The lemonade cleanse is an important part of the Master Cleanse diet, a plan popularized in a 1976 book by alternative medicine advocate Stanley Burroughs. The lemonade cleanse is a highly restrictive diet plan that lasts for 10 or more days. Although lemonade cleanse proponents claim the diet promotes weight loss, it can be dangerous for your health. Discuss your cleanse plans with a physician or dietitian before beginning the diet.
Purpose
The lemonade cleanse is based in the theory that harmful chemicals enter your body through food additives, air pollutants and other environmental sources. These chemicals accumulate in your cells and cause bad breath, body odor, fatigue, irritability, loss of energy and depressed mood. The lemonade cleanse eliminates these toxins and improves overall health.
Features
During the lemonade cleanse, dieters drink a beverage made from freshly-squeezed organic lemons, purified water, ground organic cayenne pepper and organic grade B maple syrup. Lemonade cleanse practitioners drink six to 10 glasses of the beverage each day for 10 or more days. You may drink purified water while cleansing, but all solid food and other beverages are prohibited. According to The Master Cleanse website, lemon juice breaks down fat, cleanses your cells and eliminates excess waste from your body, while the cayenne pepper dissolves toxins and provides vitamins B and C. Maple syrup gives your body zinc, manganese and other important nutrients during the cleanse.
Weight Loss
Following the lemonade cleanse causes many dieters to lose weight. The Lemonade Diet website reports that dieters lose up to 2 lbs. per day. Much of this weight loss occurs because the lemonade cleanse stimulates frequent bowel movements, clearing your colon of waste. The lemonade cleanse also promote weight loss because it severely restricts your caloric intake. The lemonade beverage does not contain the important carbohydrates, fats and protein your body needs to perform basic daily activities.
Warning
Although the lemonade diet plan may sound like an easy way to lose weight fast, it can be dangerous for your health. No scientific evidence suggests that the lemonade cleanse has detoxifying effects. Dietitian Lona Sandon, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, says that long-term fasts like the lemonade cleanse may cause nutrient deficiency and breakdown of lean muscle tissue. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains is a more effective weight loss plan than a 10-day fad diet. Before beginning the lemonade cleanse, discuss your plans with a physician to determine whether the cleanse is safe for you.
Member Comments