It goes by many names, but the Master Cleanse diet is extreme, no matter what it’s called. Because the one drink consumed as the main “meal” is made with lemon water, the diet is referred to as the lemonade diet, the lemon-water-and-maple-syrup diet and the Master Cleanser. Before you try any diet, it’s wise to understand its origins, its nutrition and its potential benefits and drawbacks. The Master Cleanse diet has been around long enough to be evaluated and critiqued by well-known medical organizations.
History
The Master Cleanse diet was developed by an alternative health care worker named Stanley Burroughs in 1939-40 and published in book form in 1976. Claims for the diet are that it provides a thorough detox, effective weight loss and general health improvements. Hollywood celebrities have used the diet for dramatic weight loss in preparation for film roles, contributing to its popularity and endurance. The University of California says that “Master Cleanse” is one of the top diet searches on the Internet.
The “Lemonade”
The Master Cleanse diet is based on a mix of freshly squeezed lemon juice, cayenne pepper, spring water and maple syrup. Each day, dieters drink six to 12 glasses of the lemonade – about 6 ounces of laxative tea is consumed in the evening and may also start the day to offset the lack of fiber in the diet. Alternatively, some dieters drink warm water with sea salt in it in the morning to encourage evacuation of the intestines. No food or other beverages are taken while on the diet.
Weight Loss
The Master Cleanse diet is recommended for 10 days. A professor of pharmacology at the University of Southern California worries that people will tend to follow it longer as they see pounds come off, leading to what he calls “protracted starvation.” Dieters do lose weight, although the loss is mostly water at first and will come right back when the diet is finished. Consuming far fewer calories on the diet than you use will result in weight loss as well. But the Master Cleanse is an extreme calorie deprivation, and without a rebalancing of exercise and caloric intake, a return to eating normally will restore lost pounds.
Detox
Your body does a good job of eliminating toxins through its normal processes. Harvard Medical School says the best defense against environmental toxins like chemicals and cigarette smoke is a nutritious diet and a healthy lifestyle. Adequate macronutrients, vitamins, minerals and hydration, plenty of sleep, an exercise program and regular checkups should enhance normal detoxification and could lead to wholesome weight loss without the severe dietary restrictions of an extended fast.
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