The idea of salt water for weight loss was popularized by the Master Cleanse program. This strategy is also called a salt water flush or salt water purge due to its laxative effect. Proponents of the salt water flush claim it promotes detoxification. However, weight lost through detoxification practices tends to return as soon as you resume normal fluid intake, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Talk to your doctor before drinking salt water to lose weight.
Salt Water
Taking salt water for weight loss can clear out fecal matter. This "purging" effect may result in minor weight loss. In addition to purging the contents of the bowel, taking salt water for weight loss can result in disrupting the beneficial microorganisms in the colon. Detox laxative routines such as the Master Cleanse can deplete electrolytes, cause dehydration and impair bowel function, the Harvard School of Public Health reports.
Weight Loss
Healthy weight loss that allows you to lose fat rather than primarily water and muscle requires a gradual pace. Losing 1 to 2 lbs. a week with a combination of moderate calorie reduction and regular exercise allows you to reduce body fat safely and effectively. Some healthy diet options such as the Mayo Clinic Diet allow you to lose more weight at first with a quick-start program. The initial phase of the diet promotes a 6 lb. to 10 lb. weight loss during the first two weeks with a healthy diet, according to MayoClinic.com. Faster initial weight loss can provide motivation to stick with lifestyle changes.
Effects and Risks
Following the Master Cleanse's 10-day program of herbal laxatives, a quart of salt water every morning and cayenne-maple syrup lemonade in place of food results in frequent bowel movements or diarrhea, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. A salt water flush can have a negative effect on your skin due to dehydration and lack of nutrients, and may result in bloating, "The New York Times" reported in January 2011. The stress of extreme diets and attempts to purge can cause a skin rash and lesions, according to a dermatologist "The Times" interviewed.
Alternatives
Overweight men and women who consumed 16 oz. of plain water before each meal lost an average of 4.5 lbs. more than a control group on the same low-calorie diet during a 12-week study, researchers from Virginia Tech reported at the 2010 Meeting of the American Chemical Society, according to the ACS website.
Instead of using salt water as a laxative, eat a healthy diet rich in fiber from fruits, vegetables and whole grains to prevent constipation. Eating these complex carbohydrates can help you to maintain stable blood sugar to reduce food cravings. A balanced diet provides energy for increasing physical activity for a fit, leaner body.
References
- "Weight Loss Regimens Can Harm Skin; Alene Dawson; January 2011
- Harvard Health Publications: The Dubious Practice of Detox
- MayoClinic.com; The Mayo Clinic Diet -- A Weight-loss Program for Life; April 2011
- The American Chemical Society; Clinical Trial Confirms Effectiveness Simple Appetite Control Method; August 2010
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