Lemon Detox Diet

Thanks to several celebrity endorsements, the lemon detox diet has become a very popular method of body detox that claims to promote rapid weight loss and internal cleansing.  The diet consists of a mixture of ingredients that supposedly rid the colon of excess waste build-up.

Lemon detox consists of a drink made from fresh-squeezed lemon juice, cayenne pepper, natural maple syrup and purified water.  There is some variation from one lemon detox recipe to the next, mostly in the mix ratios, and some ready-made drinks are available commercially.  However, most lemon detox diet plans recommend users drink at least 60 ounces of the mixture each day, once in the morning and once before bed.  Fluid levels should be maintained by supplementing the lemon detox fast with filtered water throughout the day.  The added hydration also helps the body flush out toxins.

The various ingredients in the lemon detox recipe may seem rather strange when taken together, but each item has a very specific function.  Cayenne pepper contains trace amounts of several vitamins and nutrients that benefit the heart and nervous system.  It’s also been suggested that the heat from the pepper can boost metabolism, which aids digestion and speeds the body detox process.  Pure lemon juice is an excellent source of vitamin C and helps support digestion and bowel function.  All-natural maple syrup not only adds a pleasant taste to the drink, but is also a good source of carbohydrates that the body converts to energy.  As the lemon detox is a fasting cleanse, this simple sugar is essential to provide fuel over the course of the treatment.

One of the most commonly reported benefits of the lemon detox diet is rapid and significant weight loss.  Some detoxers claim to have lost as many as 20 pounds in just two weeks.  Also noted have been increased energy levels, improved health and appearance of the skin, more lustrous hair, stronger and less brittle nails, better concentration, more focus and sharper mental clarity.

The main drawback of the lemon detox is that it is extremely rigid and difficult to follow for a prolonged period of time.  This detox cleanse is a complete fast and no solid foods are allowed for the duration of the program.  This particular detox diet is not meant to be used for more than fourteen days; participants typically fast for three or four days at a time, while more experienced practitioners may be able to last longer.  Because the body is basically forced into starvation mode during lemon detox, any weight lost is usually gained back rather quickly once regular eating is resumed, as the body tries to recover by holding on to as many nutrients as possible.  Some critics even claim that lemon detox actually does more harm than good because it is so extreme.  Other risks include early stage malnutrition, dizziness, light-headedness, extreme fatigue, overwhelming hunger and headaches.

As with any drastic change in lifestyle, it’s best to consult a licensed physician or homeopathic healthcare provider before starting a lemon detox.