Tamil Nadu College Student Dies After Consuming Borax Following Social Media Weight Loss Tip

A 19-year-old college student in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, died after consuming borax (venkaaram), a substance she purchased from a local shop following a YouTube video claiming it aids weight loss. After ingestion, she developed severe vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain, leading to her death en route to Government Rajaji Hospital. Authorities have registered a case and are investigating. Medical experts warn against following unverified social media health advice and highlight the toxic risks of borax consumption.