Cayenne Pepper And Lemon Diet

If you've been looking to drop a few pounds in a hurry, you may be tempted to try the Master Cleanse, a detoxification diet that involves drinking nothing but a mixture of cayenne pepper, lemon juice and maple syrup. The Master Cleanse may cause health problems in some individuals and was not created by a doctor, according to New York dietitian Mary Jane Detroyer in the article "What is a Detox Diet?" in Fitness magazine.

History

The Master Cleanse diet, also known as the Master Cleanser, the Lemonade Diet or the Lemon Cleanse, was created by Stanley Burroughs in the 1950s. He published a book called "The Master Cleanser" detailing the specific steps for the diet. According to Burroughs, the diet removes toxins from the body and prevents cravings for junk food. Burroughs was charged with involuntary manslaughter and practicing medicine without a license in 1960 when a patient he was treating with the Master Cleanse diet died while under Burroughs' supervision.

Features

Before starting the Master Cleanse diet, Burroughs recommends easing into the diet by eating nothing but fruits and vegetables the first day, drinking only vegetable and fruit juices and vegetable broth the second day, and drinking only orange juice the third day. During the diet, drink only the lemonade mixture, which is made of 2 tbsp. grade-B maple syrup, 2 tbsp. lemon juice, 1/10 tsp cayenne pepper and 8 oz. of spring water. After the diet, reverse the three-day introduction to the diet by drinking only orange juice the first day, drinking fruit and vegetable juices and vegetable broth the second day, and eating fruits and vegetables the third day. Spend approximately 10 days following the lemonade mixture portion of the diet. Some people opt to drink only the lemonade mixture for up to 40 days.

Considerations

The first few days of the Master Cleanse diet may be difficult to stick to because no food is eaten whatsoever, according to EveryDiet.org in the article "Lemonade Diet." The Master Cleanse diet may cause you to lose water weight, but most of the weight will return after you begin eating solid food again. Side effects of the Master Cleanse may include dizziness, diarrhea, an upset stomach and other gastrointestinal distress.

Expert Insight

According to Detroyer, following the Master Cleanse diet may be stressful on the gastrointestinal tract because no solid food is eaten for the duration of the diet. Additionally, there is not enough research available to determine whether the Master Cleanse diet is actually an effective detoxification regimen, says Detroyer.

Warning

The Master Cleanse diet was purportedly used by Beyonce Knowles to lose weight. The diet is not recommended as a weight-loss regimen, although weight loss may occur because the diet provides the body with very few calories. The diet does not provide the body with adequate calories, minerals, vitamins or protein. Use the Master Cleanse diet only under the strict supervision of your doctor.