The Master Cleanse Diet, which is more commonly referred to as the lemonade diet, is a diet plan that purports to eliminate toxins from within your body while rapidly reducing your weight, according to "The Master Cleanser." It is an extremely calorie-restrictive diet designed for short-term weight loss. The Master Cleanse Diet is not recommended as a long-term weight loss solution and should only be performed under the care of your doctor.
About the Master Cleanse Diet
The Master Cleanse is a short-term weight loss and detoxification diet that lasts for a minimum of 10 days, but can last up to 40. Many people consider the Master Cleanse to be a fast route to weight loss, and while this is partially true, most people will still consume over 1,000 calories daily from the ingredients found in the prepared drink, according to "The Complete Master Cleanse." While on the diet, your nourishment comes from six to 12 daily glasses of lemonade made with water, lemon juice, cayenne pepper and maple syrup. The exact amounts of each ingredient varies depending on which of the many versions of the lemonade you are making. Aside from the lemonade, you will drink one quart of salt water as soon as you wake up and one cup of herbal laxative tea at bedtime. At the end of the diet, you transition back to normal foods by eating raw fruits and vegetables for three days before incorporating normal foods back into your diet.
Benefits
When performed on an occasional basis, the Master Cleanse Diet may provide several positive benefits. If you are looking for a way to lose weight quickly to look good in a bathing suit or during a business function, this type of diet may help you achieve these goals. Although the weight you lose will be primarily water weight and will likely come back shortly after completing the diet, it may be a way to lose a quick 15 to 20 pounds. Another benefit of the diet is that it gives you a chance to reset your eating habits, getting away from junk food and eating a diet consisting of healthy, wholesome choices upon completion of the lemonade diet.
Disadvantages
As previously stated, any weight that is lost during the Master Cleanse will consist mainly of water weight and commonly returns if you revert to your old eating habits. Diarrhea is also common on the diet because of the herbal laxative tea that you drink in the evenings. Other common disadvantages and side effects may include nausea, dehydration and fatigue, according to MayoClinic.com.
Considerations
Any type of fasting or cleansing diet can be dangerous if performed improperly or too often. Before beginning the Master Cleanse, a consultation with your doctor is strongly recommended. Speaking with your doctor may help avoid potential health complications that may occur as the result of any underlying conditions.
References
- "The Master Cleanser"; Stanley Burroghs; 1976
- "The Complete Master Cleanse"; Tom Woloshyn; 2007
- MayoClinic.com: Detox Diets: Do They Work; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
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