Food advice online is rarely in short supply, but some voices inevitably cut through more than others.
In between viral recipes, supermarket finds, and celebrity fridge tours, short clips offering health guidance continue to rack up hundreds of thousands, or even millions of views.
That’s been the case with a video that has recently resurfaced on TikTok, featuring a US-based cardiac surgeon outlining the foods he personally avoids, filmed simply and delivered without theatrics.
The surgeon, Dr Jeremy London, begins by setting out his premise: “4 foods that I avoid as a cardiac surgeon.”
Fast food
The first on his list is fast food. He says: “Number one, fast food; Well, the name says it all, right?” before describing much of what’s on offer as ‘edible food product’.
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He added: “It's not even real food.” It’s a familiar criticism, echoing broader concerns about ultra-processed foods, which have been repeatedly linked to higher rates of obesity and cardiovascular disease, as noted by The Daily Mail.
Soft drinks
He then turns his attention to drinks, singling out soft drinks in all forms. He says: “Number two, soft drinks — and yes, both diet and regular soft drinks: liquid death. Don't drink 'em.”
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While sugary, fizzy drinks have long been associated with weight gain and metabolic issues, artificial sweeteners have also come under scrutiny. Large observational studies, such as one conducted by UCI Health, have found that people consuming higher amounts of sweeteners such as aspartame and sucralose had a higher risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease. However, researchers stress that these findings do not prove cause and effect.
Milk-based products
Third on his list are milk products. He says: “Number, three milk products. Now check this out: we are the only mammals that drink milk outside of infancy and we drink it from a different species. Think about it.”
This one is especially mixed, since dairy remains one of the most debated areas in nutrition. For instance, long-term cohort research following adults for decades has found no clear link between total dairy intake and heart disease, with some data — like a new study about dairy intake added to The Journal of Nutrition — even suggesting that whole-fat dairy is not associated with higher levels of coronary artery calcification, a marker of atherosclerosis.
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Alcohol
The final item he mentions is alcohol, and this is where Dr London gets especially blunt, saying: “Number four: alcohol. Alcohol is absolutely toxic to every cell in our bodies, even moderate or occasional use is, in fact, detrimental.”
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In recent years, major health organisations have shifted their stance on alcohol, noting that even low levels of consumption increase cancer risk and that no amount can be considered completely safe.
He closes the video with a broader reflection on lifestyle choices, noting: “So, if we are working so hard to optimise our health, the least you could do is stop actively poisoning your body.”
Ben Williams