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Detox Diets.

Lose a stone in 10 days, beat cellulite for good, banish bloating forever, and get glowing skin! These are just some of the promises that detox diets make. It's no wonder then, that after the excesses of the festive season, many of us are keen to throw out all thoughts of eating sensibly and instead follow a detox diet that promises to deliver instant weight loss and feelings of wellbeing.

In her new video - 10 Day Detox - Kim Wilde says 'Since following this 10 Day Detox, I have lost weight and gained energy, it really does work and it has changed my lifestyle completely!' Another detox devote Carol Vorderman says In her latest book - Detox Recipes Carol Vorderman, detox will do everything from helping you to lose weight, get rid of cellulite and feel more energetic to banishing colds, making you feel calmer and lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

It's compelling stuff, but many health experts question how healthy detox diets really are - and that alone should be enough to set the alarm bells ringing for most of us.

 

What's the theory?

Advocates of detox diets say our bodies are continually overloaded with toxins from, for example, pollution, cigarette smoke, pesticides, a poor diet, food additives, alcohol and caffeine. As these toxins build up in our system, any number of health problems can occur, including weight gain, cellulite, headaches, dull skin, bloating, fatigue, lowered immunity, aches and pains, and a general lack of wellbeing. The process of detoxing helps to remove these toxins from the body with the result that you lose weight, feel healthier and recover from all those other niggling health problems.

 

What does a detox diet involve?

Advocates recommend many methods to help you detox. These range from the mild and pleasurable like saunas, massages and body brushing to the extreme and unpleasant such as colonic irrigation, bowel enemas and fasting. Herbal supplements like milk thistle, detox drinks and 'liver' tonics are often recommended. And making dietary changes is of course, a bit part of most detox plans.

 

What foods do detox diets allow?

The foods allowed and banned can vary widely amongst different detox diets, but generally fruit, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, herbal teas and massive amounts of water are allowed. In contrast, wheat, dairy, meat, fish, eggs, caffeine, alcohol, salt, sugar and processed foods - in fact, most of the foods that many of us love - are banned.