The term detox or detoxification has become a popular word in our culture over the last few years. While once associated with alcohol or drug use, today it essentially refers to the removal of almost any type of substance from the body- including food. Therefore, the Detox Diet can be described as a short term diet to remove a variety of different types of food substances from our bodies.

Overview of Detox Diet

The Detox diet is a short term or temporary diet. Unlike other types of diets, the Detox Diet will not help you build muscle mass or offer a long term solution for optimal physical nutrition. Instead, the Detox diet is used simply to detoxify the body of many harmful toxins that an individual has ingested including preservatives, processed foods, fatty meats and even fruits and vegetables.

Once on the Detox diet, the dieter should eat foods that are organic and all-natural. This means that you should avoid foods with preservatives, fruits and vegetables grown with insecticides or pesticides and refrain from taking any kind of drug or unnatural supplement.

Foods that should be eaten include fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamins and nutrients, as well as anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants can help expunge waste products and toxins that are found in our bodies. While on the Detox Diet other foods that should be consumed can include foods that are rich in fiber, as well as water content to help flush out toxins in the body- ultimately assisting your digestive system.

Detox Diet Pros

Obviously, there are a lot of benefits that the Detox diet offers. For instance the Detox diet is a great way to eliminate many of the potentially harmful toxins found in our body. Toxins and other potentially harmful substances that are consumed over a lifetime can deprive the body from receiving necessary nutrients, thus leading to decreased immune system functionality and possible imbalances of hormones. In addition, it can also lead to a decrease in metabolism, as well as nutritional deficiency.

Detox Diet Cons and a Word of Caution

Although the Detox Diet can be beneficial to some, many individuals on it may experience some mild side effects such as headaches, dizziness, diarrhea, weight loss, mood swings, etc. These mild side effects are usually due to your body cleansing itself and adjusting to the changes in food consumed. For most dieters, your body will adapt to the Detox Diet with little or no issues.

Before starting the Detox Diet or any other diet it is wise to first consult with your doctor. It is important to note that the Detox Diet is not recommended for children, pregnant women or nursing mothers.