Detox Diet 101

Whats the Fuss about the Detox Diet

It seems that everyone is talking about detox diets these days, but just what are they and what can they do for your body?

While detox diets are all the rage right now they are by no means a new concept, with the detox programs, or detoxification, created many years ago in various different cultures. The basis of a detox is that it cleanses out the body's systems of built-up toxins that can accumulate in the main organs such as the liver.

Things you might not know about the Detox Diet

In general, the majority of detox diets will contain a selection of foods or requirements including 2 litres of water per day, lots of vegetables and fruit, unprocessed foods and any selection of herbal detox aides such as Licorice root, Yucca root and Psyllium seed. However, the limitations on what can be consumed during a detox time are high with some major groups being alcohol, tobacco, any drugs and processed foods.

Some of the most popular forms of detoxification:

Master Cleanse Detox Diet
Juice Fast
Mono Fruit Diet
Raw Food Diet
Lemon Detox Diet
Cabbage Soup Diet
Blessed Herbs Diet
Diuretic Diet
Liquid Diets
Liver Cleansing Diets

Pros and Cons of the Detox Diet

Potential negative side effects include acne, headaches, fatigue, appetite, temper, dehydration and mineral imbalances so any detox diets must only be followed for the allocated amount of time and to the strict instructions. As a result of the strict nature of detox programs they are not advised for a range of individuals including pregnant women, children and teens and those with medical conditions.

Often detox diets are used by individuals as a means of weight loss, yet it is important to note that while during a body cleanse weight will be lost, it is usually just water stored in the body that is lost which will therefore return as soon as a normal diet resumes.

What research has to say about detox diet

There has been no research that verifies that a detox program will lose weight for the long term, or that even the programs process rids the body of more toxins than the natural body systems do already.

Detoxification diet programs are able to cleanse your metabolism in order to rid the body any toxins that may have accumulated due to poor diet or unhealthy habits. At the completion of a detox diet, the aim is for the body to feel lighter and with more energy.