Half a cup of sugar a day? Scientists take on the latest controversial health trend
Leanne found fame eating 50 bananas a day. Now she eats sugar
- Leanne Ratcliffe, known as Freelee the BananaGirl, is now promoting white sugar, claiming it is "sun crystals" and beneficial for the body, despite official health guidelines recommending strict limits.
- Ratcliffe gained internet fame in the 2010s for her fruitarian "Raw Till 4 Diet," which involved consuming large quantities of fruit, including up to 51 bananas a day.
- Her controversial health claims, including past criticisms of chemotherapy and suggestions about menstruation, have consistently been debunked by medical professionals.
- Health experts, such as Professor Sandra Sunram-Lea and registered dietitian Aisling Pigott, strongly refute Ratcliffe's sugar claims, warning of potential health damages like type 2 diabetes and dental issues from excessive consumption.
- Ratcliffe's case is an example of a broader trend of health misinformation spread by influencers, despite a general decline in public trust in such figures.