A viral claim on Pakistani social media suggests that consuming the industrial chemical borax on an empty stomach for three days has several health benefits, such as treating asthma, relieving constipation, and cleansing the digestive system.
Borax, also known as sodium tetraborate, is a white powdery substance commonly used in household cleaners.
This claim is false and potentially dangerous.
Claim
On March 5, a Facebook user shared a long post promoting borax consumption, claiming it can clean the intestines and prevent diseases.
“Take Rs20 worth of suhaaga (borax), crush it, then heat it on a pan until it releases water and expands,” read the post, adding that the mixture should be kept in an airtight container.
“This simple remedy is said to cleanse the intestines, relieve constipation, and clear out any accumulated waste in the digestive system,” it adds.
The post has been shared over 2,000 times and received 234 comments.
Similar claims were also shared here, here and here.
Fact
Three medical experts and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have strongly warned against consuming borax.
Dr Muhammad Iftikhar Yousaf, assistant professor of gastroenterology and hepatology at the Shalamar Institute of Health Sciences in Lahore, told Geo Fact Check that borax is not meant for internal use.
“It is primarily used as a chemical in soaps and detergents,” he said. “While there have been some studies on its potential anti-inflammatory properties, these are not well-established, and there is no evidence-based data to support its use in gut health.”
Dr Yousaf further warned that using borax as a laxative can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, kidney failure.
Dr Hyder Abbasi, consultant gastroenterologist at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, added that there is no recommendation in modern medicine for using suhaaga (borax) to improve digestive health.
While Professor Tariq Baloch, consultant gastroenterologist at Shaikh Zayed Hospital in Lahore, also said that there is no documented evidence to support claims that borax helps cleanse the intestines or prevent disease.
Separately, the European Food Safety Authority has also evaluated sodium tetraborate (borax) and found that its use as a food additive adversely affected the male reproductive system in rats, mice, and dogs.
The report can be read here.
Verdict: There is no scientific or medical evidence to support the claim that borax has any health benefits when consumed. Health experts warn that ingesting borax can be toxic and pose serious risks to the kidneys and reproductive system.
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