Cleansing or detoxification diets are becoming increasingly popular. The diets operate under the assumption that toxins from food preservatives, pesticides and our body’s own natural waste are stored in our bodies, and that the right combination of food or elimination of food can eliminate these toxins from our bodies to give us a clean start. Here are some of the pros of cleansing diets. Check out part 2 to learn about the cons.
Pros:
1. Cleansed palate. One of the most interesting but less thought of pros of a cleansing diet is the fact that when you don’t eat any processed foods for several days or weeks, you lose your taste for them. Many cleansing diets require you to only drink teas or juices. When you’ve finished with the diet, you no longer crave the processed foods you once did. Twinkies and fast food burgers are no longer appealing.
2. Cleaned out toxins. While this isn’t scientifically proven, many believe that toxins are indeed cleaned out of your body when you go on a cleansing diet. If this is true, then this is certainly a significant benefit to your overall health.
3. Temporary weight loss. Most cleansing diets result in weight loss. The weight loss varies by type of diet and duration; a two day fast will not result in as much weight loss as you might imagine. If you plan on incorporating very healthy eating habits after your cleansing diet is complete, then you may be able to maintain the weight loss. However, the majority of weight loss will not be permanent. Some people choose to go on a cleansing diet right before an important event where they want to look particularly good, like a class reunion.
4. More energy. The majority of people who are fans of cleansing diets will tell you that one of the major benefits of a cleansing diet is the increase in energy you feel. This increase in energy can occur both during the diet and after the diet is completed.