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| - Last Updated on July 23, 2025 by Dr. Saumya Saluja
Quick take
A trending Instagram reel suggests the consumption of a herbal drink for the prevention of heart attacks and even cancer. We fact-checked the assertion and discovered that it is mostly false.
The Claim
An Instagram reel posted by diets_by_surbhi_gupta suggests a herbal recipe that involves boiling turmeric, ginger, and garlic in water for their antioxidative, anti-cancer, and cardio-protective qualities. The claim is that this preparation can prevent cancer and heart attacks.
Fact Check:
How do chronic diseases like heart attacks and cancer develop?
Globally, people are adversely affected by two persistent illnesses: cancer and heart attacks. These medical conditions, which usually take years to manifest and frequently go unnoticed, are impacted by a complex interaction of lifestyle, environmental, and hereditary variables.
Heart attacks, also known as myocardial infarctions, are mainly caused by reduced coronary blood flow, primarily due to plaque accumulation that deprives the heart muscle of adequate oxygen. Atherosclerotic plaques, which are usually composed of a mixture of fat, cholesterol, and other substances, may rupture and cause thrombosis, which may block the artery entirely and induce a heart attack. Even while there may be multiple contributing factors to the illness, some modifiable risk factors, like high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and physical inactivity, might accelerate this process considerably.
Dr. Yatin Arora, Senior Consultant and Unit Head, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi, explains that clinical indicators of heart attack may develop slowly and aggravate over time, or they may appear suddenly and be quite severe. Chest pain, which may extend to the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach, is the main symptom. It may be squeezing, pressing, or severe. Additional signs include dyspnoea, cold sweats, and nausea. The condition is usually managed by restoring blood flow to the cardiac muscle using prescribed medications and procedures like angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting.
Cancer is a multifaceted illness that varies greatly in its presentation, progression, and patient impact. The condition is a multi-step process that involves significant metabolic and behavioural alterations in cells, which cause them to multiply excessively and prematurely, evade immune system surveillance, and eventually spread to distant organs to produce metastases. These cellular alterations are brought on by the accumulation of genetic mutation programmes, intercellular interactions, and the cellular capacity to escape the immune system. This process ultimately leads to the development of a mass of dysregulated cells that might not exhibit any symptoms for a long period.
Eventually, though, it will develop to disrupt physiological processes, resulting in a variety of symptoms that vary according to the mass’s location, size, and the spread of cancer cells throughout the body.
It may be important to understand how certain disorders develop in order to prevent and cure them early.
Can inflammation and oxidative stress be managed through diet?
Oxidative stress and inflammation are central to the onset and advancement of chronic illnesses. Even though inflammation is a vital part of the immune response that shields the host from infections and supports tissue repair, its prolonged persistence—which is typically brought on by dietary deficiencies, weight-related triggers, or environmental toxins—can cause cellular damage and encourage the emergence of chronic illnesses.
Similarly, the development and progression of several diseases are influenced by oxidative stress, which is brought on by an excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen forms (RNS), and other free radical species within cells. Oxidative stress is also implicated in the development of heart disease and cancer.
Anti-inflammatory diets and foods packed with antioxidants have been shown to reduce systemic inflammation, neutralise free radicals, and lessen the consequences of oxidative stress. Diet alone, however, is not a solution; while it can help regulate the internal triggers of certain chronic illnesses and lower their likelihood of occurrence, it cannot entirely prevent them from developing.
What role do traditional herbs play in modern preventive care?
Herbs including turmeric, tulsi (holy basil), ginger, garlic, and ashwagandha have been used in a variety of medical systems, including Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, and Unani. These herbs are valued because of their perceived:
Cost-effectiveness
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Safety
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Holistic advantage
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Curcumin, found in herbs like turmeric, has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Garlic has shown lipid-lowering and antihypertensive qualities, and adaptogens like ashwagandha are known for enhancing immune function and stress reduction, all of which may promote general well-being. Given these advantages, all of these herbs are being used as supplemental rather than primary preventive measures. Furthermore, not everyone benefits from them, and some people—especially those with pre-existing medical illnesses—may not be able to avoid developing chronic conditions. Thus, their role in bridging the gap between traditional knowledge and modern medicine offers a more thorough approach to prevention.
