Diet

Are Body Cleansing Diets Worth Starving For?

If celebrities like Beyonce swear by detox diets, should you? Experts share how these diets really affect your body

by Anna Jimenez

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You aren't alone in your never-ending quest for the magic diet that will melt body fat and give you perfect skin. You also aren't alone in wanting that diet to be as quick and effortless as possible. Celebrities like Beyonce, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Anne Hathaway (to name drop a few) have been known to try temporary fasting or detox diets in order to clear up skin, rid their body of toxins and lose weight. But before you jump on the trendy bandwagon by swearing off solid foods or downing large quantities of lemon water, you should know what short-term body starvation actually does to you.

Skip to see if cleansing diets are worth starving your body for.

It's common knowledge that what you feed your body is going to affect your skin, hair, mood, weight and overall health. With Americans spending upwards of $60 billion a year on weight management products, books and services according to "The New York Times," it's safe to say dieting is a national pastime. Fasting or detox diets have gained relatively recent popularity with countless websites and books promoting quick starvation regimens as a fast way to drop pounds and rid the body of toxins.

Of course, not all body cleansing diets are alike, they vary in length of time, what can and can't be consumed, and the severity of calorie cutting; but they all have a similar end goal: To re-invigorate your health and beauty. To find out what these popular cleansing diets do and if they are actually beneficial to the body, we went to celebrity nutritionist and formulator, Paula Simpson and Wendy Albovias, a registered dietician specializing in Medical Nutrition Therapy. Together they share the most popular cleansing techniques and why these diets may or may not be helpful or even harmful in your quest for a healthier body.

Now, see if detox diets are worth starving your body for.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Body cleansing and detox diets 101

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Older comments

wow

by brianna121791 Monday, May 13, 2013 at 01:40PM Report as inappropriate

Smart info

by Mollysunshine Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 02:05AM Report as inappropriate

good information

by LittleBunny Monday, January 21, 2013 at 11:01AM Report as inappropriate

great article

by Mommy_of_Ethan Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 05:57PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks

by EricaC123 Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at 06:34AM Report as inappropriate

Detoxes are a short term solution to a long term problem. They do not teach people how to eat properly. A cleanse every now and then is fine, but just for detoxifying purposes. Not for weight loss.

by robyne00 Friday, October 19, 2012 at 02:49PM Report as inappropriate

Wait - when they say only lemons, cayenne powder, maple syrup, and water, do they really mean absolutely nothing else? How do people survive?

by schien Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 05:10PM Report as inappropriate

very interesting article

by LittleBunny Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at 09:47AM Report as inappropriate

hmm great article

by Nicole2814 Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 08:00PM Report as inappropriate

Do something to help your body deal with the over processed foods and pollution is good. Increasing water and eating healthier food is good. Fasting for a short time is good too. However, it tends to be that right after the weight returns because we revert back to our bad diet. So slower, more permanent changes are better in the long run. More movement and healthy food. Perhaps a day a week with only raw fruits/veggies.

by asiagirl4ever Monday, July 16, 2012 at 01:48AM Report as inappropriate