Smoothy Slim
Photo by Polina Tankilevitch Pexels Logo Photo: Polina Tankilevitch

Is detox good for stomach?

Unless you have a digestive disorder such as Crohn's disease or gastroparesis, there's no conclusive medical evidence that detoxes or cleanses will benefit your digestive tract. “Solid foods are helpful and important to a healthy diet,” Patton says.

Can stress and anxiety cause low hemoglobin?
Can stress and anxiety cause low hemoglobin?

Sustained stress is another cause of anaemia. Excessive stress hinders the manufacture of hydrochloric acid in your body, which is very important...

Read More »
What kills belly fat faster?
What kills belly fat faster?

The following sections look at specific ways to help get rid of belly fat. Focus on low calorie foods. ... Eliminate sugary drinks. ... Eat fewer...

Read More »
Weird “juice ritual” removes 65lbs in weeks
Weird “juice ritual” removes 65lbs in weeks

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

You hear a lot about the supposed health benefits of cleanses and detoxes. These quick fixes supposedly remove toxins from your body and make you healthier — like the TikTok Detox drink or the much-hyped “internal shower.” Advertising Policy Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy Cleanse and detox proponents say they’ve found a secret to removing toxins in your body by swapping regular ol’ foods in favor of drinks, powders or smoothies.

Fans of detoxes and cleanses usually claim several supposed health benefits, including:

Improved energy.

Weight loss.

Relief from constipation.

Resolved headaches, muscle aches and fatigue.

Sure, sounds great. What’s the catch?

We talked to registered dietitian Kate Patton, MEd, RD, CSSD, LD, to get the low down on detoxes and cleanses and whether they’re all they’re cracked up to be. What you may not realize, Patton says, is that our bodies naturally detox. Every day, your digestive tract, liver, kidneys and skin break down toxins and eliminate them through your urine, stool and sweat. So, that celery juice you’ve been downing? Probably not doing what you think it is.

What is a detox cleanse?

The theory behind cleanses is that by eliminating solid foods or specific food groups, you’re eliminating toxins. “That supposedly gives your digestive system a break, allowing it to heal and better absorb nutrients in the future,” explains Patton. “Most of the time, the ingredients suggested in a cleanse aren’t necessarily bad for you. They’re just not likely to do what they say.”

Types of detoxes and cleanses

Detox diets and cleanses often suggest replacing solid foods with drinks like special water, tea or fruit and vegetable juices. While popular on social media, the effects of detoxes and cleanses haven’t been backed up by any substantial scientific research.

Green tea detox

The health benefits of green tea are well-documented. A medical literature review offers a snapshot of those benefits, linking the consumption of green tea to: Good stuff, that green tea. Does that mean you should drink it by the gallon to cleanse your whole system and make you radiant? Not exactly.

How do I lose 15 pounds in a week?
How do I lose 15 pounds in a week?

Here are the 8 tips on how to lose 15 pounds in a week: Eliminate Unhealthy Carbs. To achieve rapid weight loss, you'll have to alter your diet....

Read More »
Which fruit grow hair fast?
Which fruit grow hair fast?

Papaya. Nutrient rich papaya is an excellent fruit for hair growth. It prevents baldness and activates hair follicles to promote hair growth and...

Read More »
Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab
Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

“Green tea is caffeinated, so you want to be careful about not overdoing it,” Patton says. “Also, drinking an excessive quantity of green tea or taking high dosages of green tea supplements is linked to upset stomachs, liver disease, bone disorders and other issues.”

Juice cleanses

An entire industry has been built around the notion of cleaning out your system with a series of juices. The idea is that all those vitamins and minerals can kick-start your system by purging toxins and giving you a clean slate. At least one study shows that because “juicing” is commonly associated with a low consumption of calories, it can lead to some quick weight loss. But the effects aren’t likely to last. And those little juice bottles can be costly.

