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“Detox” is a popular buzzword in the dieting world. If you’ve felt tired, sluggish, or experienced unexplained weight gain, someone might have recommended that you go on a cleanse to get rid of the toxins in your body.
But before you start the 3-day liquid diet detox, you need to know whether it works. Most importantly, you need to find out if it’s safe to go without food for three days.
Here’s the truth about this diet according to science.
This is a modified fast in which you drink only liquids for three days. You’re generally supposed to consume fruit and vegetable juices during this time. Some 3-day detox diet plans also allow you to consume healthy smoothies made from a combination of “detoxifying” ingredients.
Although the three-day version is all about juicing, there are different variations of this diet, depending on how long it lasts. Some last up to a month and may involve:
The idea behind this diet is that you need to periodically clear the “toxic waste” from your body in order to stay healthy. In particular, you might be tempted to detox after overindulging during the holidays and special occasions.
Proponents of the cleanse claim that it helps reduce bloating, inflammation, fatigue, and water retention (3). Those who do it will often experience rapid weight loss due to consuming fewer calories than normal for three days. Some of them may even exhibit benefits such as increased energy levels and better sleep patterns. These are thought to be caused by an increase in nutrients from juicing fruits and vegetables, along with releasing toxins stored in fat cells (5).
Read More: Detox Smoothies To Shed Belly Weight: Supercharging Your Weight Loss With Vitamin-Packed Beverages
There are many versions of the detox diet. You may prefer one over the other due to dietary restrictions or ingredient preferences. Here’s a sample of a 3-day detox plan courtesy of VegNews (15):
For the next three days, eliminate all sweets, alcohol, sodas, and processed food from your diet. You’ll also avoid grains, gluten, and animal products. Replace them with green juices, smoothies, or plant-based meals. The only sweetener recommended is liquid stevia which is natural and has no glycemic impact. Stay well hydrated by drinking lots of water.
You’ll start your day with a probiotic supplement on an empty stomach with a glass of water. This is designed to aid digestion and replenish good gut bacteria. You’ll also have a glass of lemon juice for digestion.
Then, you’ll follow this meal plan:
Here are some juice and smoothie recipes that you can use during the liquid detox:
If you’ve been looking for a way to boost your metabolism and reduce bloating, then you’re in luck! The grapefruit smoothie comes packed with lots of nutrients that’ll leave you feeling good in no time. Here is how you make it:
1 serving of this smoothie contains 37g carbohydrates, 7g fat, 3g fiber, 28g sugar, and 234 calories.
Recipe courtesy of eatingbirdfood.com
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Not a lot of smoothies out there can beat this keto avocado smoothie. It comes loaded with detox ingredients like turmeric and ginger that are high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Additionally, it’s free of sugar, high in healthy fats, and delivers a rich creamy flavor.
Here’s how you make it:
1 serving of this smoothie contains: 6.9g carbohydrates, 1.7g protein, 22.4g fat, 2.8g fiber, 1.14g sugar and 232 calories.
Recipe courtesy of lowcarbmaven.com
Read More: Weight Loss Detox: Should You Be Buying Into The Hype Of Detox Diets?
Yes, your body needs to detox. Your body accumulates potentially- harmful particles from food and the environment. These include organic pollutants present in food, soil, and water (7). Research has shown that these pollutants can cause chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and an increased risk of mortality (2).
However, your body doesn’t need a 3-day detox diet. As long as your organs are functioning correctly, your body is capable of filtering and eliminating any unneeded ingredients and byproducts.
Your body is perfectly capable of doing the detox on its own. The only help it needs is for you to follow a nutritious diet. The body’s detoxification system includes the following (14):
The skin acts as a barrier between the inside of your body and the outside world.
The human respiratory system protects the body from inhaling toxins. One way it does this is by trapping large particles in the nose, while smaller particles are cleared out of our airways through mucus.
This system of cells and molecules is designed to recognize foreign substances and eliminate them from the body. Components of this immune system are at work in blood plasma and lymph, but they can also be found inside tiny gaps between cells.
The liver performs many vital functions to protect the human body from harmful substances.
It detoxifies and eliminates chemicals through a process known as metabolism by first neutralizing them with metallothioneins before excreting them in bile, which is stored in your gallbladder until pumped into the small intestine for digestion. The liver also produces enzymes that combat drug toxicities and regulate the breakdown of medications such as cholesterol-lowering statin drugs or blood thinner medications.
Kidneys work like filters that clean the blood. They remove wastes, excess water, and some extra salt from the bloodstream, and these unwanted chemicals or toxins are excreted in the urine.
The colon eliminates byproducts from your body via bowel movements.
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There have not been many studies on detox diets. However, the few that have been done have been of low quality with study design problems, few participants, or lack of peer review (evaluation by other experts to ensure the quality).
According to one scientific review done in 2015, there is no evidence supporting detox claims such as detox diets (5):
Some proponents of detoxification claim that you need to do these types of fasts once a year to keep your body healthy. But research shows that treatments that include fasting or drastically reducing calories can disrupt your metabolism and cause (10):
Supplements, like detox tea or pills, are not FDA-approved. Therefore, do not undergo the same scrutiny to ensure safety.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have taken action against several companies selling detox/cleansing products (13, 4). Some of these products:
Juices used in “detoxes” and “cleanses” that have not been pasteurized or treated to kill harmful bacteria can be toxic. They can cause serious illnesses in children, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems.
Diets that severely restrict calories or certain types of food from your diet don’t typically lead to lasting weight loss and may not provide all the nutrients required by your body.
Although it can lead to rapid weight loss, you are losing mostly water, muscle, and not much fat. Your body will then go into starvation mode after the fast is over, which may cause you to gain back any weight that was lost and sometimes more (12).
Cutting out certain foods could also result in vitamin deficiencies (1). The longer you do the detox, the longer you’re going with vital nutrients.
Fasting for long periods can weaken your immune system and make you more vulnerable to diseases—particularly when done very often or for an extended period.
People with conditions like diabetes, blood sugar disorders, low blood pressure, cancer, heart disease, liver problems, or kidney failure should not try a detox diet due to its potential risks. Such people are particularly prone to dehydration from not consuming enough fluids (remember the body needs between 2-3 liters per day). They are also at an increased risk for gallstones when cutting out certain foods (17).
Drinking large quantities of water and herbal tea and not eating any food for days in a row could lead to dangerous electrolyte imbalances (9). Some plans, such as the 3-day green tea detox diet, can have this side effect.
The FDA has also issued statements warning about how many slimming teas contain diuretics (13). Diuretics can lead to (6):
It’s better to focus on eating a balanced diet that includes healthy fruits and vegetables rather than going on a detox diet. If you’re trying to lose weight, try exercising more and eating moderately fewer calories, rather than going on a detox diet. Remember that any weight loss from a detox or crash diet will most likely not be permanent because you will regain the weight as soon as the fast is over.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!