heels. Promising review: "I'm not one to talk about my feet. I've had circulation problems for years that are just now resolving, and that has led to deep calluses on the heel of both feet. I bought this on a whim as I have tried other products in the past with no luck. Twenty minutes later, I'm touching baby-smooth skin where there used to be deep cracks and rough broken skin. This thing is a miracle-worker, and if I could rate it 10 stars, I would." —Gully176Get it from Amazon for $9.95. A pack of earbud cleaners because you wanna clearly hear your true crime podcast. Squish the flexible square into your AirPods, peel it off, and gasp in horror at the ear goop that's been dulling the sound quality. That photo! That goop! Promising review: "I never usually write reviews but this is an exception. I've had my AirPods for over a year and when the sound quality was diminishing, I was afraid they had a short life expectancy and I would need to get a new pair! Even after using cotton buds to clean the AirPods out, I thought that was enough until my friend said there's stuff built up and hard to see, but there was nothing able to get it out! Enter this product — it literally took five minutes to clean each ear bud effectively and instantly the sound quality was as good as new! Loud, clear, less trouble connecting to my phone, etc. I really suggest giving this product. You don't need a full square to clean them, so you can pull a piece off or reuse a square with a side you haven't used! SO happy I found a solution!" —Amazon CustomerGet 12 from Amazon for $15.99. A TubShroom if your relaxing showers have turned into you standing in a puddle of water for 15 minutes because the drain is This little guy snags the hair you shed before it can collect in the pipes. Promising review: "I have long hair and recently had a baby. This means the poor tub drain is getting clogged every time we turn around, and we're spending ridiculous amounts of time with that spiky stick thing you shove down there and then pull out over and over. I figured if this even worked to catch half of my hair, then it would be worth its salt. Holy moly. When they say it catches every hair, they aren't kidding. We clean it off about twice A WEEK! And when they say it's easy to clean, they are right again. A swipe with toilet paper and the hair blob comes right off to be flushed down the toilet. I've already told so many people about this product because I love it so much. Fantastic!!!" —sasamoGet it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in five colors and in packs of two). A tube of antiperspirant hand cream to dry your hands if you suffer from hyperhidrosis (excess sweating), or if you're just nervous! Promising review: "I used this product on my 10-year-old son. He sweats A LOT on his hands. He would tell me that he was embarrassed at school and he had problems making friends. My son told me he had never shaken a hand outside of mine ever before in his life. It broke me. As a father, I knew I had to fix this. I set up an appointment with his doctor and got nowhere. The doctor said it's normal and should go away in the coming years. I asked about surgery and they said it would be around $10,000, so I started saving. Couple weeks went by and I came across this product I asked my son if he was OK with trying it and he desperately said yes. We put it on, and his hands are completely dry now. When it worked, he started practicing shaking hands and high-fives with his brother. It's been two weeks now, and it is working AMAZING." —HECTOR LORENZOGet it from Amazon for $19.95 (available in three scents and multi-packs). A collagen-coating hair treatment that's safe for all hair types and will revitalize a dry, damaged, and overprocessed mane overnight. This reparative five-minute hair mask will revive your mane and leave it soft, silky, and smooth. An antifungal tea tree balm for treating basically any somewhat embarrassing skin condition you can think of: athlete's foot, ringworm, jock itch, and even just dry skin. Promising review: "I ordered this balm on a whim as a remedy for a skin rash, and was very impressed with its effectiveness! After getting rid of my rash, I decided to try it elsewhere, and it worked wonders on dry skin areas like elbows, knees, and feet. I was blown away by how I changed my feet entirely! As a dancer, my feet have always been a war zone: dry skin, calluses, ingrown toenails, and athlete's foot (all frequent problems over the course of many years). I was always embarrassed to wear sandals or any type of shoes that would show off parts of my feet because of all the dry skin, but sometimes it couldn't be avoided. This balm has made my feet the loveliest they have been, and now I can choose any type of shoes I want to wear without embarrassment." —anengstromGet it from Amazon for $36.33. A box of wart-removing pads that you apply like bandages so you can be rid of your extra growth. Be gone, appendage! Promising review: "This stuff works! I've never had a wart in my life! At first, I thought it was a small callus, but as months went by, it was getting larger. I started to Google and realized I had a plantar wart on my thumb! Eww, embarrassing! So I got the freeze off and thought, 'This has to work!' Nope! I tried the freeze off three times and nothing! I