15/09/2021
The Truth About the Lemon Water Detox
Detoxes and cleanses
Flushing toxins out of your body sounds like a great idea. Who doesn’t want to rid their body of pollutants and contaminants? Today, many people are turning to “master cleanses” to help detox the body.
One of the most popular methods is to fast over the course of several days while drinking nothing but a lemon-water concoction. The belief is that the combination will “cleanse” the body’s organs and internal systems.
There’s no question that water’s an important part of a healthy diet.
But do you really need to drink lemon water and stop eating for several days for your body to detoxify?
Do you need to detox?
Absolutely not, according to Joy Dubost, RD, food scientist and former spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The best way to clean out your system is by drinking plenty of water and getting enough fiber to keep your digestive system regular.
She said the so-called “lemon detox” or “master cleanse” diets serve no real purpose other than to starve your body of necessary nutrients.
“The idea of resting your body from digestion is ridiculous,” Dubost said.
Supposed benefits of a detox
The perceived benefits of a lemon water detox cast a wide net. Advocates claim the beverage can help improve skin tone and texture, as well as boost your mood and energy level. Losing weight also ranks high among reasons to give it a go.
It’s easy to understand why some people may be attracted to the idea of jumpstarting a weight loss plan with something that sounds as chic as a “detox.”
Dubost noted that these detoxes have been made famous by celebrities such as Beyoncé. It’s widely reported that the singing superstar used the diet to lose weight for a role in a movie.
Intermittent fasting has been shown to help with weight loss. But adding a detox elixir (such as maple and palm syrups with lemon juice, water, pepper, and sometimes salt water) to your fasting plan won’t really do anything to improve your health, according to Dubost.
“There is not any scientific evidence that it provides health benefits,” she said. “The side effects of going through this five- to seven-day process would put me on edge.”
In fact, she said adhering to a week-long lemon-water fasting plan could have the opposite effect as intended. Rather than feeling energetic, people who follow detox regimens end up feeling lethargic and on edge.
That’s because they haven’t ingested the proper nutrients and calories over a few days’ time.
“You know how you feel when you skip lunch and get a headache?” Dubost said. “You are likely to be tired and have a lack of energy. You may not want to exercise.”
DOES DETOX WORK?
“There is not any scientific evidence that it provides health benefits. The side effects of going through this five- to seven-day process would put me on edge.” – Joy Dubost, R.D. and food scientist