Does Eating Cotton Balls Help You Lose Weight

Over the years, people have tried some crazy (and dangerous) things in the name of weight loss. Cotton balls are just one of the latest.

In the cotton ball diet, those in search of a smaller waistline eat cotton balls soaked in juice to curb their appetite and dramatically cut their daily calorie intake. But eating cotton balls isn’t just unappetizing. It’s potentially deadly.

According to news sources, the cotton ball diet trend emerged in the modeling industry, where women are encouraged to stay dangerously thin in the name of fashion. Eating cotton balls flavored with juice can help them feel full without consuming food.

What Is The Cotton Ball Diet?

Eating cotton balls — or any nonfood item — in an effort to lose weight isn’t a diet. It’s disordered eating. And like eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia, and bingeing, the cotton ball diet comes with serious potential health risks.

Eating disorders typically stem from body dissatisfaction. Nearly half of people treated for eating disorders are also living with mood disorders such as depression, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. In other words, people who use approaches like the cotton ball diet could be dealing with some mental health conditions.

Extreme dieting always comes with risks. The cotton ball diet is certainly no exception. Here are just four ways it can cause you significant harm.

Cotton Ball Diet Is As Dangerous As It Sounds

Your body can’t digest cotton balls, so they’ll remain in your stomach or intestines. They may mix with mucus and other food particles, creating a mass known as a bezoar.

An intestinal obstruction prevents food and liquids from passing through. Left untreated, it can lead to the death of healthy tissues and infection. An intestinal obstruction is a medical emergency. Bezoars must be surgically removed.

An eating and psychological disorder, anorexia nervosa involves an extreme fear of gaining weight. People with anorexia will go to potentially deadly extremes in order to lose weight and keep it off. This includes starvation by a diet of cotton balls.

From Eating Cotton Balls To Tape Worms: A Short History Of Dieting Fads Over The Years

Among mental disorders, eating disorders have one of the highest death rates. According to the National Institute of Health, the death rate for anorexia is

Cotton balls aren’t pure cotton, picked off an organically grown plant. The fibers are often processed with bleach and other chemicals. This processing results in the creation of dioxins.

, dioxins that come naturally through the food chain can lead to reproduction and developmental problems. They may also disrupt hormones, damage immune function, and even cause cancer. Dioxins are particularly dangerous because they’re chemically stable and can remain in the body for 7 to 11 years.

Are There Any Success Stories Of Cotton Ball Diet?

While many of us consume some dioxins by eating animal products, the level of dioxins consumed in the cotton ball diet is likely much higher.

Long-term weight loss and maintenance can be achieved through a healthy diet and regular exercise. The cotton ball diet isn’t only a bad weight loss approach, but a potentially deadly one.

Has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

All About The Cotton Ball Diet And Its Effects On Your Health

Among mental disorders, eating disorders have one of the highest death rates. According to the National Institute of Health, the death rate for anorexia is

Cotton balls aren’t pure cotton, picked off an organically grown plant. The fibers are often processed with bleach and other chemicals. This processing results in the creation of dioxins.

, dioxins that come naturally through the food chain can lead to reproduction and developmental problems. They may also disrupt hormones, damage immune function, and even cause cancer. Dioxins are particularly dangerous because they’re chemically stable and can remain in the body for 7 to 11 years.

Are There Any Success Stories Of Cotton Ball Diet?

While many of us consume some dioxins by eating animal products, the level of dioxins consumed in the cotton ball diet is likely much higher.

Long-term weight loss and maintenance can be achieved through a healthy diet and regular exercise. The cotton ball diet isn’t only a bad weight loss approach, but a potentially deadly one.

Has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

All About The Cotton Ball Diet And Its Effects On Your Health