The sea salt diet drink is often used as a part of the Master Cleanse. By combining fasting with regular salt water flushes, the theory is that you will remove built up waste material from the colon and encourage the release of toxins that you've accumulated from food and the environment. Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence to back up these claims, according to MayoClinic.com.
Definition
According to Peter Glickman, the sea salt diet drink is a part of the Master Cleanse diet, which is a three to 14 day program intended to clear the body of toxins and cause rapid weight loss. The Master Cleanse requires that practitioners drink a special lemonade made from lemon juice, water, maple syrup and cayenne pepper and periodically drink a salt water solution to induce bowel movements. This combination forces waste from the body and supposedly encourages toxin elimination.
Context
Created in the 1940s by Stanley Burroughs, the Master Cleanse was originally an alternative way to treat ulcers, says Glickman. However, it's now utilized as a quick weight loss regimen. Unfortunately, any weight you lose on this diet is bound to be gained back as soon as you stop fasting, notes Diet Choices.
Ingredients
The sea salt diet drink is a mixture of two tsp. of sea salt that's not iodized and two quarts of water that is slightly warm. The mixture is shaken and taken quickly. You should not sip it, says Glickman, because the point is to rapidly flush out the intestines.
Digestive Upset
Drinking the sea salt diet drink will cause digestive upset. Once you drink it, you will likely spend considerable amounts of time in the bathroom, since your body won't absorb the sea salt water and it will move through your digestive system very quickly. Try to coordinate the time you take the sea salt drink to a moment when you will have a few hours near a bathroom, says Diet Choices. Nausea is also common, notes Glickman, since the salt water solution can be unpalatable to some.
Caution
Doing the Master Cleanse and consuming sea salt diet drinks is not meant for everyone. If you have ulcers or other digestive issues, consult your physician before starting this diet. Likewise, performing any detox diet can cause unpleasant side effects, some of which are dangerous, notes MayoClinic.com, including dehydration, fatigue, dizziness and headaches.
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