Diet

Are Body Cleansing Diets Worth Starving For?

If celebrities like Beyonce swear by detox diets, should you? Experts share how these diets really affect your body

by Anna Jimenez

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Are cleansing diets worth it? Albovias explains that while some people who use multi-day detox programs experience "weight loss, a boost of energy, fewer headaches and clearer skin," these reactions can "be attributed to other lifestyle changes made and not to the diet itself." She says that if you are using these diets to drop excess weight, you better try something else as "those who lose weight on these diets almost always gain the weight back once they return to their normal eating patterns" due to the fact that they are temporarily starving their body of necessary nutrients.

As for the "body detoxification" these cleansing diets claim to provide, Simpson says, "the body is set up to efficiently metabolize and eliminate toxins [on its own]." Albovias adds for those that claim clearer skin, the effects can be "attributed to drinking more water during a fast," and not to the actual restriction of food.

Next: See the best way to "detox"

SEE NEXT PAGE: Alternatives to multi-day cleansing diets

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Older comments

wow

by brianna121791 Monday, May 13, 2013 at 01:40PM Report as inappropriate

Smart info

by Mollysunshine Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 02:05AM Report as inappropriate

good information

by LittleBunny Monday, January 21, 2013 at 11:01AM Report as inappropriate

great article

by Mommy_of_Ethan Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 05:57PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks

by EricaC123 Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at 06:34AM Report as inappropriate

Detoxes are a short term solution to a long term problem. They do not teach people how to eat properly. A cleanse every now and then is fine, but just for detoxifying purposes. Not for weight loss.

by robyne00 Friday, October 19, 2012 at 02:49PM Report as inappropriate

Wait - when they say only lemons, cayenne powder, maple syrup, and water, do they really mean absolutely nothing else? How do people survive?

by schien Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 05:10PM Report as inappropriate

very interesting article

by LittleBunny Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at 09:47AM Report as inappropriate

hmm great article

by Nicole2814 Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 08:00PM Report as inappropriate

Do something to help your body deal with the over processed foods and pollution is good. Increasing water and eating healthier food is good. Fasting for a short time is good too. However, it tends to be that right after the weight returns because we revert back to our bad diet. So slower, more permanent changes are better in the long run. More movement and healthy food. Perhaps a day a week with only raw fruits/veggies.

by asiagirl4ever Monday, July 16, 2012 at 01:48AM Report as inappropriate