What a detox generally promises

They’re popular, but they aren’t proven to do what they say they’ll do which is flush toxins out of your system and weight loss (not fat loss). To be perfectly honest, they can be risky or even go wrong.

What You Can Eat and What You Can’t

That depends on which of the detox diets you are looking at following. There are many of them. Some involve fasting, or just drinking meal replacement shakes. Others allow some foods, like fruits and vegetables. They typically are diets that last only a short period of time and most likely not a way of eating you can sustain as a life-long habit.

They involve a lot of effort

You’ll be hungry and will likely feel weak. Whether or not a detox diet is safe depends on the plan and how long you manage to sustain it.Most people don’t feel good on low-calorie, nutrient-poor diets. Potential side effects include low energy, low blood sugar, muscle aches, fatigue, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and nausea. You would generally go without a lot of the foods you usually eat. Detox diets are usually very rigid and set you eating the same things repeatedly.

Packaged foods or meals

Some detox plans recommend herbs, pills, powders, enemas, and other forms of colon cleansing. Methods vary and often include products that are only available from the author’s web site with no proven benefits.

In-person meetings?

No.

Exercise

Not required, and you may not have the energy for it, because you’re not getting that many calories. Never good!

Costs

Along with your grocery shopping, a detox diet may also need you need you to purchase supplements and other products, which can be costly.

Support

None, except for information you might find online.

Do detox diets It work?

If your goal is weight loss, a detox diet might help you lose a little weight, but you’ll likely just gain it back due to the unsustainability of the approach. Eventually you will be back to square one having accomplished nothing and wasted your time following an unhealthy diet.

If your goal is to detox your system, don’t waste your time or money. Your body knows how to get rid of toxins. Toxins don’t build up in your liver, kidneys, or any other part of your body and the latest detox on the market is not going to help you.

The only type of detox diet that is worthwhile is one that limits processed, high-fat, and sugary foods, and replaces them with more whole foods like fruits and vegetables. That clean-eating approach is your best bet to getting your body in tip-top shape.

Is It Good for Certain Conditions?

Not only are detox diets not good for people with certain medical conditions, they could be harmful. There is no research showing they improve blood pressure or cholesterol or have a positive effect on the heart. For people with diabetes, they may be quite dangerous. Any diet that severely restricts what you eat could lead to dangerously low blood sugar if you take medicine for diabetes.

The exception would be a detox diet that just focuses on clean eating. This approach could be great for anyone living with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and even heart disease.

Ultimately

Detox Diets have had lots of coverage and attention in recent years without proving to have any health benefits by doing them. There are several ways to get your body clean and healthy. This isn’t one of them.