Random Common Placebo Products That Don't Actually Do Anything (12 items)

(#9) Barefoot Running Shoes

In 2014, Vibram, makers of FiveFingers running shoes, paid out $3.75 million in a class action lawsuit which accused the company of deceptive marketing. Vibram marketed its FiveFingers shoes as being able to help reduce foot injuries and strengthen foot muscles. Those claims were not backed up by any proven science.

In fact, one study in the Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise journal showed that transitioning too quickly from regular running shoes to minimalist running shoes could actually cause foot injuries.
(#11) PC or Mac 'Cleaning'
Don't be fooled by these cleaning downloads that claim to make your computer run faster; both Mac and Windows already come with all the necessary cleaning tools. Don't click that download button - it's the opposite of smart!
(#5) Sports Drinks

A study published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) explored the claims many sports drink manufacturers make about the constant need to stay hydrated. They found that there is actually no need to "stay ahead of your thirst." In fact, the study concluded that overhydration can be far worse for you than dehydration. It also called out the hypocrisy of the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI), a Gatorade-owned research facility. Here's how GSSI describes itself:
"GSSI scientists study the effects of nutrition on the human body before, during and after exercise. For more than two decades, hundreds of amateur, elite and professional athletes have participated in testing with GSSI and in studies with university research partners around the world. GSSI’s headquarter lab, mobile and satellite laboratories and on the field testing enable GSSI to do leading research with the aim to provide athletes with advice and products that help their performance and achieve their goals."
But don't believe their benevolent claims. The Center for Food Safety reports, "With this sophisticated operation, Gatorade is seeking to legitimize its products as a necessary component to sports and for athletes, whether pro or amateur. It’s probably one of the most successful examples of marketing-driven science, given how prevalent Gatorade products are in sports."
So next time a sports drink advertisement tries to tell you that you need to immediately replace all the electrolytes you sweat out when you exercise, don't believe it.
(#8) Green Coffee Bean Extract

You've probably seen ads for green coffee bean extract (GCBE) all over the Internet, claiming that it causes significant weight loss. Shockingly, it doesn't. In 2014, Applied Food Sciences, Inc. (AFS) was fined $3.5 million by the FTC for its involvement in commissioning a study about GCBE that was so flawed it was retracted. AFS used the overwhelmingly positive results of its very bad study to market its green coffee bean extract product to retailers, who in turn used those results to market GCBE to consumers.

Just because a company claims the benefits of its product are supported by scientific research doesn't mean that research is any good.
(#3) Airborne

Think Airborne helps protect you from colds by boosting your immune system? Think again. Airborne settled a class-action lawsuit for $23.3 million over their claims that their product could help prevent colds. Save your money wash your hands more often instead.
(#1) Skechers Shape-ups

Skechers advertised that its "Shape-ups shoes would help people lose weight, and strengthen and tone their buttocks, legs, and abdominal muscles,” and their ads featured celebs Kim Kardashian and Brooke Burke. Yet they had to pay out a $40 million lawsuit to angry customers because the shoes didn't work as advertised.

None of Skechers's claims about the benefits of Shape-ups were supported by scientific evidence.