A new Cleveland Clinic survey finds that while a majority of men say they never trust health information shared by influencers, they are still being influenced.
Of those polled, 39% say they have tried a health or wellness trend after seeing it on social media.
“We’re really getting exposed to a lot of things on social media. We may not even really appreciate the ways in which that influences some of our beliefs,” says Petar Bajic, MD, urologist at Cleveland Clinic.
Dr. Bajic says it’s important for men to make sure the content they are consuming is credible. The same goes for products they are being influenced to buy.
A third of men say they use supplements or performance enhancers promoted on social media.
“The difference between supplements and pharmaceuticals is that supplements really do not have to go any sort of testing to prove that they are safe or effective, and I think that’s a differentiation that a lot of people don’t understand,” he says.
Social media is influencing men in other ways, too.
The study showed that 73% feel motivated to improve their health after seeing content online. However, another 44% admit to comparing their body, fitness level and overall health.
The survey findings highlight why it’s best to get lifestyle and medical advice from healthcare professionals.
“We can help provide guidance on the right types of diet, the right types of exercise, and how to improve sleep. All of these things that are so important to not only your overall health but can actually also impact sexual function, fertility and all sorts of different things,” Dr. Bajic adds.
