Detox diets can be dangerous, health experts warn

Health experts warn detox diets can be dangerous.

"Most detoxes don't have long-term benefits unless it's a kick-start to eat healthy," Dr Lauren Streicher, an associate professor at Northwestern University, told Daily Mail.

Apart from being ineffective, experts reveal the body is capable of detoxifying on its own.

"Every part of the body is cleansing and revitalizing itself," Dr Susan Besser, a primary care provider at Mercy Medical Center told the Daily Mail.

Getting rid of toxic waste is the liver, gastrointestinal system, and kidneys' job. When food goes through the  digestive tract, vital nutrients are absorbed in the upper intestines. The waste then moves to the colon to leave the body.

"People think by expelling all that from the colon they're getting rid of toxins," Dr Besser explained. Adding, "But if it's in the colon it's already heading out the door so to speak."

If this is true, why do people claim to feel so great after a detox. That's because they are not consuming processed food saturated in fat, sugar and sodium.

"The idea that a [detox diet] is going to take toxins out the body is not accurate,"  Dr Streicher revealed. Adding, "The reason people feel better after a detox [isn't because they're removing toxins from the body], it's because they aren't putting junk into their system."

Detox diets can also lead to diarrhoea and cause weakness, blurry vision, fainting and kidney damage.