Detox is a popular trend among nutritionists. But such attempts to cleanse the body are accompanied by great health risks, warned dietary expert Artem Veris.
In an interview with Gazeta.Ru, he clarified that such diets often lead, among other things, to eating disorders, hormonal disorders, and metabolic adaptation that contributes to weight gain after the detox is completed.
According to the expert, today the media offer thousands of detox options. The principle of such diets is to drastically reduce the daily calorie content in order to “cleanse” the body and “get rid” of harmful toxins. “But there is no need for the body to detox because the liver, kidneys and lungs provide natural detoxification on a daily basis. And in the pursuit of “purification”, you can harm your physical and mental health, ”the expert explained.
He emphasized that a sharp decrease in daily calories and severe dietary restrictions lead to an increase in the level of cortisol, a stress hormone that retains fluid in the body and stimulates appetite. “Therefore, often a detox ends with a breakdown and overeating, and then a new diet, and so on in a circle. This interferes with the formation of healthy habits and contributes to the development of eating disorders, – said Veris. – Popular juice and smoothie detoxes are fraught with other dangerous consequences. The diet on such a diet is unbalanced: the daily calorie content is too low, there are not enough proteins and fats, and excessive consumption of fructose increases blood sugar levels. This can lead to hormonal imbalances and metabolic adaptations that will promote weight gain once the detox is complete.”
Another risk is drinking too much water. This can disrupt the electrolyte balance, which is responsible for the ratio of salts and fluids in the blood, organs and tissues, and develop into hyponatremia – sodium deficiency. Symptoms of hyponatremia include fluid retention, muscle weakness, increased heart rate, dizziness, and loss of consciousness.
The expert added that there is no magic diet that will cleanse the body of toxins. There is simply no need to interfere with the organs to do their job and provide natural detoxification, he noted.
He advised me to keep a sleep schedule and eat a balanced diet. It is also worth reducing your sugar intake and drinking enough clean water.
Source: Rosbalt
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
