Cleanse & Detox

Do Detox Drinks Actually Work? 

BY PUREHEALTH RESEARCH | November 29, 2023

Let’s revisit this quite common question: do detox drinks actually work? The body naturally detoxifies itself in various ways, which can be effective most of the time. Sometimes, however, the body can find itself overburdened by toxins owing to factors like diet choices, environmental pollutants, intake of drugs, and so on. We also have some illnesses that can compromise the ability of the body to detox naturally. 

Here is where detox solutions come in handy to boost the cleansing of the body. The detoxification trend has gained plenty of popularity among fitness enthusiasts not only to cleanse the body of toxins but also as a way to improve health, promote weight loss, and ensure general well-being. 

However, despite their massive growth in popularity, not all detox drinks have the same efficacy. Detox products come in many forms, and here, we will delve into the science behind detox drinks to see how effective they really are.

What Are Detox Drinks?

Detox drinks can come in the form of juices, teas, smoothies, and anything in between. They contain a variety of vegetables, fruits, and other natural ingredients known for their ability to promote the body’s purification process. Detox drinks are a favorite for many as they contain all-natural ingredients in a form that is easy to take.

The ingredients in detox drinks are chosen for their claimed ability to cleanse the body^[1]. There are many different combinations according to individual goals and preferences. The most common ingredients include ginger, lemon, lime, cucumber, mint, dandelion, green apple, cranberry, apple cider vinegar, basil, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Detox drinks defendants claim these beverages utilize their constituent ingredients’ antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties^[2] to boost the flushing out of toxins. In addition, they also bring a number of other health benefits, such as:

• Improved weight loss
• Enhanced immunity
• Boosted energy
• Better digestive health and body pH
• Healthier skin

Now that you know what detox drinks are, their ingredients, and their purported benefits, let’s figure out if they work. 

Do Detox Drinks Actually Work? The Science vs. Hype

With the increase in lifestyle diseases, individuals around the world have started seeking more information on healthy living than ever before. People are willing to try nearly anything^[3] that promises them health benefits. Detox drinks have fallen into this category of widely recommended alternatives for flushing out toxins from the body. You probably have come across these detox drinks adverts: slender ladies with glowing skin and bright smiles, all claimed to have been made possible by detox drinks.

But do any detox drinks actually work? Away from the hype and marketing tactics, what does science say about detox drinks? As it stands, no scientific evidence^[4] demonstrates their efficacy. The claim about removing toxins is also vague, with no specification on the type of toxin removed and how.

The Natural Detox System

The human body has the ability to cleanse itself naturally through the liver, which breaks down toxic elements and facilitates their removal. Normally, the action of the liver is enough to detox the body. This natural system is only compromised if the liver is affected by disease or excessive toxins.

If you’re keen on body detox, your primary focus should be safeguarding liver health through dietary choices. Some of the foods that can be hazardous to your liver include junk and processed foods, which you should replace with natural options instead. Alcohol and drug abuse also damage the liver cells and can cause liver disease.

Now, are detox drinks harmful? No. They contain natural ingredients that hardly have any side effects if consumed reasonably. Many people often claim that these cleansing beverages help improve health. While this is true, the change comes from the benefits of the vitamins and minerals contained in the drinks. The shift from processed foods to vegetables, fruits, and herbs are the dietary changes responsible for improving people’s health. 

Smoothies for Detox

Do detox drinks actually work? Are you curious about the buzz surrounding these drinks? This question is on the minds of many, and for good reason. Detox smoothies contain a combination of fruits, vegetables, and herbs that can aid your health journey in various ways. There are three main types of smoothies:

• Green Smoothie: Consists mainly of green, leafy vegetables such as broccoli, kale, spinach, celery, collard greens, etc. They also tend to have a small portion of fruits to boost palatability.
• Fruit Smoothie: Here, you have fruits as the main ingredients with a small portion of vegetables or none at all.
• Combination Smoothie: As the word suggests, the ingredients here are combined almost equally or according to one’s taste.

