Master Cleanse Fast Pros & Cons

The Master Cleanse is an all liquid diet by Stanley Burroughs that requires you to drink only the Master Cleanse Lemonade while on the diet and avoid solid foods. The lemonade consists of spring water with cayenne, maple syrup and freshly squeezed lemons. This diet claims to detoxify the body to aid in fighting disease, clear skin and give you more energy, according to the New York Times. This diet is extremely low calorie and can be dangerous, so check with your doctor before beginning it.

Fasting Benefits

The Master Cleanse Diet is a fasting diet, which can give your gastrointestinal system a rest, according to Don Colbert, M.D.. One to three day fasts can help restore your body's natural pH balance, relax your body, mind and emotions and can be a very spiritual experience, notes Vanderbilt University. Many people also experience weight loss as a benefit of fasting.

Harmful Side Effects

Since the Master Cleanse diet is a fasting diet, it can cause damage to your body if done for more than a few days. MayoClinic.com states that detox diets can lead to dehydration, fatigue, stomach problems and dizziness. Not eating solid food for 10 days or more can be stressful on your GI tract and cause intestinal distress.

Future Weight Gain

This diet provides very low nutrient value, which can cause extreme energy loss and slow your metabolism. Very low calorie diets can cause the body to go into starvation mode and trigger your body to hold onto any calories consumed. This extreme difference in caloric intake, often referred to as yo-yo dieting, is a major cause of weight gain.