Cardiologist Warning on Natural Foods and Miraculous Mixtures
Cardiology specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çağlar Özmen emphasized that widespread beliefs that natural foods such as vinegar, garlic extract, and lemon clear blocked arteries have no scientific basis.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çağlar Özmen, a faculty member in the Department of Cardiology at Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine Balcalı Hospital, warned citizens, stating that beliefs that natural foods such as vinegar, garlic extract, lemon water, honey, molasses, and black cumin clear clogged heart arteries or lower cholesterol and blood sugar have no scientific validity.
Beliefs Without Scientific Basis
Stating that there is a widespread belief in society that drinking vinegar water treats blockages in heart vessels, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çağlar Özmen stated that this situation has no scientific validity.
The Real Function of Foods
Emphasizing that foods such as vinegar, garlic extract, and lemon water should not be considered as medicines, the expert noted that these foods can be part of a balanced diet, but they do not clear heart vessels or lower cholesterol.
The Place of Garlic Extract
Noting that garlic extract can be included among dietary supplements in the treatment of high blood pressure and high cholesterol in America, Özmen reminded that these substances can never replace prescription medications given by doctors.
Risks of Honey and Molasses
Stating that honey and molasses, which are thought to regulate blood sugar, actually have a high sugar content, Özmen conveyed that excessive consumption of these foods by individuals with diabetes and weight problems can create an adverse effect.
The Black Cumin Misconception
Expressing that the idea that black cumin has a cholesterol-lowering effect is also not true, Özmen said that just because a food is called natural does not mean it should be consumed in large amounts or that it always provides benefits.
The Danger of Discontinuing Medication in Chronic Patients
It was underlined that patients with hypertension and high cholesterol, in particular, stopping their medications and turning exclusively to natural products carries very serious risks.
Consequences of Untreated Diseases
It was stated that failing to treat chronic diseases can lead to major health problems such as blood clots in the brain, brain hemorrhage, uncontrolled hypertension, and coronary artery blockages.