Is a herbal recipe with ginger, turmeric, and garlic sufficient to prevent cancer and heart attacks?
Ginger, garlic, and turmeric are often promoted as natural defences against cancer and heart attacks. This could be explained by their well-established cardioprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory characteristics in preliminary scientific research.
Curcumin in turmeric is known to regulate inflammatory pathways, gingerol in ginger has antioxidant qualities that may help reduce cellular stress, and garlic may improve lipid profiles and lower blood pressure. These biological traits have compelled their nutritional inclusion. While these remedies may have some beneficial impacts on overall health, there is insufficient robust scientific evidence to support them as the only definitive preventive measures for heart attacks and cancer, particularly in individuals with pre-existing health risks.
We contacted Dr. Rakesh Sharma, Senior Consultant and Head of Medical Oncology at SHALBY Sanar International Hospital in Gurugram, regarding the three herbs’ potential to prevent cancer. Dr. Sharma clarified that the reason turmeric is being studied is because it contains curcumin, which has shown promise in addressing and preventing malignancies such as colorectal, breast, lung, and prostate by modifying signal transduction pathways, limiting cell proliferation, and triggering apoptosis. Likewise, ginger’s active components, such as gingerols and shogaols, offer anti-cancer potential against breast, ovarian, colon, and prostate cancer. Last but not least, organosulfur compounds such as allicin, diallyl sulphide, and diallyl trisulfide may provide cancer prevention by hindering tumour growth, initiating cell death, and affecting cellular signalling pathways implicated in carcinogenesis.
Dr. Sharma further explains, while there is hope that these three herbal ingredients can both prevent and cure cancer, further research is needed to completely understand how they affect humans individually and in combination. Those considering using these spices or their supplements to prevent cancer or as an adjunct to cancer treatment should speak with their healthcare providers to ensure safe and appropriate use.
Dr. Almas Fatma, General Physician from Navi Mumbai, adds more credence to this by stating that “making small, daily decisions is the first step towards preventing heart attacks.” Essential measures include avoiding smoking, maintaining an active lifestyle, and eating a balanced diet. Regular check-ups are equally critical for managing illnesses, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Small adjustments, such as cutting back on alcohol and stress, can also have a significant impact. In every case, prevention is preferable to cure.
Preventive interventions, such as maintaining a nutritional regimen, exercising on a regular basis, handling stress, and giving up alcohol and tobacco, may be potentially beneficial, especially for otherwise healthy individuals. Additionally, relying solely on dietary herbs is inadequate and may be harmful for those who already have heart disease, have a strong family history, or have known genetic predispositions to cancer. However, such individuals require evidence-based therapies such as periodic screenings and medical supervision. It should be emphasised that early detection and prompt therapy may substantially improve survival chances in high-risk patients.
Herbal remedies can be a part of a healthy lifestyle, but they cannot replace medically proven practices. Therefore, their role in prevention is best understood as a part of a broader, comprehensive approach; nonetheless, they cannot protect individuals who are at elevated risk without the appropriate medical support.
Why is critical thinking essential when evaluating health claims online?
In the era of digital media, health-related claims—especially those pertaining to heart attacks and cancer—are disseminating rapidly on several social media platforms. Many of these assertions, which lack scientific support, promote unproven home therapies as miraculous cures. Therefore, it becomes imperative to carefully examine such claims and discern between evidence-based advice and misleading content, particularly when it comes to serious illnesses like cancer and heart attacks.
Please be advised that cancer and heart attacks need to be addressed immediately with evidence-based care under a doctor’s watchful supervision. Relying on unverified internet information may cause high expectations and delay seeking medical care. Thus, critical assessment skills and public health literacy—such as questioning sources, verifying information, and consulting with qualified experts—are not only advantageous but also potentially life-saving.
Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.
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