Detox diets have been the subject of much debate in recent years. Many believe these diets to be essential in detoxifying and cleansing the body while others claim they have little or no effect. Opinions are split but one thing for sure is that this is a huge industry generating million of pounds in sales each year. It’s high time that sense was made of this situation so that the consumer can make an informed decision as to whether this is a good idea and if not have the opportunity to save money that would otherwise be wasted.
It’s important to point out at this point in the discussion that it is not being disputed that eating a healthy balanced diet is essential in maintaining a healthy body. What is being disputed are the claims made that so called Detox diets and products are more effective in doing so than eating in this way.
Antioxidants are substances that protect the body’s cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules called Free Radicals. They help by neutralising these potentially harmful but naturally occurring bodily bi-products. Unchecked these free radicals can build up and cause cell damage that would undoubtedly have a negative impact on one’s health, and, in the long term could lead to disease. Antioxidants can be found in most highly coloured fruits and vegetables and also in supplement form.
Bioflavonoids are very powerful compounds that give fruit and vegetables their colour. They aid the absorption of Vitamin C, also having antiviral, anticancer and antiallergenic properties. It is also claimed that a diet rich in Bioflavonoids could lead to a reduced risk of heart attack.
So these are some pretty strong claims, and there are many products available on the market today taking advantage of these, but, what evidence is there to support this view?
Having searched high and low in our quest to unearth such evidence we have been forced to reach the conclusion that not only is there not a shred of evidence to support such claims but also a mounting body of evidence which suggests that they are simply untrue.
A recent report by Voice of Young Science (VoYS), representing more than 300 post-graduate and post-doctorate science students, found that no two companies use the same definition of "detox" and their claims were largely "meaningless".
"Detox is marketed as the idea that modern living fills us with invisible nasties that our bodies can't cope with unless we buy the latest jargon-filled remedy," said biologist Harriet Ball, one of the report's authors.
"Our investigation into detox products has convinced us that there is little or no proof that these products work, except to part people from their cash and downplay all the amazing ways in which our bodies can look after themselves."
With the lack of any evidence to support the claims made by those offering so called detox diets and supplements we are forced to the conclusion that does not support their claims. We would advise that you eat a healthy balanced diet which will give your body everything that it needs to take care of itself, combine this with an active lifestyle and save yourself a lot of time and money .