China’s Dangerous Tea‑Enema Weight‑Loss Craze Sends Hundreds to Hospital

It started as a TikTok‑style clip: a young influencer pours a clear glycerin enema into a bottle of sugar‑free tea, shakes it, and takes a big gulp. The caption? "Lose up to 4 kg in 48 hours – try it now!" Within days the video went viral, spawning a wave of copycats across mainland China.

What looks like a quirky hack is actually a hazardous cocktail. The concoction combines an over‑the‑counter constipation medicine – meant for external use only – with a tea that already contains theophylline, polyphenols and tannic acid. Together they turn a harmless beverage into a double‑acting laxative that can flush the body of water, electrolytes and, in some cases, cause real damage to the intestinal lining.

One of the first victims, a woman identified only as Ms. Ma, described the experience as "a nightmare that started with a slightly sweet taste." Within half an hour she was sprinting to the bathroom every few minutes, battling relentless diarrhoea and vomiting that kept her up all night. "I couldn’t sleep, I was going to the toilet once an hour," she told doctors, her voice shaking.

Hospitals in Henan province have confirmed a surge in emergency admissions linked to the trend. A spokesperson for the provincial medical centre said they have treated dozens of patients this month alone, many of whom arrived with severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and abdominal pain.

Nutritionist Sun Hailan of Chongqing Women’s and Children’s Hospital explained why the method is a “double blow” to the gut. "Sugar‑free tea already irritates the stomach for some people. Add glycerin, a powerful osmotic laxative, and you’re essentially pulling massive amounts of fluid into the colon," she warned. "The weight you lose is mostly water and stool, not fat. As soon as you re‑hydrate, the scale bounces back, and the body may be left weakened.

Medical experts stress that there is no scientific evidence supporting any lasting weight‑loss benefit from drinking an enema. In fact, the practice can lead to acute pancreatitis, intestinal perforation, and in extreme cases, even death. "Glycerin enemas are formulated for rectal use only. Swallowing them is never safe," the Henan hospital emphasized.

Unfortunately, the story is not new. Similar extreme‑diet fads have popped up in China before – a 25‑year‑old from Zhejiang, for example, ended up with acute pancreatitis after surviving on a binge‑eat‑once‑a‑week regime. The allure of rapid results, especially on social media, keeps these dangerous ideas circulating.

Authorities are now urging platforms to curb the spread of such content and reminding the public that sustainable weight loss comes from balanced nutrition and regular activity, not quick‑fix potions. Until then, the warning remains clear: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is – and drinking a glycerin enema will only leave you feeling worse.