Experts have warned that we’re heading for an AI-fueled “dementia crisis” — but Kathy Hilton’s already had her own AI-fueled tummy crisis.
On the season 15 reunion of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” that aired last week, Hilton, 67, admitted that she’d been duped by a fake AI diet which she thought was endorsed by Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Kelly Clarkson and even Michelle Obama.
But the “Jell-O diet” was not just fake — it also caused some GI issues.
“I went on the Jell-O diet,” she told her fellow Housewives, adding that she believed a bunch of megastars were fans.
“They were lying to me. It was all AI,” she said. “It has messed up my whole entire system. I was so bloated I could not fit into anything.”
Also called the “pink gelatin trick,” several versions of the fad diet exist online, though Hilton said her recipe used gelatin, vinegar and baking soda.
Others mix gelatin and ingredients like tart cherry or unsweetened cranberry juice for the pink hue, while another, nicknamed “Bariatric Jello,” includes Jell-O and protein powder.
The scam plan has been spreading across social media using Winfrey and Oz’s likenesses — although none of the celebrities cited in the videos have any attachment to the diet.
In one AI-generated clip, a glitchy “Oprah” declares: “I’m going to kill Dr. Oz. I’m filing a lawsuit today after he revealed the three ingredient recipe that took me from a fat body to a slim shape in less than six weeks.”
An unnaturally-moving Dr. Oz then appears on screen to say that “Oprah and Reba McEntire will kill me for revealing this, but this is the pink gelatin trick that they use for staying slim after 70.”
He says Adele used it, too, and Clarkson appeared on a red carpet “with a slim face and without muffin tops or saddle bags after trying this trick.”
The fake regimen is purported to drop several pounds, up to two to three per day, and be especially effective for those over 45 years old.
Online videos have asserted that collagen from gelatin helps promote a feeling of fullness, leading to fewer calories consumed. Other unfounded claims purport that the “acidity” of fruit juice with gelatin can dissolve visceral fat.
But experts are clear: This hack is a quack.
“This type of diet may lead to short-term weight loss, but it is not true or sustainable fat loss,” Lisa R. Young, a registered dietitian nutritionist and author of Finally Full, Finally Slim, told The Post. “Any drop on the scale is likely due to fluid loss or simply eating fewer calories overall.”
There’s no evidence combining gelatin with vinegar and baking soda creates weight loss, according to Mackenzie Burgess, registered dietitian nutritionist and recipe developer at Cheerful Choices.
“In fact, you’re more likely to end up hungrier faster since it has virtually no protein, fat or fiber to keep you satisfied,” Burgess told The Post.
“Unfortunately, there’s no gimmick or quick fix for sustainable weight loss.”
A balanced diet built around whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, dairy, legumes and healthy fats is more likely to cause healthy weight loss, she added.
Both experts agree the severe bloating Hilton experienced may have come from both the baking soda and vinegar, as they can “irritate the digestive system and lead to bloating, gas and discomfort,” according to Young.
“Baking soda belongs in your baked goods, not your wellness routine,” said Burgess. “While it’s sometimes used in small amounts for heartburn, in large amounts it can throw off your body’s acid-base balance.”
Meanwhile, research shows consuming too much vinegar may erode tooth enamel, irritate the lining of the esophagus and lower potassium levels over time.”
Beyond the physical effects of the Jell-O diet, Young also warns of gimmicky diets that “can promote an unhealthy relationship with food by encouraging restriction rather than balance.”
Both dietitians are also worried about the spread of dangerous AI tips — and the readiness with which people believe them.
“AI-generated diet advice has the potential to become a growing problem because it can sound credible while lacking scientific accuracy and safety,” said Young. My advice is to be cautious of any plan that sounds extreme, promises quick fixes or relies on a small number of ‘magic’ ingredients.”
Burgess offers a “simple gut check”: “If a diet plan came from a chatbot, a viral post, or someone without credentials, it’s worth pausing and asking a real expert before diving in.”
