Detox diets: do they really work?

By Dr Wynnie Chan

Look in any local bookshop and we bet you’ll find loads of ‘quick fix’ diet books offering to cleanse your system and help you lose weight in no time at all.
detox is the big buzzword in the diet world and the claims it lays are enticing to say the least. Who doesn’t want to have healthier insides and feel perkier than Kylie Minogue?

The idea behind detoxing is to cleanse your body by getting rid of toxins and waste that has built up in your system. It’s suggested you do this by only eating fresh, unprocessed and refined foods, which are not only healthy but can also help speed up the digestive process.

Although there is no scientific evidence to prove that detox diets work, millions of people still do them. And it’s hardly surprising, because they promise to:give you more energy strengthen your immune systemhelp you lose weightreduce cellulite clean out your digestive system

While it’s possible that detoxing will increase energy levels, bolster your immune system and help you lose weight in the short term, the other two claims are doubtful. For example, it takes bulky, fibre-rich foods to clean out your digestive tract. But most of these diets are fruit- and veg-based, and are not particularly high-fibre.

The reason detox diets work short-term is that people make a special effort to change their eating habits. And because they’re rich in fresh fruit and veg, these diets provide an excellent source of antioxidants and fill your body with healthy, nutritious foods. It also stands to reason that if you’re not eating chemically enhanced foods such as ready-made, processed meals that slow your body down as it tries to digest them, you’ll have lots more energy.

The problem with many detox diets is that they’re tough to follow, they’re expensive and, when you resort back to your old ways, you gain weight and your energy levels plummet again. Apart from anything else, it’s practically impossible to sustain such a limited diet for a long period of time and that’s why detox diets aren’t the answer to long-term weight loss.