If you’ve been consuming lots of sugar lately or you’re hoping to cleanse your body for whatever reason, you might consider a quick fix like celeb-endorsed detox teas. We’re here to remind you to think twice before buying into that (unfounded) health hype.
“Detoxes sound promising and alluring, but your body actually detoxes without any expensive teas, drinks, laxatives, or plans,” says Healthline’s Senior Nutrition Editor Lisa Valente, MS, RD. “Your kidneys, liver, skin, lungs, and digestive system are getting rid of toxins all the time.” Basically, our bodies already have a built-in detoxification system, so, no, you don’t need those extra products.
Popular detox fads rarely pinpoint the specific toxins they aim to remove and how this process already happens within the body. There’s also no scientific evidence that supports the use of these diets or products for eliminating toxins or sustaining weight loss. “The other downside to ‘detoxing’ is that extreme diets can cause you to rebound in the other direction,” adds Valente. “When the cleanse is over, you’re more likely to overeat all the food you cut out.”
So instead of buying into potentially dangerous or ineffective detox tools, Valente recommends adding small healthy (science-backed!) habits into your daily routine, making sure that you:
- Stay hydrated, and drink more water.
- Establish a healthy sleep routine.
- Move your body.
- Aim to eat fruits and vegetables at every meal.
- Reach for whole-food snacks, like almonds and an apple versus a bag of chips.
- Cook more often.
- Cut back on added sugars.
tl;dr: Popular “detox” products simply do not work and may have unwanted health effects. To improve and maintain your health, stick with the proven pillars of well-being, like hydrating, eating a balanced diet, and exercising. For more info on detoxing and how to boost your health, click here.
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