Survey reveals that 54% of Americans have tried anti-aging tips and tricks they found on YouTube!
NEW YORK — How obsessed are Americans with remaining young? Enough that two out of five say they’re willing to try a brand-new experimental procedure that doesn’t even exist in order to stave off aging, according to a new study.
A survey of 2,000 respondents asked them to choose options from a list of treatments to help slow aging, only to find out they were willing to try out some completely fictional ones too. When asked to identify real anti-aging procedures, people opted for made-up “Xenon” injections (17%), “stratum fillers” (17%), and even the real, but dubious “young blood” transfusions from the TV show “Silicon Valley” (14%).
Anti-aging misconceptions
Researchers say the results are not surprising, especially when you consider that more than three-quarters of the poll (77%) claim that “aging gracefully” is a major priority for them. In fact, in order to age gracefully, survey takers would consider trying everything from blood masks, to a “vampire facial” and caffeine gel, to self-tanner, flour and vinegar, and even “a lot of sex.”
Do some of these “anti-aging hacks” sound silly? If so, the study says blame the internet. More than half (54%) have tried anti-aging tricks they learned about on YouTube.
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Tru Niagen, the survey also finds people are no less gullible when it comes to nutrition myths. One in five believe if something is “healthy,” it must taste bad. More than one in three think if a food is green, it must be healthy. A quarter of respondents still believe the common misconception that “all carbs are bad for you.”
More than half also think that if they eat something healthy later in the day, they can cancel out the fast food they ate beforehand. Furthermore, just over half of respondents (51%) believe that they can cancel the effects of eating poorly by working out later in the day.
Don’t worry, be happy
Still, two-thirds say they try not to worry about whether their eating habits are healthy at all. Nearly seven in 10 (68%) just want to eat what they want and enjoy it. However, although the average person indulges in fast food or big meals about 12 times a month, they also regret it. In fact, one in four instances of overeating leaves respondents feeling “hungover.”
Three times a month, the average respondent will also reluctantly eat a healthy meal they dislike.
“With so much information to sift through online these days, it’s often difficult to separate fact from fiction. This is particularly true as it applies to health; it’s easy for misinformation to become mainstream,” says Dr. Alyssa Dweck, MS, MD, FACOG and medical advisor to Tru Niagen, in a statement. “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
Thankfully, over seven out of 10 people (74%) would much rather embrace their age than force themselves to look or act younger than they are. Unfortunately, two out of five Americans admit they don’t regularly exercise their mind or body, and don’t get enough sleep.
“Developing long-term healthy habits early on is the most effective way to optimize health and well-being as you age,” Dr. Dweck adds. “Age gracefully by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly and managing stress at each stage of life.”
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