TikTok users claim that sticking a regular tot in your sock overnight helps flush toxins out of your body.
CHARLOTTE, NC — As of Friday, Mecklenburg County is in the highest category for the spread of COVID-19. The flu remains in the very high category of these diseases as well, and with the common cold many are resorting to home remedies. Millions on social media see one particular woman’s story that saying that sticking a potato in your sock overnight helps eliminate disease and flush out the toxins in your body.
Tiktok users claim that putting a regular tot in your sock overnight helps flush toxins out of your body. Basically they say cut a potato and put a slice in each sock and that will help eliminate diseases.
THE QUESTION:
Can sleeping with a potato in your sock ward off viruses?
OUR SOURCES:
THE ANSWER:
No, sleeping with a potato in your sock will not ward off viruses.
WHAT WE FOUND:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries
After searching online for medical literature on the subject, we couldn’t find any clear evidence that a sliced potato in your sock would cure a virus.
dr Karla Robinson said that’s because there aren’t any.
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“There’s not a lot of evidence that potatoes are effective at drawing out toxins or helping you get over a cold faster,” said Dr. Robinson.
TikTok users claim that the potato turns black in the morning, an indication of the toxins coming out of your body. However, according to the Idaho Potato Commission, a sliced raw potato will darken when exposed to air. That’s because it goes through a process called oxidation.
“It’s not really an indication that toxins are being removed from your body, more of a reaction taking place inside the potato,” said Dr. Robinson.
Despite the TikTok connection, this isn’t a new cure, but rather an old wives’ tale dating back to the Middle Ages when many people believed it could protect you from the bubonic plague. Some historians say it may also date back to ancient Chinese medicine.
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“I don’t think it will do you any harm, but it probably won’t bring many benefits,” said Dr. Robinson
The Mayo Clinic said the best home remedies when you’re sick are to drink plenty of fluids, rest, and eat some soup; You can even have a potato soup.
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TO VERIFY is dedicated to helping the public distinguish between true and false information. The VERIFY team uses audience-submitted questions to track the spread of stories or claims that need clarification or correction. Got something you want VERIFIED? Write to us at 704-329-3600 or visit TO VERIFY.
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