Raw meat on social media: the viral boom that hides serious health risks

During the last few months, Social media has been filled with videos and posts of people eating raw meat. as a viral act. This trend, driven especially on fashion platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and X, has been embraced mainly by fitness influencers, who present it as a "natural" and supposedly more beneficial option for health, despite generating serious doubts among many users.

What at first might seem like just a culinary eccentricity or a reflection of the desire to stand out on the Internet It has become a phenomenon that seriously concerns health professionals.Food security and nutrition specialists warn that Eating uncooked meat poses health risks that go far beyond fashion or personal preferences, affecting both those who imitate them and particularly vulnerable segments.

The origin of the trend: networks, influencers, and the search for the "primitive"

The protagonists of these videos often argue that Eating raw meat is a return to the ancestral and that somehow improves your physical well-being or your daily energy. Phrases like "easier to maintain your physique" or "improved digestion" have been popularized, although these claims have no scientific backing.

Experts like Felicia Wu, professor of food safety and toxicology at Michigan State University, point out that this trend represents a setback in public health progress. Wu highlights that the invention of fire and the habit of cooking food were decisive for the development of humanity, and that Cooking meat not only makes it more digestible, but also eliminates dangerous bacteria and parasites..

Health risks: the list of dangers behind the viral challenge

Health authorities agree: Uncooked meat can harbor multiple bacteria, viruses and parasites These are only eliminated with the heat of proper cooking. The most common dangers include:

• Salmonella: especially present in birds, responsible for fever, vomiting and intense diarrhea.
• Escherichia coli: a bacteria present in cattle, capable of causing serious kidney infections or even hemolytic uremic syndrome, which is especially dangerous in young children.
• Listeria monocytogenes: responsible for listeriosis, it primarily affects pregnant women, the elderly, and immunosuppressed individuals, and can cause infections ranging from meningitis to neonatal infections.
• Trichinella spiralis: a parasite lodged in undercooked pork, causing trichinosis, a disease that can become irreversible.

The Mayo Clinic and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) remind that Every year millions of people become ill from consuming contaminated food.Symptoms can vary, but include nausea, cramps, kidney problems, high fever, and persistent muscle aches.

Reasons why you should never join the trend

Nutritionists such as Alberto Cormillot and Estefanía Pasquini, who have addressed the issue in outreach programs, insist that The possible benefits of eating raw meat lack scientific support."There are no nutritional reasons to recommend their intake," Pasquini emphasizes, while Cormillot reminds us that exposure to these pathogens does not mean being healthier, stronger, or getting more protein.

Certain population groups, such as children, pregnant women, immunosuppressed people and the elderly, should absolutely avoid this consumption. However, no one is exempt from risks, since the infection can also affect young, healthy people.

Furthermore, relying on supposedly "disinfectant" methods such as using lemon or vinegar is useless: These ingredients do not eliminate bacteria or parasites present in raw meat.Furthermore, purchasing meat from unregulated establishments further increases the risk due to the lack of adequate hygiene controls.

How to avoid poisoning and protect your health: key tips

To reduce the chances of contracting a foodborne infection, specialists recommend:

• Cook the meat thoroughly until it loses its pink color and reaches at least 71°C in the center of the cut.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked minced meat, especially in children under five years of age.
• Always separate utensils and cutting boards used for raw meat from those used with other foods, preventing cross-contamination.
• Always buy from authorized butcher shops and establishments and maintain the cold chain.
• Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly If they are going to be consumed raw, make sure that the milk and juices are pasteurized.

The warnings also apply to traditional dishes such as steak tartare and sushi, which should only be consumed in establishments with certified hygiene and sanitary controls.

Having accurate information and following these recommendations helps avoid health problems resulting from eating raw meat, which can be potentially fatal. Proper cooking remains the safest way to enjoy meat foods. without putting your health at risk. Something so basic and logical that it is a must in realistic games like The Witcher 3.