A detoxification diet is a dietary plan that claims to cleanse the body of toxins and harmful products. These plans can include total fasting, consuming extremely limited amounts of food or eliminating only certain foods from a diet. Doctors and dietitians typically consider detoxification diets harmless, though they do not support the claim that they do the body any good. The most popular detoxification diets in 2010 are the Master Cleanse diet, the clean diet and the juice fast.
The Master Cleanse diet, also known as the maple syrup diet or the lemon cleanse, was developed by Stanley Burroughs in 1941 and popularized by Peter Glickman in 2004. This diet claims to remove harmful toxins in the body, aid in weight loss and cure ulcers. It consists of drinking a mixture of fresh lemon juice, cayenne pepper and grade B maple syrup exclusively for 10 to 40 days. While there is no scientific evidence to support these claims, followers of this detox diet report weight loss, increased energy and increased sexual stamina as benefits of this plan.
Among the different types of detoxification diets, medical professionals consider the clean program to be one of the healthiest options. It is a 21-day plan designed by physician Alejandro Junger that claims to treat irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, depression, insomnia and allergies, and aid in weight loss. This diet consists of consuming a liquid meal at breakfast, a solid meal for lunch and a liquid meal for dinner. While many manufacturers supply a special shake for the liquid meals, any fresh fruit, blended smoothie or soup can work.
Much like the Master Cleanse diet, the juice fast is one of several detoxification diets that consist exclusively of fruit and vegetable juices. Other than losing weight, this detox diet claims to expand spiritual awareness, aid in quitting unhealthy habits such as smoking and, in some cases, treat chronic pain, depression and severe infections. These claims are not medically supported. This diet can last anywhere from one day to 40 days and is often coupled with the use of an enema or saltwater laxative to expel waste from the intestines.
There are close to 100 detoxification diets available, and each promises similar results. Even though detoxification diets are typically not recommended by scientists, dietitians or medical professionals, many people all over the world participate in them in some form or another. While weight loss is often the primary goal, spiritual and religious groups have been promoting the mental and emotional benefits of detoxification diets for thousands of years.