Ronaldo criticised for Herbalife endorsement amid health concerns raised by 'Liver Doc'
NDTV deletes related story
Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent endorsement of Herbalife’s Formula 1 meal replacement shake has drawn sharp criticism, with hepatologist Dr. Cyriac Abby Phillips, known as "The Liver Doc," highlighting potential health risks associated with the product. Dr. Phillips took to X (formerly Twitter), urging caution about products like Herbalife due to past controversies surrounding liver health concerns. His response gained significant traction, resonating with many followers concerned about Ronaldo’s influence on public health choices.
Ronaldo promoted the shake as a “healthy breakfast option” on his social media, presenting it as a balanced source of protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. His post, accompanied by hashtags like #Herbalife and #HealthyBreakfast, sparked a community fact-check and ignited a debate over the ethics and transparency of celebrity endorsements.
A good way to start the day? A healthy breakfast. Herbalife Formula 1 delivers a balanced mix of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.#Herbalife #HealthyBreakfast pic.twitter.com/0N3O59FWZP
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) November 7, 2024
Users quickly pointed out Ronaldo’s failure to disclose the post as a paid advertisement, which violates social media endorsement regulations. The platform added a community note, alerting viewers that the footballer had not been transparent about his relationship with Herbalife.
Christiana Ronaldo just got community noted by @theliverdr pic.twitter.com/vm2ph5HVcQ
— Zee (@MhaskarChief) November 8, 2024
Dr. Phillips criticised Ronaldo’s endorsement, warning that Herbalife products had raised liver health concerns. He stated, “A healthy breakfast is, of course, a great start to the day, but not with products that have raised concerns over liver health.” He also urged influencers to prioritise ethical advertising when endorsing products with potential health risks, linking sources supporting his claim.
A good way to start the day? A healthy breakfast.
— TheLiverDoc (@theliverdr) November 8, 2024
No doubt. But Herbalife has no role in it.
Herbalife is a multilevel marketing pyramid scheme company which manufactures low quality mixed protein made from pea and soy and includes other dangerous botanicals, all the while… https://t.co/jsO4l5TH22
This incident also revived debate over Ronaldo’s past stance against sugary drinks like Coca-Cola. During UEFA Euro 2020, Ronaldo famously removed Coca-Cola bottles from view at a press conference, suggesting people should drink water instead. This gesture, widely perceived as an endorsement of healthier choices, even impacted Coca-Cola’s market value.
Now, Ronaldo’s endorsement of Herbalife has led to accusations of inconsistency, with critics questioning his stance on health-related endorsements.
Cristiano Ronaldo:
— M (@monsefp29) November 10, 2024
Coca cola ❌😡🤬
Herbalife ✅🥰🫶🏼 https://t.co/Hr29A9QTxn
This is one of the biggest ponzy scheme ever across continents. But I was surprised by Ronaldo's post. During a press conference at UEFA Euro 2020 in June 2021, Cristiano removed two Coca-Cola bottles placed in front of him and held up a water bottle. And now U-turn?? pic.twitter.com/sAbJfBFKD5
— Pragya Nidhi (@Pragya_Nidhi1) November 10, 2024
Several Indian athletes, including Virat Kohli, Smriti Mandhana, Mary Kom, and Lakshya Sen, also faced similar criticism for appearing in front-page ads as Herbalife ambassadors in Indian newspapers on 10 November 2024.
And we have our celebs also endorsing this as well pic.twitter.com/QAePig1yuY
— Rajith Ramachandran (@rajithr14) November 10, 2024
NDTV initially reported on the backlash with a post titled “Kerala Doctor Calls Out Cristiano Ronaldo For Endorsing Herbalife: "Deprived Of Ethics”, but reportedly took down the article shortly after publication, sparking further speculation. Social media users speculated that NDTV's decision might have been influenced by external pressures or commercial interests, as the platform provided no official explanation.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
ALSO READ: Cong candidate who moved Kerala HC for name reinstatement in voter list, wins
Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
