Veggie Blog

Body detox products: how to judge them before you buy

Are you clean inside?

Are you 100 percent sure about it?

All of us are exposed to a number of chemicals and other potentially harmful substances on a daily basis. Even if you lead a healthy lifestyle, you still meet substances that are found everywhere, even in your own home: in the water we drink, the food we eat and the air we breathe. We cannot avoid these completely, because they are the essentials we need to live.

Thanks to modern medicine, we have ways to treat many diseases and relieve painful symptoms. Medicines, like all substances, are broken down by the liver and removed by the kidneys; they do not build up as ‘toxins’ in a healthy body. We also eat more processed food and sugar than ever before, which is a real concern for health, though not because it fills the body with toxins.

Why all the fuss about toxins?

Detox product sellers claim that toxins that are not removed cause indigestion and create more toxins, and that as they build up, they eventually turn into parasites that cause disease. This is not true. Toxins do not turn into parasites; parasites are infections that come from outside the body and need proper medical treatment.

Your liver and kidneys are very good at clearing waste from your body. In healthy people there is no evidence that they fall behind and need outside help.

That is why the best support is a healthy lifestyle: a good diet, exercise, enough water, not smoking and limiting alcohol. Some people still choose to try a body detox product.

Many of these body detox products are herbal and are sold as gentler than chemical medicines. They come in different forms, such as teas, capsules, softgels, chewables and drinks. Herbal does not automatically mean safe: some detox teas contain laxatives, and some herbs interact with medicines.

Each product claims to target a particular part of the body. That is why it is important to talk to a doctor before choosing a body detox product.

Many of these products are sold on the internet. While most claim to be fully effective and free of side effects, scientists who have tested such claims have found little or no evidence to support them.

Many sellers go to great lengths to persuade you to buy their products. It is wise to get a second or even a third opinion. A little research does a lot of good. You do not want to waste your money on drinks that only quench your thirst, or on something that might harm you.

So if you feel tired and seem to have lost your energy, do not assume it is a build-up of toxins. Tiredness has many possible causes, such as poor sleep, stress, anaemia or thyroid problems. See a doctor to find out what is really going on.

When you feel drained, achy and low on energy, the idea of a detox is tempting. We are told that a cleanse will give us clearer skin, a sharper mind and a stronger immune system. It is worth knowing what actually happens in your body before you try one, because the gentlest options are also the ones with the best track record.

What does your body already do?

Detoxification is something your body does all day, every day. The liver breaks down and packages waste, the kidneys filter the blood and make urine, the intestines clear solid waste, the lungs breathe out gases, and the skin loses some waste through sweat. You do not need to “switch this on.” What you can do is avoid overloading it, and give it what it needs to work well.

Are juice and water fasts a good place to start?

Many detox plans start with a juice fast or a water fast. The idea is that giving the digestive system a rest will let the body clean itself. In reality, there is little evidence for it. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health explains that juice and detox diets can lead to a quick initial weight loss because of the very low calorie intake, but people tend to regain weight when they return to normal eating. Fasting can also cause headaches, fainting, weakness and dehydration, and drinking large amounts of water and herbal tea without food for several days can cause dangerous electrolyte imbalances.

There are other risks. Juice that has not been pasteurized can carry harmful bacteria, which is a particular problem for children, older people and anyone with a weak immune system. Some juices are high in oxalate, which can matter for people prone to kidney stones, and anyone with diabetes should not change their eating without talking to their health team. You will also see claims that you can lose 30 to 40 pounds on a 30-day juice fast, but that kind of weight loss is neither healthy nor lasting.

What helps lower the load on your body?

The simplest step is to cut back on things that put a strain on your body: cigarettes, alcohol, and too much sugar and saturated fat from fast food and processed snacks. Use household and personal care products as directed on the label and keep your home ventilated. You cannot remove every chemical from your life, and you do not need to, but the habits above make a real difference to your health.

Which gentle habits are worth trying?

Change what is on your plate. Replace packaged and fast food with whole grains, fruit, vegetables, beans and nuts, which are rich in fiber and nutrients and low in fat and sugar.

