A Shocking Health Trend from the Past

Today, you might see ads for detox teas, liver cleanses, and even hydrogen water. These products promise energy, better health, and a longer life.

But strange health trends are nothing new.

In the 1920s and 1930s, people paid good money to drink radioactive water. They believed it gave them energy, cured pain, and even helped them live longer. One brand, called Radithor, was sold as “perpetual sunshine in a bottle.”

Yes—people drank water mixed with radium, the same element now used in cancer treatments and nuclear reactors.

Why Did People Think It Worked?

At first, radium looked like a miracle. It glowed in the dark, and doctors were just beginning to understand radiation. Companies saw a chance to make money. So they started selling radium in toothpaste, face cream, chocolate, and, yes, bottled water.

One famous product, Radithor, was sold as a cure for everything from tiredness to “low manhood energy.”

People believed it worked. Why? Because it came from science. It looked exciting. And it was easy to believe a glowing bottle held glowing health.

Even doctors promoted it, just like some do with today’s wellness fads.

Read more on Radithor from the Oak Ridge Associated Universities

Meet the Tragic Case of Eben Byers

One man named Eben Byers became the face of this trend. He was rich, well-known, and loved Radithor. He drank it every day—three bottles a day for years.

For years, he said he felt great. But soon, the side effects started.

• His teeth fell out.
• Then his jaw crumbled.
• Finally, bones weakened and broke.

Eventually, his body became so radioactive that they had to bury him in a lead coffin. It took years for this to take effect. But during the years he was drinking his deadly potion, he claimed improved health and vitality.

This helped end Radithor, but the public didn’t learn the bigger lesson.

Fast Forward to Today

Even though we know better, we still fall for bad science with a shiny label.

Let’s look at a few modern examples:

• Gary Brekka sells hydrogen water as a health hack, even though there’s little proof it helps anyone.
• Döse Liver Cleanse is a product that doesn’t actually cleanse your liver.
• And of course, Goop keeps offering “natural” cures like jade eggs and bee-sting facials, with no solid research to back them up.

These trends all follow the Radithor formula:

1. Make a wild claim
2. Add buzzwords like “cleanse,” “cellular,” or “bioavailable”
3. Skip the actual science
4. Sell it fast before the truth catches up

What’s the Real Risk?

Most modern products won’t melt your jaw. But they can waste your money, give false hope, or delay real care.

Worse, they can make people distrust doctors and trust influencers instead.

Just like Radithor, these products often look scientific, but they skip important steps—like peer review, clinical trials, and safety data.

If you need a liver cleanse, your body already has one.It’s called your liver. And it works 24/7—no powdered beetroot or milk thistle needed.What Should You Do Instead?

Instead of chasing magic drinks or secret pills:

• Eat whole foods
• Move your body regularly
• Sleep well
• See real medical professionals
• Ask for evidence—not just stories

If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Especially if it comes from someone selling supplements, not science.

Final Thought

We like to believe we’re smarter than the past. But we still fall for the same trick, just with different packaging.

So next time you see a glowing promise in a bottle, ask yourself:

Is this progress… or just Radithor with better lighting?