Earrings that promote weight loss? That’s fashionably false

What’s the secret to quick and easy weight loss, as some social media users claim? Just wear earrings.

A video, shared Nov. 29 on Facebook, showed clips of women wearing "lymphatic earrings" and dramatic before-and-after footage of the weight loss purportedly caused by the jewelry.

The post’s caption reads, "I have been wearing Lymphatic Earrings for 4 weeks and this turned my tummy back into its normal state! Absolutely recommended!" It then provides a link where people can learn more and buy the product.

The post was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.)

(Screengrab from Facebook)

Many products online promise fast ways to lose weight. But there’s no evidence that jewelry promotes weight loss.

The website linked in the Facebook post says the lymphatic earrings use "magnetherapy" to promote better circulation in the body’s lymphatic system and unclog swollen lymph nodes. It also says the earrings stimulate acupressure points to help detox the body.

The lymphatic system consists of organs, vessels and tissues that help keep a healthy balance of fluids throughout the body and protect against infection. The Cleveland Clinic says swollen lymph nodes could signal common infections, such as strep throat, or direr conditions, such as cancer.

Health experts have debunked the efficacy of products that similarly claim to target the body’s lymphatic system to aid weight loss, including magnetic lymph bracelets and acupuncture "slimming" earrings.

Other fact-checkers have agreed. Lead Stories reported that there was no evidence magnetic jewelry helps people achieve significant weight loss. Experts told Agence France-Presse that scientific research does not support that acupuncture alone aids weight loss; a healthy diet and exercise are still necessary to achieve significant results.

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The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers to avoid products that make misleading promises about weight loss.

"Any promise of miraculous weight loss is simply untrue," the commission’s website says. "There’s no magic way to lose weight without a sensible diet and regular exercise."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people who lose weight gradually and steadily, about 1 to 2 pounds per week, are likelier to keep the weight off than people who lose weight quickly.

To keep the body’s lymphatic system healthy, the Cleveland Clinic advises people to avoid exposure to toxic chemicals, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet.

We rate the claim that magnetic lymphatic earrings aid weight loss Pants on Fire!