I tried out celebs like Maya Jama’s weird hacks to staying healthy – here’s how they ranked
PREACHING advice on how we can feel better about ourselves can be a major money-maker for the rich and famous.
Meghan Markle is the latest to jump on the bandwagon by bringing back her online lifestyle blog, The Tig, which includes ways to improve health and wellness.
It had been shut down in 2017 when Meghan got engaged to Prince Harry.
Experts expect earnings to rocket, even rivalling that of Gwyneth Paltrow’s £200m site, Goop.
From Maya Jama to Victoria Beckham and Kourtney Kardashian, she joins a host of other celebrity women who share hacks which they claim keep them in good shape – both in mind and body.
But are they actually any good or simply a gimmick?
From a daily spoonful of butter to an orange in the shower, Sun writer Lynsey Hope, 41, tried out some for a week, and here she rates each, with marks out of five.
VICTORIA BECKHAM – Bee pollen on meals
WHAT’S good enough for Victoria, 49, is good enough for the rest of us, and I couldn’t wait to try bee pollen – one of her favourite supplements, which she once tweeted as being “so good for u”.
It comes in granules, and is best sprinkled on salads or mixed in smoothies.
It’s high in protein, amino acids, vitamins and folic acid and can boost energy levels.
VERDICT: “I bought some Green Origins Organic Bee Pollen (£5.49, amazon.co.uk) and sprinkled it across my salad for lunch.
“I didn’t like the dusty taste of the pollen, which was very powdery, with a sweet, floral taste. It ruined my meal and I had to throw it in the bin.
“I tried it on several meals including pasta but I hated it every time and had to give up after a few days.”
RATING: 1/5
KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN – Ghee
REALITY TV’s Kourtney swears by a daily spoonful of ghee, or clarified butter, which she always melts before eating.
The 44-year-old claims the Indian cooking ingredient has stacks of benefits, including hydrating the skin and increasing hair growth.
Despite being rich in vitamins A and E, antioxidants as well as healthy fats, people are advised to eat it in moderation.
VERDICT: “I struggled to put this in my mouth, let alone swallow it, but it wasn’t as bad as I expected.
“It was like ordinary butter but less creamy, with a slightly nutty aroma and taste.
“I didn’t enjoy it, but I managed to get it down for a full seven days.
“However, there was no noticeable difference in my general health, skin or hair.”
RATING: 2/5
REESE WITHERSPOON – Veg smoothie
LEGALLY Blonde actress Reese loves a smoothie – but hers are packed with lettuce, spinach, apple, banana, pear and coconut water, which she usually glugs for her breakfast.
Posting on Instagram, she says: “I have it around 10am or 11am and I’m not hungry at all until 1pm.”
Reese, 47, says it keeps her skin and hair glowing.
VERDICT: “Reese has glowing skin, so I was eager to try this one.
“Once I’d shopped for all the veg, I made enough to last a few days and added a small amount of flaxseed and almond butter to the recipe, just like Reese does.
“It was delicious, and I’m now a green juice convert. It’s packed with nutrients and a daily glass left me feeling full and snacking less.”
RATING: 5/5
GWYNETH PALTROW – Coconut oil
THE idea of swilling coconut oil around my mouth for 20 minutes was nauseating – but actress-turned-wellness-guru Gwyneth Paltrow swears by it to make her gnashers look whiter.
She performs this ancient Indian dental ritual early in the morning or while she’s making the kids’ lunches or meditating.
Gwyneth, 50, says: “I’ve noticed my teeth have gotten whiter. It’s amazing.”
VERDICT: “Two seconds in and I felt like I was going to gag – and by ten seconds I had to spit it out.
“A few minutes later I tried again. After a number of days it was more palatable and I kept it in my mouth longer.
“A week later, my teeth definitely looked brighter.
“I used Holland and Barrett Coconut Oil costing just £5.49 which is a decent size jar. Perhaps Gwynnie is on to something here.”
RATING: 4/5
MAYA JAMA – Ankle weights for chores
I WOULD often wonder what the secret is to Love Island host Maya Jama’s shapely legs.
Turns out it’s wearing weights around her ankles while doing chores.
Maya says, “I’ve found wearing ankle weights really useful.
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“Putting on thick socks and weights while I do my daily activities for some extra resistance.”
VERDICT: “I ordered some Xn8 1kg ankle weights (£17.99, amazon.co.uk) and strapped them to my ankles before doing the washing up and hoovering.
“I even forgot they were there.
“This is such a great way to burn extra calories while doing those boring jobs.
“Great advice Maya!”
RATING: 4/5
FEARNE COTTON – Ice cold showers
PRESENTER Fearne claims cold showers are her secret to feeling good, revealing on the Joe Wicks Podcast: “I can stay in there now for three minutes and then I get out. It is heaven, you are pumped.”
Experts agree. Research has found cold showers are good for circulation, soothe sore muscles, support the immune system and may even combat depression.
VERDICT: “I had to catch my breath as the water turned cold, and on the first try I only managed about 30 seconds under the chilly temperature before jumping out.
“By the end of the week, I was up to about 75 seconds. I had a burst of energy and I felt more alert.
“My heart rate spiked on my fitness tracker too, meaning my metabolism was working overtime.”
RATING: 3/5
ALESHA DIXON – Ginger shots
POST-workout, Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha, 44, often knocks back a ginger shot.
The Boy Does Nothing singer claims the zingy drink helps boost her “mental and physical” performance.
It’s also said to help reduce inflammation and soothe digestive issues.
VERDICT: “I tried the Unrooted Mighty Ginger Fresh Energy Shot (£2.59, hollandand barrett.com) which gave an unusual warming sensation as it hit the back of my throat.
“I sort of liked it. I sometimes suffer from bloating but didn’t experience any of that while using these and I’d like to carry on but it isn’t cheap.
“A daily dose would cost more than £945 a year.”
RATING: 2/5
KELLY RIPA – Eat an orange in shower
IT’S a bizarre trend doing the rounds on TikTok – eating an orange while you shower, as demonstrated by American actress and morning TV host Kelly, 52.
Apparently, the hot water intensifies the citrusy scent, boosting your mood and reducing stress and anxiety. Can an orange a day keep the doctor away?
VERDICT: “I thought the orange smelled more citrusy outside of the shower than in it and I hadn’t really thought through what to do with the skin while I was in there, so it made a right mess.
“I had to spend quite some time clearing it up afterwards which didn’t improve my mood and certainly didn’t zest up my day.”
RATING: 1/5
DAVINA McCALL – Rise ’n’ shine with sunrise clock
LONG Lost Family TV show presenter Davina, 55, wakes gently in the mornings with a so-called sunrise clock.
They project the colours of a real sunrise around the room.
The devices are programmed to reach full brightness at the time you want to wake up, to help you get up on the right side of the bed each morning.
VERDICT: “I hate that dreadful moment the alarm clock goes off each morning so I was excited to try this Sunrise Alarm Clock (£35.99, amazon.co.uk).
“From day one, I woke up in a better mood and with more energy.
“I found getting up in the mornings so much easier.”
RATING: 5/5