The Salt Water Flush: Understanding The Risks Behind This Viral Health Trend

The latest health trend to take over social media involves chugging salt water to release "toxins," but experts say the fad is dubious at best—and could even be dangerous. As health enthusiasts flock to platforms like TikTok to share their experiences, the salt water flush has gained traction, with claims of weight loss and detoxification flooding our feeds. However, the buzz around this practice raises significant concerns regarding its safety and efficacy.

Proponents of the "salt water flush" have flooded social media with stories of debloating and weight loss. Olivia Hedlund, who calls herself a "Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner" (FNTP) on TikTok, posted a tutorial aimed at sending people to the bathroom more often. She describes the process: "Salt water flush: 32 ounces of lukewarm water, a teaspoon or two of good sea salt. You wake up, you chug it, you lay down for 30 minutes and then you have to go to the bathroom. You feel yourself going to the bathroom, that's how you flush your system."

Actress Amanda Jones documented herself trying the flush in a TikTok video that has garnered 2.8 million views. "It worked—fully, it worked," said Jones. Another TikToker claimed to have lost four pounds immediately after her salt water-induced bowel movements. The dramatic results have captivated many viewers, leading them to consider trying this method themselves.

However, Abbey Sharp, a Registered Dietician who uses her TikTok platform to debunk "wellness culture" myths, warns against this practice. She stated that this kind of cleanse has traditionally been used as an alternative to colonoscopy prep. "I think that’s probably where it originated from—people knew that this will literally 'clear you out,'" said Sharp. "People these days are quite obsessed with the idea of gut health, obsessed with anti-bloating, and about losing weight fast ultimately."

While the flush may induce bowel movements, Sharp emphasizes that it does not release any toxins. The average person does not need to push out toxins through increased bowel movements, and if someone has a legitimate blockage, they should seek help from a medical provider, not attempt a salt water flush.

When you add all this salt to your bowels, it draws the water into the bowels, and then you’re also drinking a liter of water with it. It’s just going to blast everything out the other end. I say it’s like napalm for your bowels," said Sharp. "It’s not going to feel good." Although your system will be cleared out, there are many dangers involved. The rapid loss of sodium and fluid can increase your risk of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

Individuals with preexisting heart disease, kidney disease, and diabetes face even higher risks from the loss of sodium and electrolytes. The general healthy population can also suffer long-term risks from repeated use of the salt water flush. If we're constantly forcing content out of our bowels rapidly, we’re going to change the composition or balance of our gut microbiome. This could put our gut health in jeopardy because we’d be flushing out a lot of the good bacteria in our gut.

A medically reviewed article in Medical News Today has found that there is "limited if any scientific evidence" to support the use of saline flushes, as the body is naturally able to cleanse itself. Although researchers said the salt water flush is "relatively safe," common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and weakness. Sharp advises individuals to think twice before following any health advice on TikTok, emphasizing the need to consult with a healthcare provider, ideally a dietitian, who can help support individual needs.