Flaunted in advertising and by some TV doctors as the best way to eliminate harmful toxins in the body while achieving rapid weight loss, detox diets are more popular than ever. Even Hollywood stars have embraced these diets to look their best on the red carpet and to lose extra pounds before filming. Beyoncé used the lemonade diet, which is a maple syrup, lemon, and cayenne pepper detox before filming Dream Girls. Did it work? Yes, it did, but after she stopped the detox diet she gained all of the weight back quickly (and then some) and warned others to stay away from this diet.

Nutrition experts say that there is no reason to try to detox our bodies because our body’s organs and immune systems are made for that. There has also been no scientific research to prove that detox diets are beneficial in any way. You will lose weight using a detox diet, but that does not mean that it is a good way to lose pounds. First of all, the first weight you will lose will be water weight, so you will see quick results. Remember that your body will also go into conservation mode when you are on such a low calorie diet because it will think you are starving, and this will actually slow down your metabolism. Also, detox diets cause muscle loss and can cause serious medical issues with your organs. The water weight will come right back on, and when you start eating regularly again, you will gain weight because of the metabolism slow down. Most likely the weight gained will be all fat where your body will store it up from the feeling of starvation it goes through with the detox diet.

Aside from the health related problems that can be caused, you just may feel lousy while on a detox diet. Most people feel some or all of the possible side effects, like zapped energy, lightheadedness, muscle aches, and nausea. These symptoms get worse with prolonged fasting, and this includes colon cleanses. Colon cleanses cause additional issues because they are unhealthy due to knocking the body’s fluids and electrolytes out of balance.

Avoid any detox diet that includes starvation, colonics, and all juice. Instead, just eat a good diet that includes nutrients that will help your body to naturally cleanse itself. Get rid of any processed foods in your diet, and instead, eat ‘clean’ foods that come from the earth, such as fruits and vegetables, herbal teas, and healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil, or extra virgin coconut oil. These foods not only help your body detox naturally, but also aid in weight loss.