Many foods in the typical American diet contain chemical additives, and some people become concerned that ingesting these chemicals might negatively affect their health. Cleanse diets supposedly clear your system of chemical toxins and improve overall well-being, but these claims are not validated by scientific evidence, so talk to your doctor before beginning a cleanse diet.
Purpose
A modern diet of factory farm-raised beef, processed foods, soda and sweets introduces your body to dozens of non-natural chemicals. Foods might contain trace pesticides, hormones, additives, preservatives, artificial sweeteners and other chemicals. Other chemicals in your body come from non-food sources such as air pollution, water pollution or tobacco use. According to the website Just Cleansing, toxic chemicals cause weight gain, sluggishness, gastrointestinal problems, gas, anxiety, depression and other medical symptoms, but many conventional medicine practitioners question whether exposure to environmental chemicals underlies these health problems. The purpose of a cleanse diet is to clear your body of toxic chemicals and restore your good health.
Types of Cleanse Diets
Dozens of cleanse diets claim to have detoxifying effects. The Master Cleanse, a popular cleanse diet, requires dieters to drink a beverage made from lemonade, maple syrup and cayenne pepper. During a juice fast, you must drink only homemade juices made from fruits and vegetables. Other detoxifying diets include the raw food diet, model detox diet and the candida diet. When following a cleanse diet, you must significantly restrict your food intake to one or two food groups. Many cleanses also include herbal remedies to clear your colon of excess waste.
Claims
Alternative medicine practitioners believe that removing chemical toxins from the body restores physical and mental health. The website Just Cleansing claims that people who cleanse frequently have more energy, clearer skin, improved digestive functioning, less abdominal pain, improved circulatory system activity, a higher sex drive, better mood and improved concentration abilities. Detoxifying cleanses also cause dieters to lose weight because they restrict caloric intake.
Warning
Although alternative medicine proponents claim that cleanse diets improve health, they might be dangerous. Sina Teskey, a dietitian at Region's Hospital in Saint Paul, Minnesota, notes that detox diets might cause nutritional deficiencies and other health problems because they lack calories and protein. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that cleanse diets eliminate dangerous toxins from your body. The beneficial effects some dieters report might be due to switching to a diet that does not include processed, unhealthy foods. Following a balanced diet that includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean protein often boosts your energy and helps you lose weight without sacrificing your good health. Talk to your doctor before beginning any new cleanse diet to ensure that you receive the nutrients your body needs.
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