Daijiworld Media Network - Jaipur

Jaipur, Jan 1: As the festive season winds down, searches for “detox” spike online, with juice cleanses, herbal teas, liquid fasts, and three-day resets promising to undo weeks of indulgence. However, nutrition experts caution that these quick-fix trends do not cleanse the body—they may actually strain it.

Dr. Anshu Chaturvedi, Head of the Department of Dietetics at CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, said that post-festive detoxes are largely marketing gimmicks with little scientific backing.

“Your body already detoxifies efficiently,” she said. “The liver, kidneys, gut, lungs, and skin continuously remove toxins. There is no stored ‘festival toxin’ that needs flushing out.”

Detox plans often involve very low-calorie or liquid-only diets, which can cause muscle loss, fatigue, dizziness, reduced metabolic rate, and poor concentration. Dr. Chaturvedi explained that extreme restriction after overeating can slow metabolism, making it easier to regain weight, often with extra fat.

Detox teas and laxative-based cleanses may cause excessive fluid loss, leading to low potassium or sodium levels, headaches, palpitations, weakness, and constipation rebound. These effects are especially dangerous for people with kidney disease, heart problems, older adults, or those on blood pressure medication.

Many so-called “gut cleansing” plans reduce fibre intake and disturb beneficial gut bacteria. This can result in bloating, acidity, irregular stools, which are often mistaken for “toxins leaving the body,” explained Dr. Chaturvedi.

Skipping meals or relying on juices can cause blood sugar spikes and crashes, triggering cravings, irritability, and overeating. This is particularly risky for diabetics, prediabetics, PCOS patients, and individuals with insulin resistance.

Dr. Chaturvedi warned that detox culture can damage the relationship with food. “Punishing the body after festivities reinforces guilt eating and binge-restrict cycles, preventing sustainable healthy habits,” she said.

Experts advise that instead of extreme detoxes, balanced nutrition, hydration, adequate sleep, and regular exercise are safer and more effective ways to recover post-festivities.