then realized the same thing was happening on my other thumb, a small callus, but I knew that the wart had spread! Now I was desperate to get rid of them and knew I had waited too long! Bought the invisible strips and it removed my small wart in four days and my big wart in eight!! I couldn't believe it. I left strips on for two days, then pulled back the dead skin with a cuticle clipper and reapplied! My bigger wart was a little tougher to remove, and I had irritated my skin trying to cut it out, so I left it alone for a few days before reapplying the strip. By the second 48-hour treatment, it was gone! I thought my skin would be damaged, but it looks like nothing was ever there!" —Audrey 14 pads from Amazon for $7.29+ (available in two styles and in larger packs). A tub of brightening, firming, and rejuvenating eye cream because you're tired of your mom constantly asking you, "Are you getting enough sleep?" on your weekly FaceTime, even though she should darn well know that your dark circles are hereditary (thnx a lot, Mom!). Promising review: "This is the second review I've done on Amazon. I rarely go out of my way to write a review unless I'm truly amazed by the product. I have terrible sunken-in eyes (due to genetics) that can't really be fixed without fillers (which I'd never do). No matter how much sleep I get, I have bad dark circles, so I decided that I had to invest in an eye cream. I'm so glad I did! I used a cheap drugstore eye cream that really only made it look like I had water under my eyes, and it did nothing else. This eye cream is so hydrating and smooth! It really evens out my skin tone and wakes up my face in the morning! I feel so refreshed and dare I It's boosted my confidence a ton. I'm so happy with this product!" —casie ackermanGet it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in three sizes). A grout paint pen to cover up the mortifyingly large amount of dirt and grime that has fallen into the cracks. It works like a regular marker, so even the people who failed art can use it. And it beats actually having to clean! 🙃 Promising review: "I don't hate my old tile as much! My husband and I renovated our ground level into an entertaining area. The tile, on the other hand, was old and just would have cost way too much money to pull up. Needless to say, the area came out amazing. Now I don't hate the tile because the grout was so dirty, and I could not get it clean as much. I highly recommend this product. Now, when I walk downstairs, I don't cringe looking at the floor anymore. I will purchase another pen or two just to go over it later on. I'm not embarrassed by my floors anymore." —LUCYANNGet it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in two tip widths and a variety of colors). A bottle of dentist-approved mouthwash for helping reduce the severity of your swamp breath, whether it's caused by a medical issue or because you just drank coffee and orange juice. This one's made sans alcohol, so it won't burn when you swish it around your mouth. Promising review: "Why didn't I find it before? It's very embarrassing to admit, but I had very stinky breath. It did smell like s..t and I tried many products that didn't work. Just follow instructions and 'deep throat' gargle for 30 seconds or so for best results. I can say that my breath has improved by 50%, which is a huge huge difference. Morning breath is not as bad. I can talk to people with confidence and that all it counts. Thank you Amazon!!!" —Shopper5Get a pack of two from Amazon for $ You can learn more by reading my colleague's in-depth TheraBreath oral rinse deep dive. A natural shoe deodorizer spray so you don't have to wash your feet the minute you get home to get rid of the funk from your work flats. It's made with essential oils and smells like lemon and eucalyptus so you'll probably want to spray it around the rest of your house, too. Promising review: "This product WORKS! You won't be disappointed. I used to get embarrassed taking off my flats in my office because they smelled so bad, but not anymore! My work flats make my feet sweaty, and this spray helps keep the awful odors away at least four to five days (probably longer, but I was so excited I just sprayed my shoes again because I liked the smell haha!) The lemon is strong and the eucalyptus I love, so I would purchase again! Although it will likely last a while! I have a little boy who gets sweaty feet also, so I'm sure I'll soon be using this in his shoes also." —Traeannah BrownGet it from Amazon for $14.95 (available in three scents). A denture cleaner because, despite brushing your retainer each night, it's somehow coated in some weird white film. These fizzing tablets will blast away odor-causing bacteria, discoloration, and plaque from your Invisalign, retainers, dentures, night guards, and more. A box of extra strength Gas-X chewables if you know you should avoid dairy but your Friday night plans include mac 'n' cheese, nachos, and ice cream. Promising review: "Sometimes you eat something that is too rich on an empty stomach and wham — the pain, the bloating, the weird weird noises start. And then if you have this, within minutes, it helps relieve the gas, bloating, and discomfort. Taking this is nothing to be ashamed about; it happens to everyone whether they like to admit it