Does The Lemon Detox Diet Really Work?

The Lemon Detox diet is a program that has been developed to fight the hazards caused by the modern lifestyle. Despite the advancement in technology, we continuously have lesser amounts of time for ourselves and as the pressure builds up we look toward convenient foods that are unhealthy.

Additionally, high levels of consumption of alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and inadequate sleep lead to large amounts of toxins that accumulate in the body.

To negate the negative effects of these toxins that Stanley Burrough developed the Lemon Detox diet years ago.

Understanding the Lemon Detox Diet

Also known as the Master Cleanse diet, the Lemon Detox diet is an extremely strict diet that expects followers to consume a specific recipe of lemonade that is prescribed. The diet is based on the belief that consumption of lemon, cayenne pepper, maple syrup and water can help in flushing out toxins from the body, ensuring a healthier body.

Each of the ingredients used in the Lemon Detox diet have been added for a purpose. Vitamin C in the lemon helps in removing the toxins and absorbing fat by entering into the blood stream.

Cayenne pepper helps in speeding up the metabolic rate and the maple syrup provides the required carbohydrates, calcium and potassium for the body. The maple syrup also neutralizes the taste of the cayenne pepper for better palatability.

The Lemon Detox diet recipe contains 2 table spoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 2 table spoons of maple syrup, a pinch of cayenne pepper mixed in about 250ml of water. The water should not be cold and ice cubes are not allowed to be added in the drink.

You need to consume this specially prepared lemonade every two hours, finishing around 12 glasses in a day. The diet can be followed from anywhere between 4 to 14 days.

This Lemon Detox diet helps in detoxifying the body. It is also beneficial for the immune system, skin, hair and nails, digestion and blood circulation and weight loss.

Is the Lemon Detox Diet Safe?

The Lemon Detox diet does not advocate consumption of any chemicals or supplements for weight loss. Therefore, having the prescribed lemonade is not likely to cause any side effects.

However, the diet is an extremely low calorie diet that does not allow consumption of any solid food. The only other foods that you can consume, other than the lemonade are water and a natural laxative like green tea before retiring for the night.

Due to the excessively low level of calories in the Lemon Detox diet, those who follow this diet are likely to experience headaches, fatigue, dizziness, nausea or constipation. The diet is also considered to be deficient in adequate nutrition and therefore, should not be followed for a long period of time.

Losing Weight When On The Lemon Detox Diet

The Lemon Detox diet was not developed for weight loss, the real objective of the diet was to provide a means of getting rid of the toxins that develop in the body.

However, it was soon noticed that the diet could result in weight loss and therefore, the Lemon Detox diet started to be popularized as a weight loss diet.

Although there is ample empirical evidence that the Lemon Detox diet does result in weight loss, it is extremely likely that the weight loss shall occur due to water loss and lean muscle tissue; this may result in a body that is not firm.

So, the Lemon Detox diet can be followed for a few days to ensure some quick weight loss, but, it is not something that you should continue for longer periods of time.