"Cleansing" diet drinks may sound like a healthy idea if you're trying to improve your vitality and lose weight. However, detoxifying weight loss methods that promise to work wonders may not live up to their claims, according to MayoClinic.com. In fact, some may even harm your body. Think before you drink.
Popular Diets
One of the most frequently followed "detoxifying" weight loss diet is called the Master Cleanse diet. It calls for dieters to drink warm salt water every morning, follow it with a concoction of water, maple syrup, lemon juice during the day and end the day with laxative tea, according to Harvard HEALTHbeat. Most proponents of the Master Cleanse recommend sticking to it for a minimum of 10 days but some people may stay on it for a month. Martha's Vineyard is another "detox" diet that can supposedly help you lose weight. It focuses on drinking mostly liquids such as fresh vegetable juices, berry drinks, green drinks, pureed vegetable soups and herb teas. The program generally lasts 21 days.
The Reality
Although some dieters report feeling increased energy and focus during and after a "cleansing" drink diet, this may be a placebo effect. Little evidence supports the notion that "cleansing" diet drinks can actually detoxify the body, according to MayoClinic.com. Any weight loss associated with such drinks may be due to extremely low caloric intake, loss of muscle and fluid loss through diarrhea.
Risks
Using a diet to "detoxify" your body may lead you to experience a host of side effects. Beware of symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, fatigue and dehydration. You may also become addicted to the "high" of going on the diet, which could lead you to further endanger your body.
Considerations
Your body is already equipped its own cleansing system. Your liver and kidneys help protect your body from most of the toxins you ingest from day to day. They then get rid of the waste by sending it out through through your bowels and urinary tract.
A Healthy Alternative
Rather than trying to lose weight and clear out your system with an unproven and potentially harmful diet, focus getting healthy the old-fashioned way: by eating a well-balanced diet, getting at least 30 minutes of exercise every day, sleeping at least seven to eight hours each night and by getting check-ups at your doctor's office, recommends Harvard HEALTHbeat.
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