Detox Drinks to Lose Weight

Detox programs are designed to help your body eliminate toxins and improve metabolic function. But a secondary benefit---or effect---is loss of weight due to caloric restrictions and increased metabolism. Make sure you consult with your doctor to determine if a detox program will be good for your health.

Purpose of a Detox Diet

While many people are losing weight as a result of detox diets they are not the answer to all of your weight problems. The purpose of these programs is detoxification, and while they will help improve your health and cause weight loss, they are not meant as a long-term solution. If you use a detox regimen as a weight loss program and do nothing to change bad eating habits or a poor exercise routine, you'll end up being disappointed.

Types of Detox Drinks

There are many detox drinks from which to choose. Some detox programs, such as the lemonade diet and fruit juice diet, require that you make your own beverages from fresh, preferably organic fruits and vegetables. Other detox drinks are high in antioxidants and may come in the form of concentrated juice blends or herbal teas. Green tea, pomegranate and acai berry mixtures are extremely popular for their healthy properties.
You can find instructions for do-it-yourself detox drinks online at sites such as themastercleanse.org or visit local health food stores and purchase their products.

What to Expect on Detox

If you are eliminating solid food from your diet during a detox, then it's a good idea to prepare your digestive tract beforehand by restricting your solid food intake to fresh fruits and vegetables beginning three days prior to the new program. And once you start the detox, expect to feel worse before you feel better, as you are releasing toxins into your body---and it takes time for them to be flushed out. You may even get flu-like symptoms, be tired and become agitated as a result of your hunger pangs. It will take a few days to begin to feel better as toxins are flushed from your system.
Consume at least two liters of water daily in addition to the detox drink. Consult with a doctor if you experience dizziness at any time, as this could indicate a serious condition caused by an imbalance of electrolytes. Once you are done with the detox, slowly re-introduce solid food into your system, first with juices and broths and then fruits and vegetables over the course of several days.