Hollywood and Bollywood stars have long been propagating “Detox Diets” in their routine and have reported wonderful effects from it. Today, it is the people around us who talk about these diets. The internet has been awash with articles on how “detox diets” work, from losing weight to removing toxins from the body and improving energy levels. But wait? Is this another fad diet or is it a diet that actually does what it claims to do?

So, let’s start with what “detox diets” claim to do. They claim to remove “toxins” from your system. These diets take various forms. They involve consuming certain foods, special juices, consuming detox teas and other liquids, and many are simply propagated on an empty stomach. Colon cleansing is also part of the “Detox Diets” to empty the intestines. Toxins as defined by Merriam-Webster states:

“A toxin is a poisonous substance that is a specific product of the metabolic activities of a living organism and is usually highly unstable, markedly toxic when introduced into tissues, and is usually capable of inducing the formation of of antibodies”.

This means that a toxin is a harmful substance and the body needs to eliminate it to prevent damage to our body. If the toxins accumulate instead of being excreted, you will need urgent medical intervention. But, in most cases, especially in healthy individuals, there is no accumulation of toxins as our body has a built-in detoxification system. The kidneys, liver, skin, and even the lungs work overtime to remove them from our bodies.

So how do people feel after a “detox diet”? Detox diets promote natural foods, without processed and packaged foods that are high in saturated fats, sugars and salt. The intake of fresh juices (vegetables and fruits) is also recommended. One ends up drinking more water and less or no caffeine or alcohol. These changes are generally good for the body and therefore help you feel better. And also since one has eliminated the intake of high calorie foods, there is likely to be weight loss in an individual doing this diet. But again, this weight loss is temporary. This weight loss is primarily water loss and loss of stored glycogen and will be regained once one begins to eat normally. So it’s just the huffing and puffing coupled with clean eating habits that will be in the long run in terms of weight loss.

OUR OPINION: Drastically limiting food intake by fasting or eliminating food groups can put the body under a lot of stress. Such diets result in nutrient deficiencies and give rise to many health problems. For example, when macronutrients such as carbohydrates, protein, and fat are lacking, one may feel dizzy, lightheaded, or nauseated. Blood sugar levels can drop and the body becomes fatigued. These diets can also trigger unhealthy eating behavior in young adults, which can affect their long-term health and well-being.

Therefore, there is no scientific evidence to support the body’s need to detoxify through diet, as the body is designed to detoxify, repair, and regenerate itself. Organs such as the liver, kidneys, lungs, digestive system, and enzymes in cells work to remove toxins from the body. By cutting out key nutrients, you can hamper the body’s natural process and instead harm it. If one is looking to lose weight, detoxification is not the solution.