The Master Cleanse, also called the lemonade diet, is a 10-day modified juice fast that requires subsisting on lemon juice, cayenne pepper, maple syrup and water. Food and other beverages, especially coffee, are discouraged. Although no studies have been done on the effectiveness of the diet, proponents claim a variety of health benefits, including weight loss, detoxification and improved digestion.
The Master Cleanse
The Master Cleanse was devised by alternative health-practitioner Stanley Burroughs in the 1940s. The 10-day cleanse involves drinking six to 12 glasses of lemon juice with maple syrup and cayenne, which allow you to maintain sufficient levels of potassium, vitamin C, carbohydrates and other minerals. Those following the cleanse also begin each day with an herbal laxative tea and a mixture of salt and water. No foods or additional drinks are allowed.
The Cravings
Author Peter Glickman, who popularized the Master Cleanse, considers caffeine cravings a symptom of the detoxification process. Those who drink a lot of coffee will likely experience caffeine headaches for two to four days at the beginning of the cleanse, along with a variety of other withdrawal symptoms.
Coffee on an Empty Stomach
To complete the Master Cleanse as designed, you need to abstain from coffee and other caffeine products for the duration of the cleanse. However, there are other good reasons to avoid coffee if your stomach is empty. Coffee can lead to a variety of negative side effects if it's taken on an empty stomach, including: headaches, irritability, lethargy, depression and nervousness, according to Physorg.com, a science, research and technology news service. Because your body will have completely flushed out your last meal by the third or fourth day of the cleanse, the negative side effects of drinking coffee will be more pronounced than normal.
Considerations
Despite its popularity, fasting can lead to a number of health pitfalls if it's done for longer than the recommended 10 days. Also, because your body normally consumes water from the food you eat, fasting carries a risk of dehydration. Talk to your doctor before embarking on this fast, and always opt for fresh lemons and organic maple syrup.
References
- "New York Times"; I Heard It Through the Diet Grapevine; Lola Ogunnaike; Dec. 10 2006
- The Master Cleanse; Three of the Most Common Mistakes on The Master Cleanse Diet; Peter Glickman;
- Physorg; Probing Question: Is caffeine harmful to your health?; Oct. 5 2006
- Health Central; The Real Deal on the Master Cleanse Diet; Patrika Tsai; Jan. 24 2007
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