Beijing: In the relentless pursuit of quick weight loss, social media users in China have latched onto a shocking new fad: the ‘Cling Wrap Diet’.
Videos showing people wrapping their mouths with plastic film, chewing food, and spitting it out without swallowing are racking up millions of views on platforms like TikTok, Douyin, and X, touted as a clever hack to fool the brain into feeling full while dodging calories.
Proponents claim this method satisfies cravings without adding to the waistline, as the food never enters the digestive system. But what looks like a harmless prank is drawing sharp criticism from health professionals for its potential dangers.
Dr Kapil Sharma, group director of gastroenterology at Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital in Faridabad, dismisses the trend outright. “There is no scientific evidence that chewing food without swallowing aids weight loss,” he warns. “Calories only impact the body when absorbed. Moreover, plastic wrap poses a suffocation risk, and microplastics could irritate the digestive tract.”
Echoing these concerns, clinical psychologist Dr Muniya Bhattacharya calls it a gateway to eating disorders. “This behaviour instills fear and guilt around food, distorting natural hunger cues and body-image perceptions,” she says. “It’s especially harmful for teenagers and vulnerable individuals.”
Experts caution that true weight management stems from balanced diets and exercise, not viral shortcuts that could cause long-term physical and mental harm. Always consult a doctor before trying unverified hacks.