Middle East - In April 2026, Dr. Diaa Al Awadi, an Egyptian anesthesiologist and intensivist who later became widely known as a nutrition and lifestyle guru and founder of “Al Tayyibat” diet, was found dead in Dubai after reportedly suffering a heart attack.
Despite his death, the Al Tayyibat diet continues to spread across several Arab countries. It has gained traction among social media users and online communities, while also drawing concern from doctors, nutritionists, and public health authorities because of its controversial and unconventional claims.
What is the Al Tayyibat Diet?
The Al Tayyibat diet was promoted by the late Dr. Al Awadi as a pathway to achieving a healthier body. He claimed that it could help people recover from chronic fatigue, hypertension, diabetes, and even cancer.
However, the diet was not presented as a simple nutrition plan. It was part of a broader and more concerning set of claims suggesting that modern medicine is not always needed to treat illness, and that a healthy gut and proper diet are enough to reverse several diseases.
The diet classifies food into “tayyibat” and “khabithat,” essentially “good” and “bad” foods. It rejects many foods usually considered part of a balanced diet, including eggs, poultry, leafy greens such as parsley, coriander, lettuce, legumes such as fava beans and lentils, and all forms of pasta.
At the same time, the diet promotes foods that are not usually associated with strict health diets, including up to 15 teaspoons of daily sugar intake, yellow cheeses such as cheddar, edam, and gouda, as well as canned juices, while fresh juice is restricted.
Perhaps the most concerning part is discouraging the use of painkillers, anti-inflammatory medication, and vitamins, based on the claim that they only treat symptoms rather than the root cause.
What is the Rationale?
Supporters of the diet often refer to explanations about gut inflammation, cortisol, and overall gut health. However, the Al Tayyibat diet is not supported by peer-reviewed studies or internationally recognized medical guidelines. Its scientific basis remains largely built on claims adopted and promoted by Dr. Al Awadi himself.
This became more concerning as his online following grew. Before his death, his YouTube channel had 341,000 followers, his Facebook page reportedly reached around two million followers, and several large Facebook groups, reaching almost half a million, dedicated to the diet continued to grow, including after his death.
Backlash and Official Bans
The controversy did not go unnoticed. Before his death, Dr. Al Awadi had already faced disciplinary action from the Egyptian Medical Syndicate over claims that were described as contradicting established medical science and misleading the public. His clinics in Egypt were also reportedly closed.
After his death, the trend continued to grow. Doctors, nutritionists, and TV presenters began warning the public against following the diet, especially when it involved stopping prescribed medications for chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
Eventually, Egypt’s Supreme Council for Media Regulation ordered a ban on publishing or circulating audio, visual, or written content by Dr. Al Awadi, saying that the material could harm public health and pose a direct risk to citizens.
The concern also extended beyond Egypt. On June 8, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health warned against the Tayyibat diet after several people were reportedly admitted to intensive care after stopping insulin treatment in favor of the diet. Similarly, doctors and nutritionists in Oman also warned the public to follow balanced diets based on scientific evidence and to continue proper medical treatment for chronic diseases.
What is the Truth?
Even after his death, Dr. Al Awadi’s legacy as the promoter of a “miracle diet” continues online. Many users still claim that they were “cured” after following the diet, while others continue to share his videos and defend his ideas.
But the controversy points to a deeper issue in the Arab region. Social media has become a major source of health information for many people, but not all widely shared content is accurate, safe, or evidence-based. When health advice encourages people to stop medication or replace medical care with unverified diets, the risks can become life-threatening.
There is also the wider issue of health literacy. In many communities, healthcare remains difficult to access because of cost, distance, distrust, or weak public health systems. In this context, miracle cures can become appealing because they offer simple answers to complex health problems.
This is why public health authorities, ministries, professional syndicates, and media regulators have a responsibility not only to restrict harmful medical misinformation, but also to provide clear, timely, and accessible health information. People need reliable guidance before misinformation fills the gap.
The Al Tayyibat controversy is part of a larger problem. The growing influence of online health advice, the limits of public trust in healthcare systems, and the urgent need to make evidence-based medical information easier for the public to understand and access.
