Warning About a Substance Promoted for Its Benefits on TikTok

Health experts have warned about videos circulating on TikTok that discuss the benefits of adding "borax" to drinking water to reduce inflammation and alleviate joint pain. Known as sodium borate, tetra-borate sodium, or disodium tetra-borate, borax is a salt of boric acid. It is noted that borax is banned in American food products, and according to U.S. poison control centers, its ingestion can cause stomach irritation and lead to anemia. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, borax has been associated with causing nausea, diarrhea, cramps, and vascular collapse. Borax is used in laundry detergents and cleaning products.