Footballer Vinícius Júnior and influencer Virginia Fonseca visited a U.S. clinic this month for intravenous vitamin treatments known as soroterapia [1, 2].
The public promotion of these "beauty serums" raises concerns among medical professionals regarding the lack of scientific evidence supporting their efficacy for energy and immunity [2, 3].
The treatments were administered in July, shortly after Brazil's elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup [2]. Marketed as a rapid method to increase energy and provide cosmetic benefits, the drips typically contain a cocktail of vitamins and drugs [2, 3].
Fonseca shared her experience on social media, describing the effect of the treatment. "I am another woman. It simply raised a corpse," Fonseca said. She said the serum contained B12 and vitamin C, adding that she told her partner to include whatever was available in the mix [1].
Despite these testimonials, health experts said the method is ineffective [2]. Medical critics said that for individuals without a diagnosed deficiency, the body cannot absorb these high doses of vitamins intravenously for aesthetic or energy-boosting purposes. Most excess vitamins are simply excreted by the body, rendering the expensive process medically unnecessary for the general population [2].
The trend of celebrity-endorsed IV therapy has grown in the U.S., where clinics offer various "wellness" packages. However, the gap between influencer testimonials and clinical data remains wide, with scientific sources maintaining there is no proof that these drips improve immunity or beauty [2, 3].
“"I am another woman. It simply raised a corpse."”
The contrast between Virginia Fonseca's testimonial and the medical consensus highlights a growing tension between the 'wellness' industry and evidence-based medicine. When high-profile athletes and influencers promote unverified medical treatments, it can lead the public to prioritize anecdotal success over clinical safety and efficacy, potentially driving demand for costly procedures that offer no proven health benefits.
