When you're in a hurry to lose weight, drinking your calories might seem like an effective solution. Liquids like juice and water are very low in calories and fat, while providing the body with minimal nutrients. Although it is possible to lose weight while drinking only liquid, it's not a healthy or sustainable way to drop the pounds. Talk to your doctor before making any changes in your diet.
Significance
Detox diets were originally used to remove toxins and purify the body. Although they are not scientifically proven to work, MayoClinic.com notes, liquid diets generally last between seven and 10 days and involve drinking fruit juice or other liquid concoctions In the process, you may lose weight, because you are consuming very few calories. This weight loss is mostly water weight that will return as soon as you return to your usual eating habits.
Liquid Diets
Types of liquid diets include fruit-juice fasts, which involve drinking only fruit juices for days at a time. Some diets may recommend using enemas to speed up the detoxification process and cleanse out impurities.
The Master Cleanse, for example, is a popular detox diet that was not originally intended as a weight-loss diet, but has circulated around the Internet as a quick way to lose weight. The diet involves drinking a lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper mixture for every meal for a period of 10 days. In 1984, the creator of the diet, Stanley Burroughs, was charged with involuntary manslaughter and practicing medicine without a license when he encouraged a man with cancer to use the Master Cleanse, and the man died, "Fitness" magazine reports.
Drawbacks and Dangers
Fasting, detox and fad diets should only be used under the direct supervision of a doctor. Diets that involve drinking the same low-calorie items over and over again may cause malnutrition because they do not provide adequate, varied nutrients to the body. Additionally, fasting diets may cause fatigue, dehydration, dizziness and nausea. Fasting diets are not designed to help you lose weight and keep it off. Although you may lose weight, the pounds will return unless you're prepared to drink only liquids for the rest of your life.
Healthy Weight Loss
Focus on a diet of healthy foods in moderation and combine it with a regular exercise program to lose weight and keep it off in the long run. Drinking eight glasses of water a day may help your body let go of additional water weight and help you feel full for longer periods of time. Eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein, and get at least half an hour of exercise every day to lose weight and maintain your weight loss.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Detox Diets: Do They Work?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.; April 22, 2010
- EveryDiet: Lemonade Diet
- American Heart Association: Quick-Weight-Loss or Fad Diets
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Common-Sense Strategies to Long-Term Weight Loss; Michelle Murray; Jan. 27, 2011
- "Fitness" magazine; What Is a Detox Diet?; Jocelyn Voo; March 2009
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