Exercise, sleep, goal setting, organization, reading and note-taking are typical tips for academic success.
But what about raw meat?
TikTok influencer Mackenzie Merriott claims eating raw liver is key to her achieving a 4.0 grade point average (GPA).
Merriott, a full-time psychology student at the University of Alberta, said she’s received praise and criticism for her lifestyle videos in a 2024 Gateway article.
Merriott also claims drinking bone broth and salted water, increasing cholesterol and waking up early contribute to her cognitive function and personal success.
What does your brain need to succeed?
There’s no doubt that some nutrients are scientifically associated with cognitive performance.
Carbohydrates, for instance, are essential for energy storage.
Carrie Mullin Innes, a registered dietitian in Calgary, says the brain needs approximately 120 to 130 grams of carbohydrates daily.
“It’s a preferred source of fuel,” said Mullin Innes. “Oatmeal or whole grains stabilize your blood sugar and facilitate long-term energy storage.”
Protein is also an essential nutrient. A 2022 Harvard study found that protein intake was directly associated with a slower cognitive decline.
Canada’s food guide suggests protein foods for healthy diets: eggs, lean meats and poultry, nuts and seeds, fish, lower-fat dairy products, beans, peas, lentils, and fortified soy, such as tofu or soybeans.
Although raw liver is low in fat, high in protein and rich in nutrients such as vitamin A and iron, it’s also high in cholesterol.
And despite Merriott’s claims that the brain loves cholesterol, Mullin Innes says there is no known association between the two.
“If anything, a high cholesterol diet has the potential to clog arteries,” stressed the dietitian about Merriott’s claim that increased cholesterol leads to a higher GPA.
“We have a lot of vessels leading to our brain — if those are clogged, [cholesterol] might do the opposite,” she added.
Saltwater and higher grades?
In addition to her cholesterol claims, Merriott links drinking salted water to her academic success.
Experts say people might need to salt their water to increase water retention. Adequate hydration is also linked to improved performance, especially in athletes.
However, salting your water can be harmful based on your daily intake. Health Canada suggests the average Canadian adult needs 1500 mg or ⅓ tsp of salt daily.
“The average Canadian diet contains more than enough sodium that you would not need to [supplement salt],” said Mullen Innes.
Risk over reward for raw meat
Nutritionists and health care professionals discourage eating raw meat because it can cause food-borne illnesses like salmonella or E. coli.
A basic Google search highlights the risks of consuming raw meat through articles from websites such as the National Institute of Health, Health Line and the Canadian Institute of Food Safety.
A salmonella infection can lead to hospitalization if the individual becomes dehydrated, and E. coli can cause kidney failure. Both can become life-threatening.
A study published in the Journal of Food Protection found that “young adults (aged between 18 and 29 years), especially those with higher education, are the most likely to engage in risky food handling.”
Mullin Innes emphasizes that eating raw meat comes with risk.
“Sure, there might be people eating raw meat, and nothing’s happened to them. Would they eventually encounter something? Possibly,” said Mullin Innes.
Merriott’s TikTok account boasts nearly 80 thousand followers.
Mullin Innes worries that Merriott presents her claims linking her diet with academic success without scientific evidence.
“What leads to a good GPA? It’s a bunch of things, right? Are you able to maintain focus? Are you motivated? Do you put the effort in? It’s more than just simple nutrition. It’s not a one-stop shop… there’s so much more that we know goes into academic success,” said Mullin Innes.
“Testimonials are not the same as science,” stressed Mullin Innes.
To understand how Merriott connects her diet to her 4.0 GPA, the Calgary Journal contacted her.
Merriott declined the Journal’s request for an interview and did not respond to a follow-up request outlining the Journal’s fact-checking reporting about her claims.
Rating the facts
Based on scientific evidence and the Calgary Journal’s interview with a dietician, there is no known scientific relationship between eating raw liver, increasing cholesterol, drinking salted water and achieving success.
Do other nutrients play a role in mental functioning? Yes – but evidence suggests no direct correlation to a higher GPA.
“Eating a regular balanced diet with enough carbohydrates and iron and drinking enough water would be easier ways to achieve good energy, brain function and vitality,” said Mullin Innes.
Based on evidence, Merriott’s diet and boosting grades claims are misleading.
Read more of the Calgary Journal’s fact-cheking reporting here. Learn about our method and process for fact-checking here. If you have an idea for a fact-check, contact us.
