The detox diet which is also known as a cleansing diet is often marketed as a quick way to lose weight. In simple terms, the detox diet may be defined as a diet that facilitates removal of pollutants and toxins from the body. A good detoxification diet focuses on eating pure and natural foods during the diet period that helps in aiding the function of kidneys, liver and other body organs and helps in getting rid of the toxins in the body.
There are many different types of detoxification diets available in the market today. Some of the diets involve drinking just liquids during the dieting period whereas others involve fasting. Some also include various fruits, vegetables, nuts and other such foods.
Does It Work?
As far as the effectiveness of various detoxification diets is concerned, these diets help in losing weight. Since these diets are usually focused on eating only natural and organic foods during the dieting period, it also helps in aiding the internal organs getting rid of the accumulated toxins.
There are some extremely restrictive detoxification diets that raise many health concerns. You should not start these diets without proper consultation with a dietitian or nutritionist, however, there are also a number of balanced diets that can be quite helpful. Here is a list of some of the major pros and cons of these diets.
Pros
One of the biggest advantages of this type of diet is that it helps in improving liver and kidney function as the foods eaten during the diet are easy on kidney, liver and other body organs.
Most people who go on this diet have observed that they feel an increase in their energy levels and sense of vitality. This may be due to higher level of nutrients, minerals and vitamins being consumed. Detoxing also help in improving the immune system. Some people also use a detox plan to cut out their bad eating habits and use it to jump-start a new diet or a new weight loss program.
Cons
Any sudden change in diet may lead to gas, diarrhea, bloating and other such things as your body take some time to adjust to the new diet regimen. Detoxing is not meant for long-term weight loss but only for jump-starting healthy eating habits.
While it is claimed that the diet helps the body in getting rid of the accumulated toxins, there is no scientific evidence which suggests that your body needs any help other than its own natural mechanisms to eliminate the toxins from the body.
Some extremely restrictive regiments that eliminate various crucial nutrients such as proteins from the diet may lead to malnutrition. Similarly, an extended juice fast over a period of time may create imbalance of sodium and potassium in the body which may lead to serious health issues.
Overall, detoxing has helped a number of people kick-start their weight loss program. However, these are meant to be followed for only a very short time period. They should not be followed over long term as most of them are nutritionally deficient and may lead to bigger health problems in the future.