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Claim: Indonesian physician and preacher Dr. Zaidul Akbar promotes a remedy for hypertension that promises results in just one week.
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: The viral video circulating on Facebook appears to be a 10-minute clip from a Kompas TV program with the provocative caption, “Don’t buy Losartan before watching this video.”
As of writing, the video has already been viewed 450,000 times and has gained 2,300 likes and 62 comments.
The video claims that age, diet, obesity, and genetics are unrelated to hypertension, asserting instead that carbon monoxide exposure is the primary cause. It concludes by recommending a combination of honey and lemon peel as a treatment to normalize blood pressure overnight. Its claims about hypertension remedies could mislead viewers and potentially discourage them from seeking evidence-based medical treatments.
The facts: The video is fake and AI-manipulated. An analysis by the AI detection tool, Hive Moderation, revealed that the video is “likely to contain AI-generated or deepfake content” with an aggregate score of 99.8%. Hive Moderation detected deepfake audio with 67% confidence, although the video is likely not AI-generated.
A reverse image search shows that the original footage was taken from Akbar’s official YouTube channel. The original video, uploaded on December 14, 2024 and titled “[KAJIAN MALAM AHAD] Nafkah Tak Halal, Keluarga Bermasalah,” focuses on religious teachings and the impact of unlawful earnings on family life. Akbar did not mention anything about hypertension or medical remedies.
Indonesian media outlet Tempo has also fact-checked the same false claim.
False medical information: To verify the four health-related claims mentioned in the audio of the misleading YouTube video, Rappler contacted Makhyan Jibril Al Farabi, a cardiologist from Soetomo Academic Medical Center Hospital.
He emphasized that hypertension requires long-term management, including taking prescribed medication and undergoing lifestyle changes. “Unsupported claims, such as the efficacy of honey and lemon peel, may encourage individuals to abandon proven treatments,” he said.
Claim 1: Age, diet, obesity, and genetics are unrelated to hypertension.
Fact: This claim is incorrect. According to Al Farabi, the risk of hypertension increases with age, poor dietary habits, excessive salt intake, and obesity, among other factors. He added that a family history of hypertension is also a significant factor.
Claim 2: Carbon monoxide is the main cause of hypertension.
Fact: While prolonged exposure to high amounts of carbon monoxide exposure, such as exposure to heavy pollution or smoking, can contribute to hypertension, Al Farabi said it is not the primary cause.
Claim 3: Losartan merely alleviates symptoms without addressing the root cause.
Fact: Losartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker, not only reduces blood pressure but also prevents complications such as heart disease and kidney failure. According to Al Farabi, its efficacy improves when combined with healthy lifestyle changes.
Claim 4: A mix of honey and lemon peel can restore vascular function and normalize blood pressure overnight.
Fact: No scientific evidence supports this claim. Al Farabi said that while honey and lemon peel contain beneficial compounds like antioxidants and vitamin C, they cannot deliver the dramatic results described by the misleading video. Effective blood pressure management requires consistent medical intervention and lifestyle adjustments.
Target of fake advertisements: Akbar has been a frequent target of deepfake advertisements promoting dubious health products with exaggerated claims since 2024. Cek Fakta Tempo debunked one video of Akbar supposedly promoting a diabetes cure in April 2024. – Rappler.com
Artika Farmita is a journalist and fact-checker for Tempo.co based in Surabaya, Indonesia. She is one of Rappler’s #FactsMatter Fellows for 2024.
This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
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