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Most of us have tried a detox diet at least once in our life. The idea of ”cleaning” us of toxins from unhealthy diets or pollution is alluring – but what is the science behind detoxification, and does it actually make us healthier?
We asked 5 nutrition experts, “Do detox diets offer any health benefits? », Here is what we found …
What is a detox diet?
There is not just one “detox diet”, but rather a whole range of diets that claim to detoxify the human body. University of Queensland dietary expert Dr Véronique Chachay explains that detox diets “cover everything from enemas and colon irrigation, lemon juice detox or water fasts to the exclusion of certain food groups, herbal purging, high-dose nutrient supplementation, and sweat lodges, among others. “
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, Dr Chachay explains that external sources of toxins include “molecules resulting from cooking, frying and cooking with charcoal, as well as alcohol and additives in food. processed.
“Then there are drugs, tobacco smoke, and exposure to environmental pollutants, among others.”
“The build-up of ‘toxins’ is believed to be the main culprit in weight gain, constipation, bloating, gas, poor digestion, heartburn, diarrhea, lack of energy and fatigue. “Detoxification” is the body’s way of eliminating them. toxins and as a result a person will feel healthier and lose weight, ”says Dr Tim Crowe, a nutrition expert at Thinking Nutrition.
Do detox diets keep their promises?
Is there any science behind these claims that these diets can detoxify the body? All the experts said “no”. Dr Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz, diabetes and public health expert at the University of Wollongong, says: “Generally speaking, the idea that an intervention can ‘detoxify’ someone, or even that there is things in your body that you can and should “detox” are not well demonstrated. Most of these diets refer to vague “toxins” which, even if harmful, would not be eliminated by the diet’s chosen methodology. “
University of Sydney obesity and nutrition expert Dr Nicholas Fuller says: “Substances are only toxic in the amounts in which we ingest them. a hospital for a dangerous level of a life-threatening substance. “
Dr Chachay adds that “the human body is a complete device of self-healing and self-detoxification. It will accomplish its detoxification tasks whether you are embarking on a rigid detox or a gourmet food-and-drink marathon. wines. But providing the right ingredients for optimal day-to-day function, rather than going for a quick detox, is key. “
What are the benefits of a detox diet?
While detox diets may not be able to ‘detoxify’ the body as they claim, do they have other health benefits?
Dr Crowe says: “Anyone, especially one who has a poor diet to start with, who eats more fruits and vegetables, drinks more water, and eats less foods high in fat, salt or added sugar. , and drinking less alcohol will naturally feel better. . “
Weight loss is often noticed on 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 regain. as soon as a person picks up. their normal diet and carbohydrate stores 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 start of a long-term change to a healthier diet and lifestyle, ”says Dr. Crowe.
What are the disadvantages of detox diets?
There are several documented drawbacks to detoxification, Dr. Crowe sums them up as follows:
- Feelings of fatigue and lack of energy at first
- The expenses related to the purchase of organic foods that many of them recommend consuming
- Cost of the detox kit if a commercial program is followed
- Purchase of supplements if recommended by the diet
- Need to be more organized than usual to ensure an amount of “allowed” food at home and at work
- Difficulties eating out and socializing, as most restaurants and social occasions do not involve detox-friendly meals
On top of that, the short-term nature of any beneficial effects, such as weight loss, can be demoralizing and may not encourage long-term healthy eating.
Dr Crowe concludes, “The detox fad can encourage the idea that a person can lead an unhealthy life most of the year and then repair the damage within days with a quick detox. A theory that just doesn’t work.
Take-out: 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 partnership with the independent fact-checking platform Metafact.io. Subscribe to their weekly newsletter here.
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