CLAIM:
The growing trend of detox diets and supplements claims that your body requires these to eliminate toxins and improve health

FACT:
False. The body has its own efficient detoxification system, primarily through organs like the liver, and doesn’t require external supplements or products to detoxify

A growing number of videos (such as this and this) on social media suggest ways to detox your body at home. There are Facebook pages like “2-Hour Detox Masterclasses,” and “Detox Support Group” with followers and members running in thousands. Several brands are also selling products that help flush out toxins from your body like this, this and so on. 

Some websites even sell products that supposedly help you with a daily routine to flush out toxins. Many products claim to “flush out toxins” or “cleanse” specific organs like the liver and intestines. “Get rid of the harmful toxins from your body from time to time with the Daily Detox Kit. Consisting of Matcha Green Tea, Daily greens and ACV + Garcinia Cambogia and Pomegranate Effervescent Tablets, this is the best pack of herbal healing you can get your hands on!,” reads the product description on this site.

Do we need daily detox?

Our body doesn’t need products to ‘cleanse’ itself as it has an inbuilt system for this, Fatimah Zohra, a nutritionist based in Delhi, told First Check. 

“Our body has an inbuilt detoxification system, especially organs like the liver, which efficiently handle waste removal without the need for external products,” she said.  

Zohra clarified that, except for individuals with specific health issues like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or cirrhosis, a balanced diet and proper hydration are sufficient for flushing out toxins from the body, and additional support is unnecessary.

When asked about the potential risks of such drinks or supplements, Zohra said that overusing those containing herbs or synthetic ingredients, can lead to adverse effects like digestive issues, dehydration, nutrient imbalances and even liver damage.

In a 2014 review evaluating commercial diets and products that supposedly help flush out toxins from the body, the authors concluded that there is no clinical evidence to support their claims. They noted that the term “detox” is largely a marketing gimmick used to sell unregulated products.

A 2019 study of 22 women found that such a supplement containing papaya leaf, cascara sagrada bark, slippery elm bark, peppermint leaf, red raspberry leaf, fenugreek seed, ginger root, and senna leaf (1,350 mg total) provided no measurable health benefits after four weeks.

Also, the British Dietetic Association has pointed out that the concept of such diets is a “marketing myth” and emphasized that the body has its own efficient mechanisms to remove waste and toxins.

Such cleansing drinks or supplements may create the illusion of health benefits, such as weight loss or increased energy, but these effects are often temporary and primarily due to reduced calorie intake or dehydration. 

“When people use detox drinks or supplements too frequently, they can disrupt the body’s natural processes, leading to dependency or imbalance in gut flora and digestive health,” Zohra said. “While some detox products may have temporary benefits, they should not replace a healthy diet and lifestyle.”

Thus, the claim that the body supplements, drinks or special diets to flush out toxins is false and lacks scientific backing. The human body is well-equipped with its own efficient detoxification system.

Also read: FACT CHECK: Can a lung detox tea clean a smoker’s lungs?

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