Fact check: Bleach can disinfect your stomach

1. Summary of the results

1. Summary of the results

The claim is demonstrably false and dangerous. Bleach is a corrosive chemical designed for external cleaning that causes severe damage when ingested, including first-degree burns to the esophagus, respiratory tract damage, and potentially fatal complications.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original statement omits critical safety information about bleach:

• It is specifically designed as an external cleaning agent
• Medical protocols explicitly warn against inducing vomiting if bleach is ingested
• Immediate medical attention is required if accidental ingestion occurs
• Even small amounts can cause permanent tissue damage
• Large volume ingestion can be fatal

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

This dangerous misinformation has appeared in various forms, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. The statement dangerously oversimplifies the nature of:

• Human digestive system, which has its own natural mechanisms for fighting pathogens
• Chemical properties of bleach, which destroys both harmful and beneficial organisms indiscriminately
• The difference between surface disinfection and internal body processes

The promotion of bleach as an internal treatment has historically benefited certain alternative medicine proponents and supplement sellers who market "miracle mineral solutions" (which are essentially industrial bleach). These dangerous claims have been repeatedly debunked by medical authorities and have led to numerous hospitalizations and deaths.