9 mythically useful products

Manufacturers of products, medicines, cosmetics and other things are concerned only with increasing their profits. It’s their illness that causes them to go to any tricks in order to reduce the cost price and raise sales prices …

9 mythically “useful” products that devastate your wallet

The propaganda of a healthy lifestyle that has gripped the world’s information space in the past 10-15 years has helped many producers of products and cosmetics to increase their profits without much effort.

“Helps the stomach”, “Strengthens blood vessels”, “Raises immunity” – similar slogans can be seen in hundreds of different products in modern supermarkets. As practice shows, the consumer is happy to buy anything – from yogurt to a special type of pasta – if it promises him help in losing weight, strengthening health, improving the complexion, etc. Unfortunately, not always promises of marketers correspond to the real effect from the use of this or that product. Here is a list of 10 over-advertised goods or services, the benefits of which are negligible compared to their final value.

Soy products

Initially, soy milk, cheese and even meat were introduced to the market specifically for people suffering from intolerance to lactose, and vegetarians. That is, for those who for one reason or another can not use their natural counterparts. However, over time, many began to perceive products from soy as dietary, and especially – soy milk, which, according to some doctors, is absorbed by the body much better than cow’s. But here’s the catch. Often, soy milk is more caloric than the natural medium fat, due to the fact that almost all producers add sugar to it. Thus, it has no “dietary” effect (rather, on the contrary), and you can lose weight from it unless your wallet. For comparison: a liter of cow milk with a fat content of 3.2% will cost you 40-45 rubles, the price of a liter of soy milk fluctuates between 75 and 120 rubles.

Fresh juices

A glass of freshly squeezed juice will cost you 3 times more than usual, while the amount of vitamins in it is by no means proportional to the final price. In addition, both in packaged and fresh juices are quite a lot of sugar, in calories they are equivalent (and often exceed) ordinary soda, and in some people can trigger allergies and digestive problems. Do not abuse this product – it is better to replace it with ordinary fruits.

Bottled water

According to the US Environmental Protection Board, the bottled water industry earns about $ 4 billion a year only in the United States. At the same time, as shown by numerous tests, the quality of such water does not exceed the quality of water piped through the most usual home filter. On average, every American spends on water in plastic up to $ 200 per year.

Supplements and Vitamins

Deficiency of vitamins or minerals – of course, not an invention of PR people, but a real and fairly common problem. But to solve it with the help of expensive drugs (and vitamins and dietary supplements are often expensive) is only on the advice of a doctor or in case of serious symptoms. According to the American nutritionist, author of the book “A Complete Guide to Vitamins and Minerals” by Elizabeth Somer, in most cases, you can make up for the lack of vitamins by slightly adjusting your diet and spending more time out in the fresh air. The maximum, what it is worth to spend, is calcium, magnesium and vitamin C (ascorbic acid).

Low-calorie soda

According to statistics, which leads Forbes.com, Americans and Europeans spend on soda for about 300 dollars (or 9 thousand rubles.) Annually. In this case, doctors say that these drinks are harmful, regardless of whether they contain sugar or not. The fact is that artificial sweeteners, which are part of the so-called dietary soda, according to research, lead to a jump in blood pressure and blood sugar levels. And this, in turn, paradoxically, causes … obesity.

Muesli Bars

The obsession with muesli in many different forms and forms came to us from Europe and most of all it covered office workers. For no reason, muesli bars have been considered an ideal food for those who lead a sedentary lifestyle – but that’s bad luck: by caloric content and composition, most of these bars do not differ from ordinary chocolates. They also have a lot of sugar, as well as many trans fats (extremely harmful to the heart and blood vessels), and nutrients, perhaps slightly more than in the same chocolate with whole nuts. In America, now another fashion: with the easy filing of Hollywood stars, everyone was carried away by protein bars. And this is the same effect of advertising, as the popularity of muesli, say nutritionists. Again, a lot of sugar, trans fats, a disproportionately high price (from 50 to 120 rubles.), And the content of proteins can be, for example, 2 eggs (8-10 rubles.).

“Medical cosmetics”

Rejuvenating, tightening, refreshing, nourishing and other “wonderful” creams and tonics can cost from 1500 to 5-7 thousand rubles, depending on the composition, volume and firm-manufacturer. However, according to Hollywood dermatologist Tony Nakly, none of the cosmetic preparations in the world has the effect of such money, from which it was made – from shark fat, placental cells, “silver ions” and their ilk. Most of the products on the shelves of cosmetic shops can be replaced with pharmacy ointments at 5 or even 10 times cheaper, and if you decide to buy yourself a miracle cream for your face, choose one where there is retinol and as few dyes and flavorings as possible . By the way, a visit to a dermatologist will also bring more benefits and will cost much less than a trip to a cosmetic boutique.

Yogurt with bacteria

Putting on the bottle of kefir or a glass of yogurt a badge “Contains useful bacteria”, the manufacturer, of course, does not mind. Both in yogurt and in yogurt, these bacteria are actually contained – however, they also exist in any other unpasteurized sour-milk products. And as storage, bacteria become less and less – and there is no difference, 20 rubles was worth your yogurt or 120. Choose these products with the mind: pay attention not to the mythically “bacterial” benefits, but to the presence in their composition of sugar, dyes and artificial flavors. Sometimes natural – that is, without these additives – yogurt is cheaper than pasted with advertising badges and from this more tempting for gullible buyers.

Subscriptions to the fitness club

After New Year’s holidays fitness clubs are literally attacked by customers obsessed with the idea of a healthy lifestyle. Tortured by remorse for overeating and idleness during the holidays, office workers do not spare money for semi-annual and annual subscriptions … but, according to statistics, they use them from strength to spring. On average, every club card holder attends classes no more than 5 times a month, and thus the price of one visit is from 300 to 500 rubles. A little expensive? Yes, but not only. Abandoned fitness only does what “soothes conscience”, but does not give the desired result. That is, in fact, helps to put up with extra pounds. Try to walk better: 30-minute walks every day for 3 months will help to lose about 2 kilograms, and at the same time will be completely free.

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