Detox diets are becoming more popular than ever before. People have more access to information that shows them the startling number of toxins that they ingest on a daily basis. But even with all the information available online, some people are still making a mistake when it comes to the water they drink.
Toxins everywhere
On a day-to-day basis, your body is bombarded with toxins. Even your cellphone exposes your body to toxins. The air also contains toxins from vehicle and factory exhaust. You may think that your diet is healthy, but how sure are you that the food you are eating doesn’t contain herbicides and pesticides? Heavy metals are also found in water that hasn’t passed through a water filter. If you live in an older home, there is a chance that you are being exposed to high levels of lead found in plumbing pipes and old paint. In 2011, Consumer Reports tested 88 samples of fruit juice purchased in and around Yonkers, N.Y. and found 10 percent of the samples contained arsenic levels that were higher than government standards for drinking water. Toxins do indeed seem to be everywhere.
Detox diets on the rise
Now that you see how common toxins are, you can understand why the popularity of detox diets is on the rise. There are many different diets and plans that you can choose from:
- Raw Food Diet. It’s just what it sounds like. You are to only consume uncooked foods.
- Diuretic Diet. A diet that uses natural diuretics to help rid your body of fluid retention.
- Water Fast. You consume only water for three or more days to help the body detox.
- Juice Fast. Similar to the water fast, but you use fruit and/or vegetable juice in place of water.
- Inside-Out Diet: Liver Cleansing. A four-week plan that concentrates on liver detoxification and promoting healthy liver function.
- The Master Cleanse. You use a combination of lemonade and maple syrup to help detoxify your body. Beyonce Knowles used it a few years ago to get ready for a movie role.
If you choose to follow any of the plans listed, there are certain things that you’ll need to avoid:
- Proteins. Soy protein and protein from animals other than fish should be avoided. If you must consumer animal protein, make sure it is in small amounts and from organic and free range sources.
- Liquids. Basically everything but clean water. Fruit and vegetable juices can be okay in limited quantities.
- Dairy. Avoid it completely.
- Breads and grains. No white rice, white flour, or white bread. Avoid all flour and grain that contains gluten.
The importance of filtered water
If you’re going to follow a detox program and you’re consuming unfiltered water, you’re wasting your time. Unfiltered water contains contaminants that can cause cancer. You’re exposing your body to over 2100 contaminants that are known to be in unfiltered water. The EPA says that lead in the drinking water is a factor in some 480,000 learning cases children are diagnosed with in the U.S. alone. There is simply not any reason that you should be putting unfiltered water into your body – detox diet or otherwise.
It starts with water
Water is essential to life. Your body is about 60 percent water. If you want to be your healthiest, put only the best water into your body. Contrary to popular belief, that isn’t bottled water. If you’re serious about your detoxification program, get serious about your water.
References:
Dr Marc. Celebritydietdoctor.com (2007, May 18). Beyonce Knowles uses the Lemonade Diet.
Discountfilters.com (2012).
Zazen Water Blog. (2011, September 29) Benefits of using a Water Filter.