Many people choose smoothies as their detox drink because they blend the entire portion of the fruits and vegetables, unlike detox water or juices that remove the solid part of the ingredients. The resultant puree is not only nutritious but also a good filling substitute, even for a meal.

Myths vs. Truths 

As with most detox diets, there’s quite a bit of misinformation on detox smoothies. Next, we debunk some of them:

• They Detox: Smoothies improve bowel movement due to their high fiber content, which is healthy, but that does not mean they detox the body. Bowel movement is natural — they only boost the process.
• Lead to Weight Loss: This comes from their dense fiber, which keeps you fuller for longer by suppressing your appetite. The weight loss, if any, should result from replacing normal meals with low-calorie smoothies.

That said, smoothies remain rich sources of vitamins and minerals. Incorporating them into your diet can only result in improved health. 

Detox Water

In contrast to a smoothie, where everything is blended together, detox water only draws out flavors from the solid ingredients. Although you can often find it already packaged at several stores, you can also make yours at home. Simply chop up the ingredients of your choice and leave them to sit in water for a couple of hours. The intensity of the detox water depends on the amount of ingredients and the time the mixture sits before sieving out the solids. 

Many people go for detox water due to its flavor. Depending on the combination of vegetables, fruits, and herbs, the taste could be anything from sweet to tangy and anything in between. Detox water is often a suitable and healthier alternative for those seeking to replace soft drinks. Like smoothies, the classification of detox waters depends on their ingredients. You can find green detox water made from green vegetables, fruit detox water, and a combination of both, which may also include herbs.

Myths vs. Truths

Do detox drinks actually work? Is detox water an effective detox? People have discussed this option a lot due to its supposed health benefits. Here, we separate the truths from the half-truths so you can be aware of what to expect. Some of the myths that we need to debunk include:

• They Cleanse Your Organism: As stated above, no scientific evidence shows this water detoxes the body. Instead, the vitamin-rich solution nourishes the body, and the improved water intake keeps you hydrated, leading to a notable improvement in your health.
• Promote Weight Loss: If you lose any weight when taking detox water, it’s likely the result of improved hydration, which boosts the body’s metabolism. Staying hydrated also reduces hunger, so you eat less.

By all means, take your detox water for the nutrients. It is a healthy replacement for those sugar-laden carbonated drinks.

Teas for Detox

Many fitness enthusiasts consider detox teas detox powerhouses due to the impressive weight loss potential they bring drinkers. They come in different types depending on the ingredients. The most common ones include ginger, turmeric, green tea, purple tea, peppermint, cinnamon, dandelion, and cloves.

Myths vs. Truths 

Now, what’s true and what’s fiction^[5] in the realm of detox teas? Let’s clarify a number of assumptions about them:

• They’re All Natural: You can find detox teas already packaged in stores, and though the key ingredients are natural, they can still have chemicals in them, such as preservatives and stabilizers, to prolong their shelf life. These chemicals can have adverse side effects on the body.
• Body Detoxification: We have echoed this many times; it’s a fact that we have no scientific evidence that detox drinks, including teas, have any detox ability. Some positive changes in the body could appear, but they are likely an effect of other dietary changes, such as the reduced food intake that often comes from drinking teas.
• Help With Weight Loss: Most teas have caffeine, whose diuretic property makes the body expel more water than usual. They also have a laxative which speeds up the bowel movements. The excretions may cause the body to feel lighter, but this effect is only temporary.

Legitimate teas are nutritious and even refreshing. They may improve your overall health when accompanied by other lifestyle changes.

Juices for Detox

Detox juices’ classification depends on their sources: green juice consists mainly of green leafy vegetables, while fruit juices incorporate fruits as the main ingredient. You can also have a combination of both. The most common elements in detox juices include kale, spinach, parsley, cucumber, green apple, lemon, ginger, and beets.

