• UK
  • World
    • USA
  • Entertainment
    • Celeb
    • Showbiz
    • Magazine
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Gaming
  • Tech
  • Science
    • Education
  • Insurance
  • Business
  • Auto
  • ToS/Contact
    • ToS
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
NewsExplored
  • UK
  • World
    • USA
  • Entertainment
    • Celeb
    • Showbiz
    • Magazine
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Gaming
  • Tech
  • Science
    • Education
  • Insurance
  • Business
  • Auto
  • ToS/Contact
    • ToS
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • LinkedIn

  • Tumblr

  • RSS

UK

REVEALED: Online health product reviews are ‘MISLEADING’

REVEALED: Online health product reviews are ‘MISLEADING’
Newsexplored
10th February 2017
ShareTweet
SubscribeRedditGoogleWhatsappStumbleuponPinterestDiggLinkedinTumblrTelegram
Views:
7

ALAMY

A study found online reviews into health products are very misleading

Experts at the University of Aberdeen discovered that customer reviews on shopping websites, such as Amazon, do not provide an accurate reflection of the actual benefits of products.

In the first study to compare clinical trial data with user-generated online reviews, psychologist Dr Mícheál de Barra examined more than 1,600 online reviews of weight loss pills and high cholesterol treatments on Amazon.

He found the reviews portrayed the products in a far more positive light than clinical trial data would suggest.

Related articles

  • Health Warning: Vegan diet could be BAD for you
  • CEREAL HEALTH WARNING: Salt cut by half but sugar levels 'still HIGH'

The reputation as described in these reviews is much more positive than the clinical trial data show

Dr Mícheál de Barra

The specialist discovered that the average drop in cholesterol using Benecol was more than three times larger in Amazon reviews than found in carefully controlled trials.

Similarly, reviewers on weight loss pill Orlistat lost about twice as much (14kg) as those in clinical trials (7kg).

Dr de Barra, who has an interest in historical and contemporary inaccurate medical beliefs, said: “These treatments are not entirely ineffective. However, what we show is that the reputation as described in these reviews is much more positive than the clinical trial data show."

University of AberdeenGETTY

data-ad-format="auto">

Experts at the University of Aberdeen discovered that customer reviews are not accurate

The psychologist said exaggerated reviews were not a deliberate attempt to mislead but were a result of a bias towards sharing positive outcomes rather than negative.

He continued: “Only some people who try a treatment will then go on to tell other people about their experience. However, this subset of people are usually only those who have good outcomes.

“So you hear a friend of yours had a good result using a treatment of some kind, and you think, ‘well, maybe this works’.


“Your friend is probably not lying but the problem is people with average or poor outcomes don’t tend to share their experiences. This means you get a positively skewed view of the treatment.”

10 common health myths Thu, November 10, 2016

Here are 10 common health myths that most people think are true.

Common health myths Getty 1 of 11

Common health myths and old wives' tales

Dr de Barra urged consumers to be careful when considering reviews of health products.

He added: “We should be cautious about using reviews like these when deciding about health choices.

These narratives have a powerful influence on our own future health behaviour because they provide simple and clear anecdotes.

“But this study shows that they can be very misleading.

“These results also shine a new light on medical overuse, the use of treatments that are unnecessary and ineffective.

Man on his laptopGETTY

Woman on her laptopGETTY

Exaggerated reviews are a result of a bias towards sharing positive outcomes rather than negative

“Medical overuse is estimated to cost $226billion in the US, and patient demand for medicines with limited value is one important cause.

“This study shows how a demand for ineffective medicines can easily develop when people rely on hearsay and narratives alone.

“It is ridiculous to think that every health decision will be informed by systematic reviews. People have lives to lead. This study shows, though, that it’s important to be aware of the biases that can make informally acquired information unreliable.”

The study was published in the journal Social Science & Medicine.

Related articles

  • Young people in UK come near bottom in mental well-being poll
  • How SLEEP can help you lose weight
  • GERM WARNING: Bacteria 'HIBERNATE to overcome antibiotic treatments'

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Skype (Opens in new window)

Related

Related Items
UK
10th February 2017
Newsexplored @newsexploredweb

Related Items

More in UK

  • Read More
    Princess Latifa urges UK police to reopen sister’s kidnap case

    Views:7 By Jane McMullenBBC News image copyrightSUPPLIED image captionPrincess Shamsa fled her father’s estate in the summer...

