Does detox really have any benefits?

Einhard

The concept of detox seems to be self-evidently worthwhile in terms of health benefits. The body builds up a lot of gunk over time, and a good detox helps to remove that, and leave one feeling revitalised and refreshed. Or so the theory goes. Yet there are so many areas in the health and fitness arena where plausible sounding claims are made which turn out not at all to be accurate. So, is there scientific evidence to support the claims made for detox? And what types of detox work best...according to the evidence?

fearcruach

Well the word detox as something that can be achieved by eating or drinking some wonder concoction is a misnomer. Your liver and kidneys detoxify the body. This is a constant process. The notion of "gunk" built up, which can be expelled from the body is incorrect.

Detox diets don't seem to be legitimate as they are based on an incorrect hypothesis.

The only way to feel better/refreshed is to cut out the crap, eat good food and exercise more.

Tefral

Just drink plenty of water! Best detox there is in my opinion.

The body is a machine that looks after itself, you provide it with the means to do that it will do just that.

Oryx

I don't think any of the strange detox methods being touted around the place really have any benefit per se. If people feel better, it could be because they actually stopped eating terrible food and sweets/crisps/alcohol for a few days while doing the 'detox'. I dont think you need to drink a mad combination of fruit juices or cabbage water or do any other strange diet to gain the benefits, just give up the junk food you eat and have a cleaner diet.

The body does not store toxins. It gets rid of them perfectly well in normal circumstances unless your liver and kidneys are borked.

Einhard

Thanks for the replies. So it seems that the notion of detox is really a myth? For example, were I to, say, just drink water for 3 days, I wouldn't experience anything more of a detox experience than had I eaten healthily for those 3 days?

calfmuscle

I effing hate the detox industry!

Its an absolute scam, your liver and kidneys constantly remove waste products from your body. Cutting out sugar, carbs, fats, or drinking expensive teas and supplements are not going to "detoxify" you.

I'd love to ask the manafacturers of these product which "toxins" their product remove and by which chemical process is it achieved!:mad:

Colibri

Einhard wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. So it seems that the notion of detox is really a myth? For example, were I to, say, just drink water for 3 days, I wouldn't experience anything more of a detox experience than had I eaten healthily for those 3 days?

You'd feel less bloating from the water flushing everything out, lighter because you have no food in your stomach and hungrier

Lockedout

Einhard wrote: »

The concept of detox seems to be self-evidently worthwhile in terms of health benefits. The body builds up a lot of gunk over time, and a good detox helps to remove that, and leave one feeling revitalised and refreshed. Or so the theory goes. Yet there are so many areas in the health and fitness arena where plausible sounding claims are made which turn out not at all to be accurate. So, is there scientific evidence to support the claims made for detox? And what types of detox work best...according to the evidence?

Read the book bad science. I cant recall the authors name. The concept of detox is a marketing tool. There is no detox part of the body bar what comes out in the toilet. You simply eat well day to day or you dont but the idea of a special backlog that can be cleared is nonsense.

arse..biscuits

I used to work with a girl who was on a new diet/detox every week. She was very fat and didnt look healthy at all. She's still at it and fat as ever. If any diet or detox worked she would have found it, well except for healthy food and exercise.

Gmpd

So is it safe to say that those detox pad for your feet and lower back are a total crock too..

deadlybuzzman

Lockedout wrote: »

Read the book bad science. I cant recall the authors name. The concept of detox is a marketing tool. There is no detox part of the body bar what comes out in the toilet. You simply eat well day to day or you dont but the idea of a special backlog that can be cleared is nonsense.

Ben Goldacre-great book, not just for the detox part as theres loads of ways people get conned by the likes of the big pharam corps

ray jay

deadlybuzzman wrote: »

Ben Goldacre-great book, not just for the detox part as theres loads of ways people get conned by the likes of the big pharam corps

He has a blog too, though he doesn't update it very often these days. There are several detox-related articles on it. Well worth a browse.