Myths vs. Truths 

The rumor mill has been spinning strongly about detox juices^[6]. Let’s debunk some of the common myths you can find online:

• Detox Properties: There are currently no conclusive studies showing that such juices have the ability to flush out toxins.
• Burns Fat: Some ingredients, such as lemon, are widely claimed to burn fat, mainly body fat, leading to weight loss. This claim is also not scientifically proven, and the weight loss could be due to reduced food intake.
• Contains Fewer Calories: Sugary fruits have a relatively high calorie count. There’s also the tendency to consume more of them in juice form. Taking juice instead of food does not necessarily reduce your calorie intake.

That said, you should take juices regularly to enjoy the vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients^[7] they bring forward in every sip. If detoxing is your goal, however, you’re going to need more than a glass of juice.

Supporting Your Detox Goals Naturally

The conversation about body detox cannot be complete without talking about the liver, the largest solid organ in the body, whose key role is purifying blood. The liver’s health directly impacts the efficacy of the body’s detox ability and your overall health. Understanding the crucial role played by this organ, we put our heads together here at PureHealth Research to formulate the Liver Health Formula, an all-natural supplement with a host of benefits.

How do you know your liver is struggling and could do with a boost? It could be that you’re always tired and distracted. Or maybe you’re experiencing unexplained weight gain. Perhaps your sugar levels are fluctuating. These are just some of the signs of an unhealthy liver. The Liver Health Formula is a blend of scientifically proven all-natural ingredients designed to improve liver function. It includes dandelion, beet, turmeric, artichoke, alfalfa, ginger, and many more components to ensure your liver stays in tip-top shape.

Why opt for this natural product instead of the synthetic options in the market? The chemicals contained in prescription medication could further strain the liver and hinder its detox function. On the other hand, our Liver Health Formula naturally suppresses oxidative stress, promotes cell repair, boosts the detox process, improves blood flow, aids in weight loss, and enhances energy levels.

The Bottom Line

Do detox drinks actually work? If this is the question that brought you here, you’re now sufficiently informed regarding the capabilities of detox drinks. In this article, we have mentioned how they can improve your health. Let’s do a quick recap of what we reviewed with these drinks:

• They keep the body hydrated
• Reasonable consumption nourishes the body with multiple vitamins and minerals
• They are a nutritious alternative to unhealthy carbonated drinks
• Fiber-filled smoothies keep you fuller for longer, improve digestion, and help you avoid unnecessary eating
• They introduce a healthy, all-natural option to your diet to cut back on processed foods

As far as detoxing goes, the goal should be to keep the liver healthy in a natural way. A simple dietary change, such as cutting back on processed foods, significantly improves liver health. Nevertheless, taking a clinically approved supplements for cleanse and detox to boost your liver can also aid in your health journey toward securing a healthy and functional detox organ. 

References

[1] Klein, A., & Kiat, H. (2014). Detox diets for toxin elimination and weight management: a critical review of the evidence. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 28(6), 675–686. https://doi.org/10.1111/jhn.12286 

[2] Zheng, J., et al. (2017). Effects and mechanisms of fruit and vegetable juices on cardiovascular diseases. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 18(3), 555. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18030555 

[3] Debara, D. (2019, January 15). A caution against detoxes: Breaking down the 4 most popular types. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/detox-cleanses-do-diets-work 

[4] Rd, R. R. M. (2021, July 2). Do liver cleanse and detox drinks work? A scientific deep dive. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/do-liver-cleanse-drinks-work#other-health-benefits 

[5] Cirino, E. (2019, January 9). What you need to know about the purported benefits and side effects of detox teas. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/detox-tea-side-effects#precautions 

[6] MSc, S. D. R. C. (2022, February 7). It’s Time to Leave Juice Cleanses Behind — Here’s Why. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/juice-cleanse 

[7] Henning, S. M., et al. (2017). Health benefit of vegetable/fruit juice-based diet: Role of microbiome. Scientific Reports, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-02200-6 

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