or not." —MusicLoverGet a pack of 72 chewable tablets from Amazon for $14.48. A stainless-steel tongue scraper to banish bad bacteria and improve stinky breath. This way you won't suffer the embarrassment of someone offering you a breath mint. A pack of Schick dermaplaning razors that'll evict any unwanted stray hairs and help you conquer your fear caused by accidentally shaving off half your eyebrow in middle school, thanks to its precision cover. These itty bitty razors are great for stashing in your purse for touch-ups on the go. Promising review: "I'm a hairy gal. Hormonal problems ruled out by my physician; it's just hereditary. My cheeks, neck, forehead, and chin are covered in a fine ever-growing peach fuzz. If I cease shaving, I shall acquire a boat and thus forth be dubbed blonde beard. My mustache is darker and thicker, something I think a lot of women experience. I have been shaving for a while with a men's razor (Gillette Fusion ProGlide for reference) and shaving cream but it just couldn't give me a close enough shave. ENTER SCHICK SILK TOUCH-UP! Holy wow! I've been dry shaving my entire face and some of my neck with these and no irritation, plus it is the closest shave I have gotten. No pulling or scraping like other 'mini razors.' It's quicker than doing what I call a 'dad shave' in the shower, and I can see what I'm shaving because I'm at my makeup table and there's no shaving cream obstructing my view (I don't want to accidentally hack off the hair by my ears or forehead). Plus, I compared this to other (what I call) mini razors and it's twice the size. So very efficient for doing your whole face, easy for detailing those brows. I love this product and hope that they sell it forever. It works on my peach fuzz, mustache, and brows. If I ever get word that they are going to stop making them, I will hoard them all." —Dr. Eleanor AbernathyGet a pack of three from Amazon for $5.94 (or Subscribe & Save for $5.64/month). A clay mask for vacuuming the gunk out of your pores. It may also help reduce the frequency of your breakouts and soften your skin. Promising review: "I bought this as a last hope for cystic acne. I bought raw apple cider vinegar with the mother to mix with the clay powder because I heard that worked best for people experiencing skin problems. My skin has been a rollercoaster for the past five years. But recently, things have gotten really out of control. My self-esteem is the lowest it's been. This mask had been such a lifesaver. I'm not sure words can describe how impressed I am with this healing clay mask. Since my skin has been through hell and I've literally tried everything, it's pretty resilient, so I've been using this mask every night for the last four days. It's not nearly as drying as I thought it would be, so that hasn't been an issue. But the mask has dried up everything, and I have no new breakouts. I was so happy that I cried. If I could give this product a million stars, I would!" —Afton StAmourGet it from Amazon for $ our Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay deep dive and discover more of its many uses. A bottle of dandruff shampoo so you can banish white flakes from your scalp. It's made with ketoconazole 1%, an antifungal ingredient that'll tell your dandruff it's no longer welcome here. Read more about ketoconazole shampoo at Cleveland review: "MIRACLE PRODUCT! If you have a flaky scalp from dandruff, BUY THIS. I was about to go to the dermatologist if this stuff didn't work. Thank goodness I saved myself hundreds of dollars by giving this product a shot. I used it four of five times (over a month) and it cleared my scalp almost completely. One more use and my scalp will be 120% healed! This stuff blew my mind. Totally worth it." —chrisGet it from Amazon for $15.88. An odor-eliminating spray because you're pretty sure your houseguests think your living room smells like cat pee (you definitely think so!) since your kitty urinates in the same corner. This'll lift stains and odors fast. Plus, each spray releases bacteria that feed on the ammonia left behind after your pet's accidents, eliminating the urine completely and deterring your pet from peeing in the same spot again. Promising review: "I have six elderly cats, and a few of them oftentimes leave smelly pee puddles to register their disdain at whatever cats get 'peed off' about. It's not a litter box problem, and, although I've caught one or two of them doing it, I can't blame them all. This product works great on fresh messes as well as dried ones. After blotting up fresh pee pods, I saturate the area with Rocco & Roxie's odor remover and let it dry. For dried stinky stuff, I just saturate the area and let it dry. It has a pleasant odor and completely eliminates the ammonia odor. Believe me, I've tried all kinds of products, and this one works the best. I buy gallons now just to have on hand. It's better than smelling that awful pee!" —mona miaGet it from Amazon for $20.39+ (available in two scents). A pack of gas-neutralizing pads if your farts smell worse than the dog's (and the dog eats poop!). Each antimicrobial activated charcoal pad traps foul-smelling gas molecules so toxic toots are a thing of the past. Promising review: "My significant other has a butt that wants to violently suffocate everyone. This was originally a gag (pun intended) gift but, when used, it actually worked. Most, if not all, of the smell went away with the particularly terrible poots. We joke that we should get some more." —SunshineGet a pack of five from Amazon for $12.99.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Fact Check: Watch out for videos of ginormous anacondas in Amazon River
