This orthopaedic surgeon’s book busts the 101 most ingrained health myths

Speaking to The Indian Express, Dr Vora talked about his journey as a doctor, making content on social media and health misinformation in India.

From rebutting widely claimed benefits of ashwagandha and turmeric to emphasising the safety of microwave ovens and whey protein, the book covers important everyday topics.

A popular personality with over 4 lakh followers on Instagram, orthopaedic surgeon Dr Manan Vora’s book ‘But What Does Science Say?’, which was recently lauched at the Pune Book Festival held at Fergusson College Ground, debunks 101 health myths prevalent in India. From rebutting widely claimed benefits of ashwagandha and turmeric to emphasising the safety of microwave ovens and whey protein, the book covers important everyday topics.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Dr Vora talked about his journey as a doctor, making content on social media and health misinformation in India.

Speaking about what motivated him to start making videos on Instagram, Dr Vora said, “I did COVID duty in the first wave but not in the second wave, so I had more time on my hands. I saw so many random people make videos about health and about coronavirus, which got me thinking that if people with no credibility and qualification can, why are doctors not doing it? So that’s when I put out my first video.”

When asked about his take on online misinformation originating from alternative medicine, Dr Vora said, “This topic is very controversial as modern medicine practitioners can at anytime try to comment on it. It gets misconstrued as them trying to sell their services or wanting people to fall sick so that they can make more money. It has been fed to people that ayurveda or homeopathy is natural, and modern medicine is artificial. At the end of the day, it should be about what is scientific and what is not scientific, and not about what is herbal or natural.”

Regarding social media influencers who make emotional appeals to viewers on medical topics without having the qualification to do so, he said, “You really can’t counter it because social media has given everyone a platform. Some influencers are not doctors but speak froma place of good research and science. Some are doctors but talk about a lot of misleading stuff. Some have understood that going anti-healthcare industry or anti-pill and trying to give natural solutions to everything is a smarter way to gain views. So, everything is agenda driven.”

1. Cracking knuckles causes arthritis.

No. The sound is gas bubbles bursting due to pressure.

2. Microwave radiation destroys vitamins in food or causes cancer.

Heating food in a microwave is harmless and does not cause cancer.

3. Immunity boosters are necessary to be healthy.

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The immune system is already led by white blood cells. Immunity boosters are like ‘bringing sand to the beach’.

4. Detox products help clean the body of toxins.

There is little evidence that detox products work. Our liver, kidneys, skin, lungs and digestive system deal with toxins well.

5. Sunscreen just prevents sunburns

Sunscreen prevents not just sunburns but also premature ageing and skin cancer.

Soham Shah

Soham Shah is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in Pune. A journalism graduate with a background in fact-checking, he brings a meticulous and research-oriented approach to his current reporting. Professional Background Role: Correspondent coverig education and city affairs in Pune. Specialization: His primary beat is education, but he also maintains a strong focus on civic issues, public health, human rights, and state politics. Key Strength: Soham focuses on data-driven reporting on school and college education, government reports, and public infrastructure. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 work highlights a transition from education-centric reporting to hard-hitting investigative and human-rights stories: 1. Investigations & Governance "Express Impact: Mother's name now a must to download birth certificate from PMC site" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant policy change by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) following his earlier reports on gender inclusivity in administrative documents. "44-Acre Mahar Land Controversy: In June, Pune official sought land eviction at Pawar son firm behest" (Nov 9, 2025): An investigative piece on real estate irregularities involving high-profile political families. 2. Education & Campus Life Faculty crisis at SPPU hits research, admin work: 62% of govt-sanctioned posts vacant, over 75% in many depts (Sept 12, 2025): An investigative piece on professor vacancies at Savitribai Phule Pune University. "Maharashtra’s controversial third language policy: Why National Curriculum Framework recommends a third language from Class 6" (July 2): This detailed piece unpacks reasons behind why the state's move to introduce a third language from class 1 was controversial. "Decline in number of schools, teachers in Maharashtra but student enrolment up: Report" (Jan 2025): Analyzing discrepancies in the state's education data despite rising student numbers. 3. Human Rights & Social Issues "Aanchal Mamidawar was brave after her family killed her boyfriend" (Dec 17, 2025): A deeply personal and hard-hitting opinion piece/column on the "crime of love" and honor killings in modern India. "'People disrespect the disabled': Meet the man who has become face of racist attacks on Indians" (Nov 29, 2025): A profile of a Pune resident with severe physical deformities who became the target of global online harassment, highlighting issues of disability and cyber-bullying. Signature Style Soham is known for his civil-liberties lens. His reporting frequently champions the rights of the marginalized—whether it's students fighting for campus democracy, victims of regressive social practices, or residents struggling with crumbling urban infrastructure (as seen in his "Breathless Pune" contributions). He is adept at linking hyper-local Pune issues to larger national conversations about law and liberty. X (Twitter): @SohamShah07 ... Read More

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