    Newsexplored 10th February 2017
  • Read More
    Covid-19: A-level and GCSE results to be decided by teachers

    Views:7 By Sean CoughlanBBC News family and education correspondent image copyrightGetty Images image captionThere will be optional...

    Newsexplored 10th February 2017
  • Read More
    Newspaper headlines: Teachers get ‘sweeping powers’ and Sunak’s ‘giveaway’

    Views:7 By BBC NewsStaff image captionMany of the papers focus on new rules to be announced on...

    Newsexplored 10th February 2017
  • Read More
    Covid-19: ‘Getting married is the most important thing’

    Views:7 By Kate Scotter and Phil ShepkaBBC News, East image copyrightBushfire Photography image captionIt is hoped all...

    Newsexplored 10th February 2017
  • Read More
    Neil Lennon: Celtic manager resigns with side 18 points adrift of Rangers

    Views:7 Celtic manager Neil Lennon has resigned with his side 18 points adrift of Rangers in the...

    Newsexplored 10th February 2017
  • Read More
    Newspaper headlines: ‘Faster path to freedom’ and stamp duty ‘to be extended’

    Views:7 By BBC NewsStaff image captionWednesday’s front pages continue to focus on how the UK will emerge...

    Newsexplored 10th February 2017
  • Read More
    Does Wales have a roadmap out of lockdown?

    Views:7 image copyrightGetty Images image captionThe latest lockdown started in Wales just before Christmas It is “impossible”...

    Newsexplored 10th February 2017
  • Read More
    Ex- Man Utd defender McQueen diagnosed with dementia

    Views:7 Gordon McQueen won the FA Cup with Manchester United in 1983 Former Scotland, Manchester United and...

    Newsexplored 10th February 2017
  • Read More
    Scotland’s papers: Salmond ‘conspiracy’ and the ‘road to freedom’

    Views:7 image captionThe Scotsman leads with Alex Salmond’s written evidence to the Holyrood inquiry into the Scottish...

    Newsexplored 10th February 2017
  • Read More
    Newspaper headlines: ‘Midsummer’s dream’ and ‘118 days until freedom’

    Views:7 By BBC NewsStaff image captionTuesday’s front pages are dominated by the prime minister’s plan to ease...

    Newsexplored 10th February 2017
  • Read More
    Covid: ‘It is important that this is the last lockdown’

    Views:7 By Laurence Cawley and Sonia WatsonBBC News, Essex Published 53 minutes ago Related Topics image captionJulie...

    Newsexplored 10th February 2017
  • Read More
    Covid: ‘Children really need to get back into school’

    Views:7 By Craig Lewis and Ben SchofieldBBC News, East of England image captionHead teacher of Jeavons Wood...

    Newsexplored 10th February 2017
Scroll for more
Tap
data-ad-format="auto">
NewsExplored

NewsExplored - Making sure all the latest news is explored?

Contact us for help

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • Comments

  • Transfer rumours: Kounde, Haaland, Bremer, Neuhaus, Balogun, Ziyech, Raphinha
    Sports13th February 2021
  • Joe Biden: The team he hopes can fix the US economy
    USA27th January 2021
  • Station reopening at Bow Street brings first trains for 56 years
    UK14th February 2021
  • Manchester United 3-3 Everton: Dominic Calvert-Lewin scores late goal to deny hosts
    Sports6th February 2021
  • Biden’s Covid stimulus plan: It costs $2tn but what’s in it?
    USA24th February 2021
  • Tiger Woods suffers ‘multiple leg injuries’ in Los Angeles car crash
    USA23rd February 2021
  • Nasa’s Perseverance rover in ‘great shape’ after Mars landing
    USA19th February 2021
  • Serena Williams leaves news conference in tears
    USA18th February 2021
  • Les Rehrer says:

    Hello Its me :P and thanks for this post

  • optumrx login says:

    Thank For News.

  • Kent Laatsch says:

    Please let me know if you're looking for a writer…

  • Bob says:

    RT News was where I learned that Erdogan controlled isis.…

Copyright © 2018 Top News Theme. Theme by MVP Themes, powered by Wordpress.

Looking for love this Valentine’s! Seals cuddle up in ADORABLE pictures
Clive Lewis ‘gauging support among MPs to OUST Jeremy Corbyn as leader’, says report
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok