The lemon cleanse diet, or Master Cleanse, is a diet and detoxification program. Food is eliminated altogether during the main phase of the diet and replaced by a homemade lemonade drink. Proponents of the diet suggest that this rests the digestive tract, purges toxins and encourages quick weight loss. There's no doubt that this is an extreme diet, but is it right for you?
History
There's nothing new about lemon cleanses or the Master Cleanse plan. The cleansing program was developed in 1941 by Stanley Burroughs and popularized by his book "The Master Cleanser." While the original intent was cleansing and detoxification, many people today use the lemon cleanse for weight loss. The so-called lemonade diet was then popularized by Beyonce, when she used it to quickly shed weight for a role.
Function
While you will likely lose weight while doing a lemon cleanse, diet proponents claim a wide variety of benefits, most centered around cleaning out the digestive system. The liquid diet allows the colon to rest, while laxatives and salt water purge built up material in the digestive tract. Purported benefits of the 10- to 45-day fast include more balanced hormones, higher energy and clearer skin.
Recipe
The lemon cleanse diet relies upon a lemonade drink, made fresh before consuming or mixed into larger bottles to drink throughout the day. This replaces all food during the course of the main phase of the diet. This, along with pure water and natural, noncaffeinated, herbal teas, is consumed throughout the day. According to The Master Cleanse website, you should add 2 tbsp. pure grade B maple syrup and 1/10 tsp. of cayenne pepper, then mix and drink.
Considerations
Typically, the diet is combined with laxative teas and salt water flushes to keep the bowel empty. Ideally, you will drink a senna-based laxative tea in the evening, and then drink a combination of sea salt and water in the morning to trigger multiple bowel movements. With the colon empty of solids, this process theoretically removes waste build up.
Warning
According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no proven benefit to detoxification diets like the Master Cleanse. Even proponents of the diet acknowledge that you should expect to feel weak, tired, crampy or generally unwell. More serious potential side effects include dehydration, dizziness and nausea. It is important to consult your health care provider before beginning a lemon cleanse to assess the relative safety for you.
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