Actor Hwang Jung-eum buys acupressure slippers for weight loss — but do they work?

Actor Hwang Jung-eum recently said she gained more than 5 kilograms while traveling and has been looking into acupressure slippers as a weight-loss aid. The slippers, designed with raised nodules on the sole to stimulate the bottom of the foot, are a common household item marketed primarily for fatigue relief — but questions remain about whether they can actually help with weight loss or swelling.

Hwang said on her YouTube channel that her weight climbed from 51 to 52 kilograms before her trip to 57 kilograms after returning home. She set a target weight of 51.7 kilograms and said she planned to actively manage her weight.

During a visit to Namdaemun Market in Seoul's Jung-gu, Hwang examined a pair of acupressure slippers and said they "help when you're dieting."

Acupressure slippers are footwear built with protruding nodules on the insole that press against the bottom of the foot. As the wearer walks or stands, pressure is applied to the sole, producing a sensation similar to a massage.

Stimulating the soles of the feet may offer some relief from fatigue, but any effect on weight loss needs to be considered alongside physical activity and dietary habits.

Post-trip weight gain of 5 kg — fluid retention plays a role

A sudden jump in weight after traveling can result from a combination of factors, including changes in eating habits and an increase in the body's fluid levels.

While traveling, people tend to eat out more often and consume larger quantities of food. Frequent intake of high-sodium foods, carbohydrates and alcohol in particular can lead to significant weight fluctuations.

Sodium is a key electrolyte that regulates the body's fluid balance. Eating salty food can cause a temporary increase in retained water, pushing the number on the scale higher.

Carbohydrate intake also plays a role. Carbohydrates consumed through food are broken down into glucose and used as an energy source; some are stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen.

Glycogen is stored alongside water. When carbohydrate intake rises above normal levels and glycogen stores increase, the body's total fluid volume can rise as well.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, body weight can shift in the short term due to water retention, food being digested and hormonal changes. High-sodium or high-carbohydrate meals are among the most common triggers of temporary weight gain.

Long-haul flights and extended time in a vehicle can also contribute. Sitting for prolonged periods reduces movement in the leg muscles, making it easier for blood and bodily fluids to pool in the lower body — causing the feet and ankles to swell and the legs to feel heavy.

In some cases, actual body fat does increase during travel. If a person consistently consumes more calories than usual while reducing physical activity, the surplus energy can be stored as fat.

To manage weight after a trip, it helps to first restore regular meals, sleep and physical activity. Weighing yourself each morning after using the bathroom, under consistent conditions, and tracking the trend over several days is a more reliable approach than checking a single reading.

Can stimulating the soles of the feet reduce fatigue? What foot massage research shows

When wearing acupressure slippers, the nodules on the sole repeatedly press against the bottom of the foot. With each step, different areas of the foot are stimulated, producing a sensation similar to a massage.

The soles of the feet contain a network of sensory nerves. When consistent pressure and stimulation are applied, sensory receptors in the skin and muscles respond and register the sensation.

Some research suggests foot massage may help reduce feelings of fatigue.

A 2017 study published in the international journal Archives of Allied Health Sciences compared the effects of foot massage and rest on foot fatigue in 16 healthy adults.

Participants first induced foot fatigue by standing for an extended period, then either received a five-minute foot massage using a coconut shell or sat and rested for the same amount of time.

Fatigue scores after the foot massage fell from an average of about 72 millimeters to 16 millimeters. Scores in the rest-only group also dropped — from about 71 millimeters to 28 millimeters — but the reduction was greater after massage.

Toe grip strength also improved more significantly in the massage group.

The researchers concluded that a brief foot massage may help relieve foot fatigue caused by prolonged standing.

However, the study involved only 16 participants and did not directly test the effects of wearing acupressure slippers.

Walking in acupressure slippers also engages the ankle and calf muscles. The calf muscles in particular help pump venous blood back toward the heart through repeated contraction and relaxation.

This is why walking and ankle exercises are recommended for people who spend long hours sitting or standing.

Regular walking and muscle movement matter more for circulation and fluid movement in the legs than foot stimulation alone.

While plantar massage may offer temporary fatigue relief, there is insufficient medical evidence that pressing specific pressure points increases fat burning or reduces body weight.

Even if wearing acupressure slippers makes the feet or legs feel lighter, any actual reduction in body fat needs to be verified separately.

Prolonged wear can strain the soles — weight loss requires more activity

Acupressure slippers are designed to apply consistent pressure to the soles of the feet, and the level of stimulation varies depending on how long they are worn and how firm the nodules are.

If the nodules are too hard or too tall, pressure can concentrate on specific areas of the sole. Wearing them for extended periods may cause redness, calluses or pain.

The heel and the area beneath the toes bear the most body weight and are particularly vulnerable. Repeated impact on the sole can worsen existing pain in those areas.

People with plantar fasciopathy — inflammation or degenerative changes in the plantar fascia — may experience increased pain while walking in such footwear. Shoes that provide adequate support and shock absorption are more appropriate for this condition.

The American Podiatric Medical Association recommends checking for arch support, cushioning and stability when choosing slippers, noting that footwear that fails to adequately support the foot can cause heel and plantar pain with prolonged use.

First-time users of acupressure slippers should start with short wearing periods and monitor the level of stimulation and the condition of their skin. If pain, numbness or skin damage develops where the nodules make contact, use should be discontinued.

People with diabetic neuropathy who have reduced sensation in their feet need to be especially cautious, as excessive pressure on the sole may cause wounds without the person feeling sufficient pain to notice.

For those whose primary goal is weight loss, increasing everyday physical activity is more effective than relying on acupressure slippers.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases recommends managing caloric intake and maintaining regular physical activity for weight loss and long-term weight management.

Adults are advised to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, along with strength training at least twice a week.

Brisk walking, cycling and swimming are effective ways to increase calorie expenditure. Strength training plays an important role in preserving muscle mass during the weight-loss process.

Immediately after a trip, the priority should be restoring normal daily activity levels. Reducing excess sodium in meals, drinking enough water and building a habit of regular walking can help with both weight management and reducing swelling.

Acupressure slippers can serve as a supplementary lifestyle item for easing foot fatigue. For weight loss, however, managing physical activity and dietary habits together remains essential.