The Real Story Behind Netflix's Apple Cider Vinegar: Why Is It Triggering Doctors?

Netflix’s new series, Apple Cider Vinegar, has triggered doctors and medical professionals as the show, starring Kaitlyn Dever, tells the real-life story of Belle Gibson, an Australian wellness influencer who falsely claimed she cured her Stage 4 brain cancer with a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Many people believed her story and followed her advice, but in 2015, journalists exposed the truth—she never had cancer. In 2017, she was found guilty of lying to the public. The Netflix series is based on the book The Woman Who Fooled the World by Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano and explores how Belle fooled thousands of people and the harm caused by her false claims.

Belle Gibson became famous for promoting natural healing through diet and lifestyle changes. However, it was later revealed that Belle had never been diagnosed with cancer. She made up the entire story to promote her brand. Many people who trusted her advice delayed or avoided real medical treatment, which put their lives at risk.

The Netflix series also shows the tragic stories of real cancer patients who believed in alternative treatments.

Doctors Speak Out Against Misinformation

After watching the series, a doctor named Dr Michael, who has nearly 500,000 TikTok followers, shared his frustration. He regularly debunks false health claims online and was deeply upset by the show’s story.

"If this doesn’t make you realize the wellness industry is a scam, nothing will," he said. "As a doctor, this was so hard to watch."

Dr Michael, who has worked in cancer hospitals and provides care to terminally ill patients, explained that fake health advice can be very dangerous. He has seen many patients delay real treatment because they believed in alternative cures. By the time they returned to the hospital, their cancer had spread too far to be treated.

"I’ve seen people refuse real treatment for six months, and when they come back, it’s too late. The cancer has spread to their lungs, liver, or brain, and we can’t do anything," he explained.

Cancer Treatment

Dr Michael made it clear: food is not medicine. Eating healthy is important, but it cannot cure cancer. He also dismissed the idea that pharmaceutical companies are hiding natural cures for cancer.

"If there was a natural cure for cancer, drug companies would be selling it already," he said.

He also warned people to be careful about wellness influencers who sell books, supplements, or miracle diets. "They are only trying to make money," he said.

A few months ago, former MLA Navjot Singh Sidhu announced his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu, is now clinically free from cancer and overcame the deadly disease at stage 4, despite being given only a 3 per cent chance of survival. However, we got in touch with experts who said this could form part of the supportive treatment in managing stage IV cancer but there is no large-scale study that suggests herbal medicine and diet alone can control metastatic cancer. "Any findings in this area are typically based on his subjective results, such as those from individual experiences,” Dr Sushama Sumeet, BAMS, MD, Ayurveda Physician and Senior Research Fellow at ICTRC Pune Integrated Cancer Treatment & Research Centre, told Times Now.

Dr Sumeet said since everyone has a different body constitution, anti-inflammatory foods may not be effective at all stages of cancer. “Furthermore, the specific diet and anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory foods recommended in such cases may not necessarily be effective for other patients, as each patient differs in disease stage, body constitution, physical and mental strength, and other factors,” she added.

Meanwhile, Dr Cyric Abbey Philips, also known as Liver Doc, said there is "no evidence that any specific diet, herb or Ayurvedic balderdash can prevent, control or cure cancer.”

Taking to X, he wrote, "Doctors always give the worst prognosis to prepare and sensitise patients and families. That does not mean that they have let go. Doctors always do their best to help them heal. This is exactly what all the doctors you spoke to told you."

"A balanced, nutritious diet can improve your general health, boost the immune system, and reduce side effects, but a cancer treatment such as chemotherapy still cannot cure cancer. Cancer treatment usually involves medical interventions like surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. A good diet supplements give medical care by strengthening the body, reducing fatigue, and improving quality of life, but this is not a replacement for cancer treatment," said Dr Vaishali Zamre, Surgical Oncology, Breast Oncology, Andromeda Cancer Hospital.

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