TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
What to know about detox diets and their benefits
Detoxing is a new term to describe various diets created in order to clean out your body, boost your energy and help you lose weight drastically. Often involving a dietary regimen around tasty to abnormal juices or teas, detox has become a growing trend. But is it effective, or even safe?
Change Size
Although drinking certain detox juices or water has not been found to harm our body, it is not necessary effective. (Shutterstock/File)
On the internet these days you may often catch your favorite star talk about her beauty tips, including detox.
Detoxing is a new term to describe various diets created in order to clean out your body, boost your energy and help you lose weight drastically. Often involving a dietary regimen around tasty to abnormal juices or teas, detox has become a growing trend.
However, there is still a lot of mystery about this beauty trend, so here’s what you want to know:
Detox and losing weight
Although drinking certain detox juices or water has not been found to harm our body, it is not necessary effective. Many detox sellers claim that detox products are focused on removing toxic substances supposedly attached to and festering in the colon’s lining. We are told that by drinking detox water, we can feel at ease, since we have removed the risk of illness. This notion is completely untrue and lacks scientific evidence. Your fecal matter does not harbor toxins that can make you ill, and cleansing your colon is unnecessary at best and dangerous at worse.
(Read also: 5 things to consider before a detox diet)
Body gets rid of toxins by itself
Our body is made with magical functions to get rid of toxins naturally, without help from any juice or tea. The advertised cleaning out of the body appeals strongly to many women and even men. This is especially true for those who have an unhealthy diet and hope to get rid of toxins built up inside the body. However, there is no clear evidence indicating that detoxing can help you kick the toxins out of your body. Generally, toxins are defined as substances produced by biological processes of the environment, plants or animals that can be poisonous to humans. Your body can absorb both natural and artificial toxins when you eat food, drink water and breathe air.
Is it really suitable?
Additionally, some detoxing regimens are too extreme. For example, many detox plans will focus on eliminating nutrients that cause fat to build up in the body. But at the same time, this can remove protein, putting you at risk of malnutrition. Those who try juice cleansing over a prolonged period are at risk of an imbalance of electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium.
A detoxing practice called colonic irrigation will unnecessarily remove healthy fat and furthermore can cause serious complications, like diarrhea or blood infection. Moreover, people with special health conditions, such as pregnancy, reduced immunity or chronic diseases like heart or kidney problems, should not do detox diets.
In conclusion, there is still a lack of scientific approval for the safety and effectiveness of detox diets. If you are concerned about your health, getting adequate sleep, doing regular exercise and having a well-balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables is what you should focus on. This simple life routine will help you achieve radiant skin and sustainable weight loss and prevent many illnesses. (kes)
