Does The Lemonade Diet Really Work To Lose Weight?

Drinking a lemonade concoction might sound like an effective way to lose weight in a hurry -- but it's not a sustainable or safe way to drop pounds. The lemonade diet, also known as the Master Cleanse diet, was created by Stanley Burroughs, a proponent of holistic health in the 1970s. The diet is not only ineffective and not intended for weight loss -- it could be dangerous. If you must try the Master Cleanse, do it only under your doctor's strict supervision.

Origins

The Master Cleanse diet was originally published in Stanley Burroughs's book, "The Master Cleanser," in 1976. The diet was originally intended as a detoxification diet and was purported by Burroughs to cleanse the liver and intestinal tract. The diet, however, has been used by celebrities such as Beyonce and Jared Leto as a weight-loss regimen, and the diet has been passed around the Internet as a fast way to lose weight.
Burroughs was not a doctor, and the Master Cleanse diet lost its credibility when Burroughs attempted to treat a patient who had cancer with the regimen in 1984. The patient died while following the Master Cleanse, and Burroughs was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and practicing medicine without a license.

Indications

The Master Cleanse diet involves making a homemade lemonade mixture and drinking it as needed throughout the day for 10 days. This mixture contains cayenne pepper, lemon juice, water and grade-B maple syrup; it is very low in calories, fat and nutrients.
The mixture is purported to cleanse the body of toxins, but detox diets are not medically proven to remove any toxins from the body, notes Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D., in the MayoClinic.com article "Detox Diets: Do They Work?"

Results

Because dieters eat no food while they are following the Master Cleanse diet, weight loss is likely. However, this weight loss is mostly water weight. When the body is starved of fat and calories, it sheds water and stores fat. When dieters discontinue the Master Cleanse and go back to eating solid foods, all the lost weight is likely to return.
Dieters might feel gastrointestinal pain and experience nausea and diarrhea while doing the Master Cleanse. Additionally, dieters could feel dizzy and nauseous while following the diet.

Alternative Weight Loss Options

Instead of trying a diet that forces you to starve yourself for 10 days, make small changes in your current diet and exercise program to lose weight and keep the weight off in the long run. Eat a healthy variety of whole grains, lean protein and fresh fruits and vegetables for every meal, and get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day to burn additional calories. Make eating more enjoyable by enjoying the unhealthy foods you crave only occasionally -- not restricting them from your diet altogether. A 10-day diet is not an effective way to lose weight -- instead, you must continue to eat healthy foods and exercise every day to keep the weight off for good.