Sweat a little, if you like. Saunas are used in many cultures, and some people find them relaxing. They are not proven to remove chemicals from your cells. If you have heart disease, low blood pressure or are pregnant, ask your doctor first, and always drink water.

Try skin brushing as a pleasant routine. A soft, natural-bristle brush used on dry skin before a shower can remove dead skin cells and feel stimulating. There is no good evidence that it moves toxins or “stimulates the lymph” in a meaningful way, and you should not use it on broken or irritated skin.

Practice yoga. Gentle yoga has been linked to better mood, sleep and stress, according to the NCCIH review of yoga. Twists and stretches will not “wring out” your organs, but they do relax you and keep you moving.

What is the bottom line?

If you want to feel better, the plan is not exotic. Eat more plants, drink water, sleep, move, and limit alcohol and tobacco. Read the full NCCIH guide to detoxes and cleanses if you are considering a program. Our posts on body detox the easy way, detox herbs, balancing pH and detox and body cleansing and detox for body and mind go into more detail.

Body detox the easy way: a natural diet

Do you sometimes wonder why your body feels heavy and slow, even though you are not sick? You want to be energetic, but your body is not up to it. To get going, many people eat more, drink cup after cup of coffee or smoke, thinking that it will wake them up. For a while it works, but the lift does not last, and the crash can bring headaches, nausea and low mood. If this keeps happening, it may be a sign that you need to look at your habits.

What are toxins?

Toxins are substances that can harm the body. Some come from outside, such as tobacco smoke, car fumes, industrial pollution, alcohol and certain drugs. Others are made inside the body, as waste from normal metabolism, or by infections caused by viruses and bacteria.

Does your body detoxify itself?

Yes, and it does so all day long. Your liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs and skin work together to break down and remove waste. Sleep is an important time for the body to rest and repair itself. Detox diets and products claim to speed this up, but reviews have found no compelling evidence that they remove toxins or help you manage your weight, and some have been unsafe. The best way to “detox” is to support your organs with healthy habits. Our posts on body cleansing and detox and what to check before you buy detox products explain more.

Which habits can you cut back on?

Many of us rely on stimulants to keep us going. The most common ones are refined sugar, coffee, diet pills, cigarettes and fatty or fried food. Cutting back on them is the easiest first step.

Sugar gives a quick burst of energy, which is why we feel lively after a cola, but the lift is followed by a dip. Cola and ketchup are examples of products with a lot of added sugar. Brown sugar is still sugar, so the better choice is to eat less of it, and fruit juice has a lot of sugar, too. Eating whole fruit is better.

Late at night, many people turn to coffee to stay awake. Moderate amounts are fine for most adults, but if you want an alternative, Japanese or Chinese green tea also contains caffeine, though less, along with antioxidants.

Diet pills are stimulants as well. Athletes sometimes use them to get extra energy before a big competition, despite the risks. Fruit is a much better choice for a natural lift.

Smokers who think that a cigarette helps them think should know that smoking is a major cause of cancer and heart disease. Stopping is the single most useful thing a smoker can do for their health, and free help is available. Crunching on carrots will not replace nicotine, but it can keep your hands and mouth busy while you quit. A site such as Smokefree.gov, run by the US National Cancer Institute, offers support.

If you like fried or fatty food but feel heavy and sluggish after eating it, try eating less of it. Grilled or steamed fish, or beans, lentils and tofu if you are vegetarian, make a lighter choice.

What does a natural detox diet look like?

It is simple: plenty of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, beans and lentils, nuts and seeds, and lots of water. You do not have to eat everything raw. A mix of raw and cooked vegetables is fine. Add regular exercise and enough sleep, and you have a plan that supports your body every day.

Now we can see why our parents keep reminding us to eat our fruit and vegetables. They keep us fit and healthy in the most ordinary ways. For more ideas, read our post on a rejuvenating 5-day body detox plan, which is a gentle way to start.

Body Detox the Easy Way: A Natural Diet