Detox water

Some people claim that drinking water laced with lemon, apple cider, cayenne pepper or other additives will do amazing things for you. Clearer skin! Weight loss! Better poops! OK, nothing wrong with drinking water. Water makes up 60% of your body and is super important for your body to function properly. A water detox drink? Eh. It’s probably not going to do much for you in reality. If flavoring your water with a little cucumber — or vinegar for that matter — is your thing, go for it. Just don’t expect any miracles. Careful, too, not to drink excessive amounts of water. If you drink so much your pee is constantly clear you’re overdoing it and could be losing out on electrolytes and salt your body needs, Patton says. The basic rule of thumb is to aim for drinking 64 ounces of fluid a day to keep your system operating at peak efficiency.

Do detoxes actually work?

Unless you have a digestive disorder such as Crohn’s disease or gastroparesis, there’s no conclusive medical evidence that detoxes or cleanses will benefit your digestive tract.

“Solid foods are helpful and important to a healthy diet,” Patton says.

Sure, you may lose a few pounds if you replace food with water, but it’s unlikely to last.

What stops people from losing weight?
What stops people from losing weight?

20 Common Reasons Why You're Not Losing as Much Weight as You Expected To Maybe you are losing without realizing it. ... You're not keeping track...

Read More »
What vegetable aggravates arthritis?
What vegetable aggravates arthritis?

Eggplants, peppers, tomatoes and potatoes are all members of the nightshade family. These vegetables contain the chemical solanine, which some...

Read More »
Common yard weed melts 60lbs of fat?
Common yard weed melts 60lbs of fat?

Made into a potent powdered supplement blended right into water or your favorite beverage to be appreciated as a scrumptious morning smoothy.

Learn More »

“Cleanses aren’t effective for long-term weight loss,” she continues. “The weight you lose from a cleanse is a result of losing water, carbohydrate stores and stool, which all return after you resume a regular diet.” For athletes, losing carbohydrate stores means losing your body’s preferred fuel source during exercise. So, a cleanse isn’t appropriate while training for any sport. If you choose to do a cleanse or detox, do so for no more than two days during a recovery week when you are doing little to no exercise.

Should you try a detox or cleanse?

Before you decide to cleanse and spend big bucks on a magic drink or pounds of freshly juiced fruits and vegetables, Patton says to be sure to weigh the benefits and drawbacks. Pros Cons You can benefit from an increased intake of vitamins and minerals either naturally from juiced fruits and veggies or supplemented from drinks. Cleanse and detox diets are low in calories, which will leave you with little energy to exercise and may disrupt your metabolism and blood sugar levels. Cleansing and detoxing can help you identify food sensitivities by eliminating certain foods for several days, then gradually reintroducing potential trigger foods. You may experience gastrointestinal distress and frequent bowel movements. Detox diets are low in protein, which is an important food group to support your hair, skin, nails and muscles. Whatever you decide, remember that your body is designed to detox itself, so sipping on lemon water with maple syrup — or whatever your detox of choice may be — likely won’t lead to any long-term health gains. “A balanced diet of whole foods such as vegetables, fruit, whole grains and legumes is healthy for your entire body,” Patton says. “Your body is built to take care of business, and fueling it with healthy foods will help you achieve the results you’re looking for.”

What drink melts body fat?
What drink melts body fat?

13 Drinks That Melt Belly Fat, Say Dietitians Green Tea. Kombucha. Protein Water. Coffee. Black Tea. Raw Apple Cider. Ginger Tea. Raw Vegetable...

Read More »
What is the most powerful form of vitamin C?
What is the most powerful form of vitamin C?

L-Ascorbic Acid L-Ascorbic Acid is the most researched form of vitamin C. It is the form most well known. It is also the most active and most...

Read More »
Common yard weed melts 60lbs of fat?
Common yard weed melts 60lbs of fat?

Made into a potent powdered supplement blended right into water or your favorite beverage to be appreciated as a scrumptious morning smoothy.

Learn More »
Can I juice my vegetables instead of eating them?
Can I juice my vegetables instead of eating them?

Answer From Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D. Juicing is no healthier than eating whole fruits and vegetables. Juicing extracts the juice from fresh...

Read More »
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

Contains a potent powdered supplement blended right into water or your favored beverage to be appreciated as a scrumptious morning smoothy.

Learn More »
How do you check vitamin C levels?
How do you check vitamin C levels?

A blood test can be taken to measure vitamin C levels and may help to confirm the diagnosis. Your doctor may also suggest some other blood tests to...

Read More »