The range of detox products is huge. Supposedly they can rid the body of harmful substances or cleanse the intestines.
So-called detox products have no scientifically proven benefit. On the contrary: such an unbalanced diet can also be dangerous for people under stress. A healthy body can rid itself of toxins thanks to the liver and kidneys. Claudia Vogt, nutritionist at the USZ, therefore has a clear opinion on detox products: “Detox is an invention of the industry to take money out of people’s pockets. The only thing that is really detoxified is the wallet.”
The yo-yo effect is guaranteed
It is pure stress for the body if it is only fed powders and pills for three weeks. He reacts as he would during a famine. He quickly loses a few kilos. But the effect is not sustainable. The stress mainly causes water and muscles to break down during this time. The body hardly ever taps into fat reserves, as this is associated with higher expenditure. This guarantees the yo-yo effect. It can be even worse for people with a history of stress. “Detox can be really dangerous for them. The lack of nutrients can lead to gout attacks during this time, for example,” explains Claudia Vogt.
Rethink lifestyle habits in the long term
It makes much more sense to rethink your lifestyle habits in the long term than to make a short and drastic change. This includes following the classic food pyramid and incorporating plenty of exercise into everyday life. Also very important: the goals you set must be realistic. People who don’t like sports will hardly be able to motivate themselves to go jogging every day. But if you walk part of your way to work every day, you have already achieved a lot.
