Is the Lemonade Diet Safe?
The ‘lemonade diet’ as it is now often called is actually a way to detoxify and cleanse the body which was developed back in the 1940′s when we were just emerging from a second world war and when medical knowledge was not a fraction of what it is today, with that in mind you have to question if it is actually that safe to follow.
Supporters of the cleanse claim that you get everything you need to survive from the drink you make of fresh lemonade, cayenne pepper and grade B maple syrup. So when I looked these ingredients up in the USDA Nutrient Database then I expected them all to be nutrient powerhouses that would flood your body with vitamins and minerals, instead I found mediocre items that even combined would not provide anything near what the body needs to survive.
Of course most intensive cleansing programs today actually make you fast for the duration of the program, so you could argue that this is marginally better than them in that you are at least getting some nutrients over the course of the 10 days most people follow this cleanse for. Yet drinking a mixture laced with maple syrup does not seem sensible, it means throughout the day you are spiking your blood sugar level so it crashes afterwards, possibly risking health issues such as diabetes just to cleanse your body.
I know that lots of people bestow the cleanse with almost magical properties and claim it has done everything from cured illnesses to make them more spiritual, but that has also led to a rise in the length of time people are doing it for. I have seen in some forums people who want to start a cleanse for a full month because they are not finding the 10 day program taxing anymore!
I can’t help but think there are better programs out there to help you cleanse your body than this, modern solutions that don’t use such a controversial concoction of ingredients. Or if you are really serious about cleansing your body you could attend one of the many residential programs where they have doctors and nutritionists on hand to monitor you throughout the time you are there, I know I would feel much more comfortable with that than trying to mess around with my body using a homemade drink!
The lemonade diet is very popular at the moment and I am sure lots of people will disagree with this article, but I don’t think this is the best way to cleanse yourself and certainly not a good way to lose weight like people are starting to use it for. If you really want to give it a go then please consult with your doctor about it before you start! (as you should with any dietary/exercise change or cleansing program)
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