Detox trends are flooding social media with promises of quick weight loss and internal cleansing, but many of these popular routines could actually be damaging your health. From juice-only regimens to detox teas and colon cleanses, these methods often promise miraculous results—yet science tells a very different story.
In a detailed interview with HT Lifestyle, Simrat Kathuria, dietitian and clinic director at Diet Mantra, raised a red flag about the surge of misleading detox practices. She explained that detox programs usually involve short-term consumption of juices, herbal teas, raw produce, or even complete fasting in an attempt to flush out bodily toxins. Some go further by promoting laxatives, colon cleanses, and cutting out entire food groups.
However, Kathuria clarified that the human body already has a built-in detox system that works round the clock. Organs like the liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs, and skin naturally eliminate toxins without the need for external interventions.
Despite being marketed as beneficial, detox diets come with serious side effects. These include:
1. Nutritional Deficiency
Extreme detox plans often lack essential macronutrients like protein and healthy fats, leading to fatigue, reduced immunity, hair fall, and even muscle issues.
2. Metabolism Disruption
Although water weight might initially drop, your metabolism can slow down significantly. Once normal eating resumes, weight regain is likely.
3. Electrolyte Imbalance
Juice fasts or laxative use can upset the body’s sodium and potassium balance, causing dizziness, irregular heartbeats, and in severe cases, hospitalisation.
4. Gut Flora Damage
Frequent colon cleansing or excess laxative tea consumption may destroy healthy gut bacteria, which are essential for digestion, immunity, and emotional wellbeing.
5. Psychological Strain
Constant detoxing and binge cycles may foster an unhealthy relationship with food, fueling guilt and disordered eating behaviors.
Kathuria also pointed out common red flags in detox product marketing, such as dramatic weight-loss promises like “Lose 5 kg in 5 days”, total exclusion of food groups, and heavy dependence on pills or powders. Terms like “flushes toxins” or “resets your body” are often unscientific and misleading.
So when does detoxing make sense? Experts recommend cutting out alcohol, processed foods, and refined sugars—but gradually and sustainably. Instead of following extreme fads, you can support your body’s natural cleansing functions through a balanced lifestyle.
Smarter ways to support your health include:
- Drinking 8–10 glasses of water daily
- Eating fibre-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Supporting liver function with beetroot, turmeric, garlic, and leafy greens
- Getting quality sleep and regular physical activity
- Avoiding smoking and alcohol
- Adding natural probiotics like curd or fermented foods to your diet
The key takeaway? Your body doesn’t need a miracle detox—it needs consistent, healthy habits.
