Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world’s most famous athletes, recently stoked controversy for promoting a health supplement called Herbalife online. Known for his rigorous fitness regime and disciplined lifestyle, Ronaldo endorsed the breakfast supplement product on social media. However, the stint attracted extreme criticism from Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, an Indian hepatologist popularly called the Liver Doc on X microblogging site, who fact-checked the football star’s claims.

Ronald0’s post about Herbalife got a community note from Dr. Philips who said there have been several studies about Herbalife’s adverse effects on liver function. “A healthy breakfast is, of course, a great start to the day," Dr. Phillips wrote, "but not with products that have raised concerns over liver health.”

Dr. Phillips also criticized Ronaldo for not following ethical advertising practices, particularly when it comes to promoting products that could have a serious impact on public health. His response went viral, with many agreeing that celebrities should be more mindful of their influence on their followers.

Herbalife is a multilevel marketing company that sells nutritional supplements and personal care products in more than 90 countries around the world. One of its products which Cristiano has been promoting – the Herbalife weight loss programme, uses meal replacement shakes and dietary supplements to help people slim down and get nutrition.

According to Healthline, Herbalife programme does help people lose weight in the short term, but it is neither sustainable nor good for the liver and its health. The supplements are loaded with a myriad of ingredients – which are usually not tested for effectiveness, and no government agency regulates their quality or purity. In the United States, herbal products account for up to 20 per cent of liver injuries.

Studies say Herbalife weight loss supplements have even resulted in death in those who tried them due to liver damage caused by overgrowth of the bacteria B. Subtilis.

Herbalife also does not have a completely clean track record. It has been fined heavily by the US Federal Trade Commission for $200 million in 2016 for deceiving consumers into believing they could make large amounts of money from selling Herbalife products. The company was also required to restructure its business design to provide fairer compensation.

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Health and around the world.