While a lot of people go on a detox to lose weight, that’s not what the lemon detox diet is for. Wellness expert Hope Gillette explains, ‘The lemon detox diet, also known as the Master Cleanse diet, isn’t a new addition to the world of dietary trends. In fact, this method of detoxifying the body has been around for more than 50 years in one variation or another, but was made mainstream once celebrities like Beyonce started talking about its benefits.’ So why have we all jumped on the bandwagon?
‘The lemon detox diet isn’t an everyday kind of programme,’ Gillette notes. ‘The goal is to take 10 to 14 days to “flush” your body of toxins, limiting your intake to only a special mixture of fresh lemon juice, pure maple syrup, cayenne pepper and water, as well as the intake of laxatives. The premise behind this liquid fast is the acidity of the lemons promotes the liver and the gallbladder to free themselves of toxins, boosting metabolism and circulation naturally, and giving the intestinal tract a rest period. Supporters of this diet claim that by flushing the system with the lemon detox diet, the body is returned to its most balanced state and improvements will be seen in mental clarity, overall sense of health, skin, hair and nail health, and in general function of the body’s organs.’
How do you do the lemon detox diet? According to Gillette, ‘This detoxification programme is relatively simple. For a period of 10-14 days, this recipe should be consumed a minimum of six times daily:
2 (tbs). of lemon or lime
2 (tbs). of genuine maple syrup
1/10 tsp cayenne pepper
10 oz. water (hot or cold as preferred)’
Gillette adds, ‘For those who cannot immediately enjoy their lemonade, mix equal parts of lemon juice and maple syrup as a concentrate in a dark container. Keep this mixture cool. Make enough concentrate for as long as you are incapable of making the fresh lemonade juice. Every time you want a glass of lemonade, measure 4 tbs. of this mixture in a glass. Add water and cayenne pepper, stir and drink. The maple syrup supposedly preserves the lemon juice and prevents oxidation of the vitamin C and enzymes. This lemonade mix should be downed any time hunger pangs strike, and in addition to this liquid diet, a laxative should be taken in the morning and at night. The goal, according to creators, is to have several bowel movements throughout the day to keep toxins moving out of the body.’
But don’t all those bowel movements lead to weight loss? ‘The benefits to the Master Cleanse have to do with starting the body off with a clean slate, but this programme should not be undertaken as a means to lose weight,’ warns Gillette. ‘Instead, it should be considered the start in a long chain of healthy decisions. While the lemon detox diet will cause weight loss because it creates a significant calorie deficit, this is not the original reason the diet was created. Unfortunately, because it has been hailed as a fast weight loss programme, this has given the lemon detox diet a somewhat tarnished name. Individuals using the programme to drop weight fast will likely get their desired results; however, as soon as the body starts taking in calories again the weight tends to come right back. What’s more, the body will lose more water and muscle weight than it will fat. So, the lemon detox diet is not a healthy option for those who simply wish to lose weight.’
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