Most of us have tried a detox diet at least once in a lifetime. The idea of “cleansing ourselves” of toxins from unhealthy food or pollution is appealing, but what is the science behind detoxification that really makes us healthier?
We asked five nutrition experts, “Do detox diets offer any health benefits?”, This is what we found …
What is a detox diet?
There is no “detox diet,” but a series of diets that claim to detoxify the human body. Dr. Veronique Chachay, a dietetics expert at the University of Queensland, says detox diets “range from enemas and colonic irrigation, detoxification of lemon juice or water fasting to the exclusion of certain groups of food, herbal purge, high-dose nutrient supplements, and sweat lodges, among other things. “
What do detox diets claim to do?
All detox diets have one thing in common: they claim to purge the body of toxins. These toxins can come from different sources, according to Dr. Chachay that external sources of toxins include “molecules resulting from cooking, frying and grilling, as well as alcohol and processed food additives.
“Then there are drugs, tobacco smoke and exposure to environmental pollutants, among other things.”
“Toxin accumulation is thought to be primarily responsible for weight gain, constipation, bloating, flatulence, poor digestion, heartburn, diarrhea, lack of energy, and fatigue, toxins and, as a result, a person feels healthier and will lose weight, “says Dr. Tim Crowe, a nutrition expert at Thinking Nutrition.
Do detox diets live up to their promise?
Is there any science behind these claims that these diets can detoxify the body? All the experts said no. Dr. Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz, an expert in diabetes and public health at Wollongong University, says, “Broadly speaking, the idea that an intervention can‘ detoxify ’someone, or even that there are things in your body that you can and you can the “detoxification” of is not well demonstrated. Most of these diets refer to vague “toxins” that, even if they were harmful, would not be eliminated by the chosen methodology of the diet. “
Dr Nicholas Fuller, an obesity and nutrition expert at the University of Sydney, says: “Substances are only toxic depending on how much we eat them. The situation where ‘detoxification’ is required is when someone is being treated at a hospital for a dangerous level of a life-threatening substance “.
Dr. Chachay adds that “the human body is a complete, self-repairing and self-detoxifying apparatus. It will perform its detoxification tasks regardless of whether you are performing a rigid detoxification cure or a marathon of wine tasting and gourmet eating. But the key is to provide the right ingredients for optimal daily function, rather than opting for a quick solution detox. ”
What are the benefits of a detox diet?
While detox diets cannot “detoxify” the body as they claim, do they have any other health benefits?
Dr. Crowe says, “Anyone, especially one who has a poor diet to begin with, who eats more fruits and vegetables, drinks more water and eats less foods high in fat, salt or added sugar and drinks less alcohol will naturally feel better. “
Weight loss is often noticed during restrictive detox diets, but Dr. Crowe says that “this is easily explained by the restrictive nature of detox diets, which can drastically reduce kilojoule intake” and “the weight will return. to function as soon as a person resumes their normal diet and carbohydrate deposits are replenished. “
One of the potential benefits of detox diets is psychological, “detox diets can also help people think more about what they eat. For some people, a detox diet can be the beginning of a change to a healthier diet and lifestyle in the long run “. says Dr. Crowe.
What are the disadvantages of detox diets?
There are several documented drawbacks of detoxification, Dr. Crowe summarizes them as:
- Feelings of tiredness and lack of energy initially
- The expense of buying organic foods that many of them advocate consuming
- Cost of detox kit if following a commercial program
- Buy supplements if your diet recommends them
- You need to be more organized than usual to ensure plenty of “allowed” meals at home and at work
- Difficulties eating out and socializing, as most restaurants and social occasions do not involve detox-friendly meals
In addition, the short-term nature of the beneficial effects, such as weight loss, can be demoralizing and not favor long-term healthy eating.
Dr. Crowe concludes, “Detox fashion can foster the idea that a person can lead an unhealthy lifestyle most of the year and then undo the damage in a few days with a quick detox. A theory that just doesn’t work. it works”.
Takeaway food: In most cases, the disadvantages of detox diets outweigh the benefits.
Article based on 5 expert answers to this question: Do detox diets offer any health benefits?
This expert response was published in collaboration with the independent fact-checking platform Metafact.io. Subscribe to their weekly newsletter here.