Detox Diets

Running head: NON-EVIDENCE BASED DIETARY TREND: DETOX DIETS
NON-EVIDENCE BASED DIETARY TREND: DETOX DIETS
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1NON-EVIDENCE BASED DIETARY TREND: DETOX DIETS
Main Principles: Detoxifications diets, popularly referred to as ‘detox diets’ are an emerging
dietary trend which rely extensively on the elimination of major groups from the diet, for the
purpose of removal of toxins from the body. Detoxification diets rely on the major dietary
principle that the human body accumulates harmful toxins and poisons over time. Detoxification
diets claim that such toxins can be removed by eliminating processed and packaged foods from
the daily diet, followed by elimination of excessively sugary, salty or fatty foods as well as
caffeine, meat and meat products and refined flours. Certain stringent detoxification diets, with
little or no scientific evidence, advocate consumption of only large quantities of raw vegetables
or fruits or only juices of the same along with drinking excessive amount of ‘healthy’ flavored
waters or herbal teas for successful detoxification. Such major food group elimination, as
unscientifically claimed by ‘detox diets’, may result in faster weight loss, healthier skin,
increased energy levels and mental relaxation.
Harmful Health Consequences: Detoxification diets have been associated with increasing
levels of disgust and unacceptability over the years, by the Dietician’s Association of Australia.
The Australian Dietary Guidelines necessitates the daily inclusion of five core food groups for a
nutritious diet, such as grains, legumes and vegetables, milk and milk products, lean meats and
beans and fruits. Elimination of essential core food groups, as advocated by detoxification diets,
may result in short term weight loss but will ultimately result in long term nutrient deficiencies.
Such deficiencies will result in major health complications such as constipation, osteoporosis,
cancer susceptibility, reduced vision, loss of hair and skin integrity, dehydration, gastrointestinal
ulcers, weakness, fatigue, anemia and increased oxidative stress. Hence, consumers must
remember that consumption of a balanced diet is essential for healthy living. Likewise, the body

2NON-EVIDENCE BASED DIETARY TREND: DETOX DIETS
conduct’s its own natural processes of toxin removal via the liver and kidneys, and hence,
adherence to such unscientific dietary trends is unnecessary and unhelpful.