Celeb science myths debunked

Louboutin was taken to task for repeating a friend’s claim that, ‘...what is sexual in a high heel is the arch of the foot, because it is exactly the position of a woman’s foot when she orgasms. So putting your foot in a heel, you are putting yourself in a possibly orgasmic situation.’

Professor Kevin Wylie, a consultant in sexual medicine, debunked: ‘It is important to differentiate causality from effect. A woman’s foot may be in this position during orgasm, but that does not mean that putting her foot into this position under other circumstances will result in orgasm.’

And repeat offender Bundchen drew fire for her disdain for sunscreen. ‘I cannot put this poison on my skin... I do not use anything synthetic,’ she said in early 2011.

Pharmeceutical scientist Gary Moss explained, ‘Cosmetic products—including sunscreens—are regulated and are tested extensively before they are allowed onto the market. Testing applies to both final products and individual ingredients. You might be surprised that you use a wide variety of synthetic materials in many aspects of your life: ‘synthetic' does not automatically mean bad, just as ‘natural' does not automatically mean safe or beneficial.’

As for Paltrow, a GP said her devotion to cleanses was unnecessary given the liver and kidney’s natural detoxing function.

Chances are, most readers chuckled at these celebrities’ statements rather than treating them as legitimate, informed beliefs. But responding to celeb health claims at face value underlines the extent to which prominent figures’ views can sway public behaviours.

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