People are spending hundreds on trendy IV vitamin drips. But are they worth the money?

Hand sanitiser. Masks. Working from home.

In the wake of the pandemic, there's never been a greater focus on our health - the last two years have forced it on us.

Whether that's because of contracting COVID, catching the common cold or simply becoming rundown, taking care of our immune systems has become a big part of our everyday lives.

For this reason, many are looking to alternative methods that boast health benefits and don't require a visit to the doctor or a prescription. 

And now, as we stare down three months of winter and flu season kicks into gear, it makes sense we'd be looking to arm ourselves against unnecessary illnesses.

Watch: Love a good myth bust? Here's a bunch of common health myths debunked. Post continues below.

Which brings us to two wellness treatments that have surged in popularity in recent times: IV vitamin drips and personalised supplements (you know, those little packs you buy online that are designed just for you?). And it's no surprise - both claim to strengthen the immune system and aid various health problems.

But do either actually work? Or is it just good marketing, convincing us to spend more money on things we don't need? Here's what three experts say.

IV vitamin drips.

There's a good chance you've seen celebrities and influencers posting about them on Instagram, but for some background, IV vitamin therapy is where an intravenous (into a vein) fluid mixed with various vitamins and sometimes other additives is fed directly into the body through the blood.

The method was pioneered by John Myers in the 1960s (the Myers Cocktail, a popular formula, was named after him by a colleague) as a way to treat conditions including asthma attacks, migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. 

(A clinical study of the effect of the Myers Cocktail on fibromyalgia patients found some improvement but no significant differences were seen.)

Those in favour of the treatment believe the method enables you to obtain more nutrients, as you avoid the digestion process. And in recent years, it's become quite... trendy.

In the United States, mobile IV lounges have taken off, popping up on film sets and at music festivals like Coachella. 

Fans of the method include celebrities Chrissy Teigen, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kelly Osbourne and Adele, who reportedly relied on vitamin drips to get her through an eight-night run of shows at LA's Staples Center. 

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In Australia, the treatment is becoming increasingly popular, with local celebrities and influencers using them when feeling rundown or after a big night (there are claims they can help with hangovers). Pip Edwards recently posted a photo on Instagram having fluids administered from the comfort of her home.

There are "cocktail" options to boost immunity, mental clarity, collagen, and even some that claim to help with fitness recovery and weight loss.

And they're not cheap. Australian mobile IV companies offer these customised IV vitamin drips for anywhere between $100-$300 per drip, and suggest you buy a multi-pack, which will set you back at least $800.

But can vitamins through a needle really do what they claim? According to Dr Kieran Kennedy, no.

"On a broad level, fluid drips of any kind provide the body with hydration, so claims of this are technically true (whether someone actually needs rehydration or not)," the doctor told Mamamia. 

"As for wider claims that are often attached to IV vitamin therapy, the vast majority of these have little to no actual medical evidence at all. Claims of better skin, shinier hair, improved focus, better moods or curing a hangover aren’t generally backed by evidence."

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"It’s [also] really important to know that the claims often attached to these drips aren’t regulated," he added.

There are potential risks involved too, including infection at the needle site, bleeding and damage to nerves, veins or other structures around the area. Not good.

"In rare cases there’s the chance of an allergic reaction to the fluid or what’s added to it, and as we’ve said, getting high levels of excess vitamins and minerals when the body doesn’t need them can actually lead to potential health problems and risks as well."

So, does a doctor see any benefit in this treatment? "I wouldn’t recommend IV vitamin infusions, no," Dr Kieran said.

"For those without vitamin deficiencies who are healthy and hydrating with a balanced oral diet, the evidence isn’t backed for any added benefits to IV vitamin infusions.

"Medically, even if the risks are low here, it’s likely that for most people the risks outweigh the actual evidence based benefits."

There you have it. Save your money, folks!

Personalised supplements.

Over the past few years, the supplement industry has grown rapidly - and there's a good chance you've noticed, with many beauty and lifestyle brands branching into the wellness sector and releasing their own ranges. 

A 2021 study by Complementary Medicines Australia shows that the supplement sector in Australia is valued at a whopping $5.69 billion dollars. 

The majority of that is vitamin and dietary supplements, followed by sports supplements, herbal and weight loss products.

According to Future Food Systems, the most commonly taken vitamins by Australians are Vitamin D, followed by multivitamins and Vitamin C.

But while most people used to take these vitamins to combat the symptoms of the common cold, people are now using them to boost their overall immune system - whether sick or not. And sadly, it's almost entirely a waste of money.

"For most people, [supplements] make very expensive wee," Clare Collins, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Newcastle told Mamamia's The Quicky.

"In Australia, around 30 per cent of people take a least one type of supplement as the safeguard, and yet for most people, it's not going to do them any good and occasionally, it may even do them some harm."

Read more: The 7 myths about vitamins experts want you to stop believing.

After contracting COVID-19 in January 2022, Mamamia's Head of Content, Holly Wainwright, started taking various immune-boosting supplements to help with her constant exhaustion. She did her own research and ordered what sounded fit.

"I bought a lot of supplements online... [and] in a sort of panic about my immune system, I started taking what I think turned out to be quite large doses of vitamins without any expert advice," Holly told The Quicky.

While she recovered from COVID-19 and the exhaustion eventually went away, something else went wrong.

In April, Holly collapsed in pain. It was a kidney stone; and the doctors believe the supplements contributed to it.

"For me to have a sudden onset kidney stone, at this point where not a lot of other lifestyle factors had changed, there's a possibility I was taking too many vitamins and that led to a calcium build-up," Holly said.

"The most common kidney stone [is caused by that]. So, I've been advised to pull right back on the supplements."

Listen to Mamamia's daily news podcast, The Quicky. In this episode, host Claire Murphy speaks to an expert in supplements about whether they're really worth it. Post continues after audio.

Most recently, wellness brands have taken supplements one step further, and created a concept where consumers can buy personalised pills.

It's as simple as going onto a website and filling out a health questionnaire. You receive a cute looking pack to take every day, designed just for you.

But when there's so little evidence to back taking supplements in the first place, can customisation change that?

Dietitian Lyndi Cohen and the founder of the Back to Basics app, says personalisation is a step in the right direction if someone is looking to take supplements. But she insists on getting some expert advice first.

"Speaking to an expert health care professional who can tailor your vitamin and mineral needs specifically for you would be better than simply filling out an online survey," she told Mamamia.

"Ultimately though, you certainly don't need to buy supplements for your health. Most of us can get all the nutrients we need from food."

So, while you might have considered vitamin IV drips or personalised supplements, know that the experts don't see the real benefit in taking either.

Feature image: Getty/Mamamia.