Tree Sap Diet

The tree sap diet is also known as the maple syrup diet, because the natural tree syrup used on the diet is made from maple and palm tree sap. The diet is also known as the Beyonce or Beyonce Knowles diet, as she said she used this diet to lose 20 lbs. in 10 days for her role in the movie "Dreamgirls." Peter Glickman wrote a book on the diet called "The Master Cleanse Diet." However, the original name of the diet was the the lemon detox, named by naturopath Stanley Burroughs when he introduced the diet in 1976.

What is the Diet?

The tree sap diet is a detox diet. You substitute a drink in place of meals in order to rid your body of toxins, excess water weight and boost your body's metabolism. In addition, if you continue on the diet for a certain period of time, your body will have nothing left to eat and will eat the fat in your body.

Making the Drink

Mix 2 tbsp. Madal Bal Natural Tree Syrup (if you cannot find this syrup, you can substitute natural maple syrup) with 2 tbsp. fresh-squeezed lemon juice, a pinch of cayenne pepper and a pint of water. You can use either hot or cold water; however, cold water can speed up your body's metabolism and hot water expands your stomach, making you feel fuller.

Diet Plans

There are three levels of the tree sap diet. The 3-day plan requires you to only drink the diet drink for 3 days straight. You eat no other foods or drink. You can drink as much of the drink mixture as you would like, but try to drink 6 to 9 servings a day. This version of the diet is mainly used for toxin detox, and not so much fat loss. The next version is the full detox version. You drink the diet mixture for 10 days straight. No other eating or drinking is allowed. As with the 3-day plan, you can drink as much as you like, but try to drink at least 6 to 9 servings daily. This version of the diet cleanses the body and burns fat, as there is nothing else for the body to eat. The last level of the diet is the master plan. This plan recommends you eat a healthy diet normally; however, twice a year you detox your body by drinking only the diet drink for 7 days straight.

Benefits

Diets are not monitored or regulated by the FDA, and because of this, professional studies are not routinely done and the effects or benefits cannot be proved. However, many of the claimed benefits of the tree sap diet include rapid weight loss, cleaning out body toxins, building up the body's resistance to illnesses, increased energy, healthier and clearer skin and stronger, shinier, healthier hair and nails. Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist Michael Picco, M.D. reports that the benefits of detox diets include increased levels of energy, focus and feelings of lightness.

Warnings

As with any diet, consult a physician before starting. This is especially important if you have any health issues that a diet may impact, such as pregnancy or diabetes. Be aware that because the tree sap diet is a body cleansing diet, especially during the first 3 days, frequent and loose bowel movements are to be expected. The tree sap diet is an extremely low calorie diet, and this can lead to extreme hunger, food cravings and irritability. Also, many detox diets clean your bowels and make you lose water weight, but once you return to eating regular food, you may gain most of the weight back.