Uncovering the "Overhyped" Skincare Products.

Introduction: The nutritional value of shark fin is like that of pig's trotters, bird's nest is not more nutritious than tofu, protein powder is just soy protein... Knowing the truth, I could cry. These exorbitantly priced health supplements are nowhere near as effective as they are hyped up! Recognize these deceptive and costly foods and stick to "old-school" methods for health.

1. Shark Fin: Nutritional Value Comparable to Pig's Trotters

The main nutrient in shark fin is collagen, but its nutritional value is similar to that of pig's trotters, chicken skin, and fish skin. Scientific research has found that although shark fin is high in collagen, its amino acid profile differs from that of human proteins. The essential amino acids it contains account for only 20.5% of the total amino acids. Furthermore, collagen lacks tryptophan and cannot be converted into a complete protein. In short, shark fin offers no significant nutritional advantage over pig's trotters, yet it is extremely expensive.

Braised Pig's Trotters

2. Bird's Nest: Not More Nutritious than Tofu

The main nutrient in bird's nest is protein, containing one essential amino acid (lysine) and three conditionally essential amino acids. However, the human body requires eight essential amino acids and thirteen conditionally essential ones. Scientific analysis shows that the nutritional components of soy products are similar to those of bird's nest. But soy products also contain substances not found in bird's nest, such as phytoestrogens and soy isoflavones. These hormones can effectively prevent cardiovascular diseases and some malignant tumors.

3. Collagen: Unreliable for Beauty

Fundamental theories in nutrition tell us that you cannot directly supplement a part of your body by eating it. Ingested collagen cannot be directly transported to the skin, so eating collagen does not help the body synthesize its own. Some people see their skin condition improve after taking collagen products. The reason is that these products contain additives like soy isoflavones or soy extracts. Soy isoflavone is a plant estrogen that can significantly improve the skin's moisture retention and elasticity, and it is particularly abundant in soybeans.

Shrimp Tofu

4. Sea Cucumber: Protein Quality Inferior to Eggs

The value of sea cucumber lies in its protein. Protein is classified as high or low quality based on the human body's absorption rate of its amino acids and whether they match the human amino acid pattern. Although sea cucumber has a high protein content, its quality is not high. In comparison, eggs are the food that best matches the human amino acid pattern. Eating sea cucumber is not as good as eating one egg a day, along with some soy products and vegetables. The protein from the latter is far superior in both quality and quantity, and it is more affordable and better value.

5. Fish Oil: Better to Eat Fish Directly

The cardiovascular benefits of fish oil are widely recognized. However, fish oil is derived from fish, and the purification process is unstable. From a health perspective, eating fish is better than taking fish oil. Besides fish oil, fish also provides high-quality protein, vitamins, and trace elements. The saturated fat content in fish is very low, which is highly beneficial for cardiovascular health.

Steamed Sea Bass

6. Protein Powder: Do You Really Need to Supplement Protein?

A 400g can of protein powder sells for two to three hundred yuan, but it is essentially a powder made from purified soy protein, casein, whey protein, or a combination of these. A healthy adult needs 50-70g of protein per day, which is about 10g per kilogram of body weight. This amount of protein can be fully met through a normal diet. Therefore, people with a normal diet and good health do not need to supplement with extra protein.

7. Propolis: Efficacy Not Yet Authoritatively Proven

Propolis is a resinous substance collected by bees from plant buds, mixed with their own secretions, used to build beehives and block bacteria and other foreign invaders. In ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt, propolis was used to heal wounds, reduce inflammation, and for mummification. Many merchants hype propolis as an antibacterial, antiviral, and even an immune-regulating and anti-tumor agent. However, research on the efficacy of propolis has mostly been conducted on animals or cells, and its effects on humans have not yet yielded clear conclusions in medicine.

Honey Lemon Water

8. Enzymes: Not a Magic Weight Loss Solution

The proper term for enzymes is "enzyme." Various biochemical reactions in the human body require enzyme participation, such as lipase for fat burning, which is the theoretical basis for enzyme-based weight loss. However, enzymes must first pass through the stomach, which has a very strong acidic environment. Generally, enzymes cannot withstand such conditions and become inactive. The stomach also contains pepsin, which is adapted to the acidic environment, and the proteases in the small intestine are even more aggressive. The "fat-clearing enzyme" that has lost its complete structure naturally loses its activity and certainly cannot have any weight loss effect.

Homemade Yogurt