When you're aiming to lose a few pounds, drinking lemonade for every meal may seem like an effective way to slim down. But losing weight in a safe, sustainable way isn't as simple as drinking lemonade. Although some diets, such as the Master Cleanse, may involve drinking lemonade to detox the body, this dangerous diet is not designed as a weight-loss aid, and it may even be fatal. If you must use lemonade for weight loss, do it only under your doctor's strict supervision.
Lemonade Nutrition
Lemonade contains no fat and is relatively low in calories, so it may seem like an effective way to lose weight. Although lemonade is fine to drink sparingly, it's high in sugar and higher in calories than other healthy beverage options, such as water, black tea or seltzer. One 8-oz. glass of store-bought lemonade contains approximately 100 calories, 60 mg sodium, 27 mg carbohydrates and 26 g sugar.
The Master Cleanse
The Master Cleanse is a lemonade-based detoxification diet created by Stanley Burroughs, a supporter of holistic and natural health. Burroughs published a book, "The Master Cleanser," in the 1950s, providing detailed instructions about how to follow the diet. Although the Master Cleanse was not intended for weight loss, celebrities began using the diet to lose weight quickly. The Master Cleanse is a popular fad diet, because it involves drinking one concoction over and over with no regard for health or nutrition.
Dieters drink only a mixture of lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper and spring water for approximately 10 days. Because the diet is so low in calories, weight loss may occur, but it may also put your health at risk.
Results
When a dieter consumes lemonade instead of food, weight loss is likely. The body sheds excess water weight when an excess of liquids are consumed, which may give the appearance of drastic weight loss. Additionally, dieters will be consuming fewer calories than usual, which may cause fat and muscle loss in the body. But as a weight-loss program, drinking lemonade is ineffective and unsustainable. When dieters resume a normal diet, the weight will return.
Warnings
The Master Cleanser isn't only unsustainable and ineffective -- it could also be dangerous. In his medical career, Burroughs was convicted of practicing medicine without a license, second-degree felony murder and illegal sale of cancer treatments. These charges occurred when one of Burroughs's patients died while using the Master Cleanse. The felony murder conviction was later reduced to involuntary manslaughter.
The Master Cleanse is not approved or recommended by doctors and it is not a safe way to lose weight. Even as a detoxification diet, the Master Cleanse is ineffective and potentially harmful. Your doctor may recommend a healthy diet and exercise program to help you lose weight and keep it off.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Detox Diets: Do They Work?; Katherine Zeratsky; April 2010
- EveryDiet: Lemonade Diet
- "Fitness"; What is a Detox Diet?: Celebrity Detox Diets You Should Try -- And Avoid; Jocelyn Voo; March 2009
- Kids Health; 5 Ways to Spot a Fad Diet; Mary L. Gavin, M.D.; May 2010
- Livestrong: My Plate
- LawLink; People v. Burroughs (1984) 35 Cal.3d 824, 201 Cal.Rptr. 319; 678 P.2d 894; April 1984
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