Claim: A series of videos shows massive, real-life anacondas swimming through the Amazon River. Rating: In July 2025, several videos began circulating across social media platforms, allegedly showing aerial footage of gigantic anacondas slithering through the Amazon River. These videos, some of which received millions of views, appeared to show unnaturally large snakes moving through dense jungle waterways. One TikTok post (archived) with the footage gained over 36 million views on TikTok. Similar videos spread across platforms including Instagram, Facebook, X and Reddit. However, these videos did not depict real-life events. They were created using AI video generation tools, most likely Sora, a text-to-video model developed by OpenAI. Many of the clips included a subtle watermark in the bottom-right corner indicating the use of such a tool. Additionally, no reputable news agencies or wildlife organizations reported any recent sightings of extraordinarily large anacondas in the Amazon River. While green anacondas (Eunectes murinus) are indeed among the largest snakes in the world and inhabit the region, the ones shown in these videos are far larger than any known specimen, and clearly fabricated. As such, we have rated these videos as fake. Wave of AI anaconda videos spreads online The TikTok profile (archived) @ which had over 387,300 followers as of this writing, featured dozens of AI-generated videos, many of which depicted surreal wildlife scenes, such as giant anacondas in the Amazon rain forest (see screenshot below). (TikTok user @ One of the user's TikTok videos (archived) reached over 12 million views, with a caption reading: During a routine surveillance mission over the Amazon River, a military helicopter crew spotted something unbelievable — a massive black anaconda gliding through the jungle waters. The size and speed of the serpent stunned the crew, and the footage is sending chills across the internet!Was this just a freak encounter… or is something colossal lurking in the Amazon depths? The description further stated 📍Location: Amazon River Basin 🎥 Type: AI-generated concept" and featured "#AIConcept" hashtag, among other ones. While this video at least included the disclosure that it was AI-generated, many viewers seemed to take it at face value, expressing shock and belief in the video's authenticity. Most other viral versions of the footage, however, lacked any disclaimer or context indicating they were AI-generated. Additionally, the clips featured a subtle OpenAI Blossom logo watermark in the bottom-right corner, indicating they were created using the AI video generator Sora (see image below). (TikTok use @ Illustration) The TikTok user confirmed personally creating all the videos using the AI tool Sora, consistent with the watermarks visible in the clips. The videos also displayed several telltale signs of being artificially created. For example, the massive snakes appeared to float on the surface of the water without interacting realistically with their surroundings. What's more, the textures of the snakes' skin and the water looked unnatural and overly smooth, lacking the detail and complexity seen in real footage. Finally, no reputable media outlets reported any verified sightings of such creatures, and the snakes depicted in the videos were of a size far beyond anything known to science. While real green anacondas are among the biggest snakes on Earth, the exaggerated scale shown in these AI-generated clips indicated they were entirely fabricated. (Don't) do it yourself To test how easily such viral snake videos could be created, we used Sora. With just a simple prompt, reading: " "generate a video, a view from above, pretty high, showing multiple anacondas in amazon river," we were able to produce a video that closely resembled the viral videos circulating online. (Sora) The videos were created in under a minute, with no need for editing software or wildlife knowledge. Notably, this was done with a very basic, first-try prompt. With just a little more effort, such as specifying camera movement, lighting, environmental effects, or more natural snake behavior, the results could be made even more realistic and harder to distinguish from genuine footage. For reference, here's a video of a real anaconda: We regularly debunk AI-generated content, including a recent rumor claiming that "The Simpsons" predicted a July 2025 scandal in which a kiss cam at a Coldplay concert allegedly caught a tech CEO cheating with the company's chief people officer. - YouTube. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025. AI Generated Content Articles | Accessed 23 Jul. 2025. Esposito, Joey. "Did 'The Simpsons' Predict Coldplay Kiss Cam Scandal?" Snopes, 21 Jul. 2025, "Green Anaconda, Facts and Information." Animals, 13 Jun. 2025, OpenAI. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025. Sora: Creating Video from Text. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.