Cleanse diets have received recent attention lately as a result of celebrities who have gone on variations of cleansing diets and lost weight quickly. While people who go on cleanse diets and adhere to them tend to lose weight (up to 14 pounds in two weeks), most of this is water weight. In fact, most people will agree that on this diet, you should expect to gain at least half of the weight lost back as you reintroduce solid foods. For this reason, cleanse diets are not really intended for weight loss.

Most cleanse diets are one to two-week programs, although people vary the amount of time they stay on it based on how soon they start feeling relief from their various symptoms.

While on the diet, there is no solid food consumed. Instead, dieters drink a number of things that vary depending on the diet. Liquids consumed on some popular cleanse diets can include water, organic lemon juice mixed with water, maple syrup and cayenne pepper mixed in with water, and laxative teas. Once the period of cleansing is over, solid and semi-solid foods, such as vegetable soup, are gradually introduced back into the diet.

Pros and cons of cleanse diets

Many critics have questioned the effectiveness of cleanse diets, and some doctors say they are unnecessary and simply a marketing ploy, as the body tends to cleanse itself naturally through the process of digestion and elimination. However, there are many people who claim to feel much better after participating in cleansing diets. It's important to keep in mind, however, that diets such as cleansing diets that severely restrict calories are not intended for long-term, as they can cause imbalances and malnutrition since cleanse diets are not balanced diets.

Many people find cleansing diets difficult to stick with. Because no actual food is consumed, many people on the diet tend to get hungry and cheat. Those who feel like they are experiencing health benefits from cleansing diets may have an easier time sticking with it.

The majority of people who go on cleanse diets will agree that you will lose weight and feel better within two weeks of adhering to the diet. However, because the majority of the weight loss will come back. That's why this diet is mainly used for health purposes.

If you decide to go on a cleanse diet, you should consult your doctor first. If your motivation for going on a cleanse diet is to feel better or relieve yourself from certain symptoms, your doctor may have a better treatment plan for you.