The spoon trick was introduced by the makers of the magazine "Bright Side". All you need is a spoon, a small plastic bag that can be sealed airtight and a lamp. The trick only takes a minute.

This is how it works

Scrape the spoon over the entire surface of your tongue. Use the side of the spoon that is curved inwards. Then place it in the plastic bag. Place the bag under a lamp and wait for one minute. Now you can take the spoon out of the bag and take a closer look at it. Check whether or not a coating has formed, for example. Also pay attention to whether the spoon gives off an unpleasant odor or simply smells like nothing at all.

This is what the results of the spoon test mean:

Yellowish coating: if there is a thick, yellow coating on the spoon, this may indicate thyroid disease.
Purple coating: This can indicate bronchitis. But it can also indicate a high cholesterol level or poor blood circulation.
White coating: If there is a whitish coating on the spoon, this may indicate a respiratory disease.

If the coating on the spoon smells:

A sweetish odor could be a sign of diabetes. If the spoon smells strong or foul, it could be a gastrointestinal disorder, and if it smells of ammonia, it could be kidney problems.

Spoon trick never replaces a visit to the doctor

Important: the spoon check never replaces a visit to the GP. It only serves as a first quick self-diagnosis at home. In addition, a coating on the tongue does not necessarily mean that you are ill. So, if in doubt, always go to the doctor if you feel ill.