Does Detox work?
The detoxification or shorly detox is becoming very popular nowadays for people struggling back their healthy life. This is very controversial issue. You can find many in favour of detox and the many the opposite. The following article describes the detox and summarizes a research with the heading ’Does Detox work?‘. I am actually planning a detox diet plan and collecting information at the moment. All suggestions are welcome.
What is Detoxification (or detox)?
A detox diet is a dietary regimen involving a change in consumption habits in an attempt to detoxify the body, by removal of toxins or other contaminants. Proponents claim it improves health, energy, resistance to disease, mental state, digestion, as well as aiding in weight loss. Many scientists, dietitians, and doctors, however, regard ‘detox diets’ as less effective than drinking a glass of water, and view ‘detox diets’ as generally harmless but a waste of money.
“Detox” diets usually suggest that fruits and vegetables compose a majority of one’s food intake. Limiting this to unprocessed (and sometimes also non-GM) foods is often advocated. Limiting or eliminating alcohol is also a major factor, and drinking more water is similarly recommended. [1]
Does Detox work?
Despite the high profile of detox diets, very little research exists to prove whether it has any measurable value. In this study, we put the diet to the test, finding out if following a strict detox plan can really reduce the body’s toxic load and enhance the efficiency of our body’s innate systems.
“relying on a detox isn’t the solution”
We took ten party animals to a country cottage retreat for ten days to see if a detox diet could recharge their internal batteries. The group was split into two and half the girls were put on a balanced diet, including red meat, alcohol, coffee and tea, pasta, bread, chocolate and crisps (in moderation), with the remainder following a strict vice-free diet.
Can a short, sharp shock really change the levels of toxicity in your body in just a week?
After testing the kidney and liver functions and measuring the antioxidant and aluminium levels in their blood we found there were no differences between the groups.
Which just goes to show, in a binge and purge culture relying on a detox isn’t the solution. Your body has its own way of regulating toxins and a week of suffering won’t change that so you are better off sticking to a balanced diet all the time. [2]
[1] Wikipedia- Detox
[2] BBC- Science and Nature
