Detox diets make incredible promises of dramatic weight loss and more energy, all achieved by flushing out toxins from the body. Toxins have very little to do with it; detox diets “work” because of the very severe food and energy restrictions they force you to follow.
Detoxification or liver cleansing diets have been around for many years. With amazing claims of quick and easy weight loss and improved health, plus a heavy dose of endorsement from Hollywood celebrities, it’s no wonder these diets are in the public spotlight.
The accumulation of toxins from our environment and from poor diet and bad lifestyle habits are believed to be the main culprits for weight gain, constipation, bloating, flatulence, poor digestion, heartburn. stomach, diarrhea, lack of energy and fatigue. “Detoxification” is the body’s way of eliminating these toxins and as a result, a person will feel healthier and lose weight.
Detox diets can vary from a simple diet of raw and unprocessed foods and the elimination of caffeine, alcohol and refined sugars to a much stricter diet bordering on starvation with only juices consumed.
Some detox programs may also recommend vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements. Detox diet programs can last anywhere from a day or two to several months.
Do detox diets work?
There is no shortage of glowing testimonials from people who have followed a detox diet, claiming to feel cleansed, energized and healthier. Proponents of detox diets have never put forward evidence to show that such diets help remove toxins from the body faster than our body normally removes them.
The idea that we have to follow a special diet to help our body eliminate toxins is not supported by medical science. Healthy adults have a wonderful system for removing waste and toxins from the body. Our lungs, kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and immune system are all primed to eliminate or neutralize toxic substances within hours of consuming them.
As for the dramatic weight loss generally observed, it is easily explained by the highly restrictive nature of detox diets, which can significantly reduce kilojoules.
Claims that typical physical side effects such as bad breath, fatigue, and various aches and pains are proof that the body is ridding itself of toxins simply do not hold up to scientific scrutiny. Bad breath and fatigue are simply symptoms of the body going into starvation mode.
The Many Disadvantages of Detox Diets
Besides the false claim that a detox diet actually “detoxifies” the body, these diets have many well-documented drawbacks, including:
- Feeling tired and lack of energy
- Cost of the detox kit if a commercial program is followed
- Cost of purchasing organic food if required
- Purchase of supplements if recommended by the diet
- Stomach and intestinal ailments
- Difficulties eating out and socializing, as most restaurants and social occasions do not involve detox-friendly meals.
The biggest downside to detox diets, especially the more extreme ones, is that any weight loss achieved is usually temporary and results more from a loss of water and glycogen (the body’s carbohydrate store) than body fat. . This means that the lost weight is easily and quickly regained once the person returns to a more normal diet. These dramatic weight fluctuations can be demoralizing and lead to yo-yo dieting.
Following a typical detox diet for a few days poses little real health risk to otherwise healthy people. Very restrictive detox diets, such as water or juice-only fasting, can be a dangerous form of weight loss and should not be used for more than a few days.
The verdict of the choice
In 2005, Choice made a survey and expert review of popular detox diets sold in supermarkets and pharmacies.
Choice has found no strong evidence that we need to “detox,” or that following a detox program will increase the removal of toxins from your body. Some of the popular detox kits have overly restrictive diet plans and little or no rational dietary advice.
Detox diets may do little harm to most people, except perhaps to their bank balance, but they also don’t do much good on their own. Concerted changes in diet and lifestyle are far more valuable than detox diets and supplements.
