Liquid diets are popular mostly for their often unbelievable claims to rapid, effortless weight loss. Liquid diets are fads, maintaining their timeless appeal. And, in a fast-paced modern society, the convenience of consuming only liquids four to six times a day is undeniably alluring. However, with the proliferation of new diseases and a desire for a defined, toned, muscular body, are liquid diets an effective solution to proper weight loss management or just a radical approach using a quick-fix elixir?
Significance
A liquid diet restricts one to a daily consumption of specific fluids with an intention either to lose weight, detoxify, or cleanse the body, or for medical reasons relating to pre- and post-surgery. Nowadays, most liquid diets are synonymous with rapid or sometimes even "instant" weight loss. Since liquid passes through our digestive system faster than food, it is only logical to assume that a diet consisting of mostly -- or only -- liquids will accelerate the body's ability to lose weight.
The Master Cleanse Liquid Diet
There are many popular liquid diets, the most trendy being the Master Cleanse, or as some have called it, the Maple Syrup Diet or the Lemonade Diet. The Master Cleanse liquid diet consists of a strict 14-day consumption of a lemon juice, water, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper concoction. This liquid diet limits calorie intake to a mere 600 to 1,300 calories a day.
The popularity of the Master Cleanse liquid diet comes from its adoption by many celebrities, including Beyonc, who used the Master Cleanse for rapid weight loss in preparation for her role in "Dreamgirls." However, Beyonc admits on a pop culture website that she quickly put the weight back on. "I am no smaller or bigger than I've always been. It was strictly for the movie."
The Grapefruit Diet
The Grapefruit Diet's popularity rests with the unfounded theory that grapefruits contain fat-burning enzymes. Grapefruits themselves are healthy; they are fat free, high in fiber and Vitamin C. But a diet consisting of only one fruit is not nutritionally sound. Also, according to the Merck Manual, "eating grapefruit alters the levels of several drugs in the blood and eating large amounts of grapefruit often causes diarrhea."
Calories in Liquid Diets
If you are considering a liquid diet, it is important to first understand calories and how they affect energy levels. Calories measure the energy value of foods. Calories make up the sustenance your body needs in order to maintain your daily energy levels. The formula for calculating daily calorie intake will vary depending on your body composition, ethnicity, and a variety of other factors. Therefore, foods or, in this case, liquids low in calories will contribute to weight loss.
A glass of regular water contains zero calories. One lemon (or its juice) contains approximately 30 to 50 calories. One grapefruit (pink) contains anywhere from 45 to 90 calories. A physically active, 36-year-old woman weighing 125 pounds may need as much as 2,100 calories a day to sustain her energy levels. The body stores extra unused calories and will convert them into fat.
Losing Weight on Liquid Diets
The amount of weight loss will vary depending on the particular liquid diet. A raw, organic juice or vegetable liquid diet could help you to lose as much as two pounds a day. According to Dr. Brian Kaplan, a Homeopathic physician and therapist, the best juice liquid diet consists of "raw, organic carrot and beet root juice." A more extreme liquid diet consisting of plain water for one week will contribute to a weight loss of over 15 pounds. However, a water-only diet eliminates the intake of essential vitamins, minerals, and other sustaining nutrients and is not recommended.
Energy Levels and Resistence
Since the majority of liquid diets do not contain adequate amounts of protein, fiber, and other nutrients, energy levels will diminish. Maintaining an active lifestyle could suffer as a consequence. Dr. Kaplan advises that energy levels will go down when on a liquid diet as "intake of calories has been reduced and the body has to rely on creating calories from within by using fat. This is a slower process than simply ingesting them." Dr. Kaplan also maintains that due to the low-fiber content of most liquid diets, peristalsis will be diminished. Peristalsis is the involuntary constriction and relaxation of the muscles of the intestine that push the contents of the canal forward. He recommends colonic irrigation following any liquid diet regimen "A colonic will gently stretch the bowel with water and will get the peristaltic movement going again" he said.
The body maintains its ability to fight disease through the nutrients contained in the foods we consume. As liquid diets have little nutritional value, there is the possibility of a decreased ability at fighting off colds and other diseases. "The concern lies mainly with a fanatical approach to a liquid diet in which one ignores the essential vitamins, proteins, fibers, and other required sources for optimum health" according to the Diet Channel website.
Potential
Although it is possible to lose considerable weight on a liquid diet, it is important to know that liquid diets are remedies and are only effective for short-term weight loss. Liquid diets are not substitutes for proper diet and nutrition. Most people who partake of a liquid diet will regain the weight following the completion of the liquid diet weight-loss regime. As liquid diets limit daily caloric intake, it is recommended to consult a doctor prior to starting one.
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