Want to lose weight? Try detox drinks. They are made of fruits, veggies, and herbs that help flush out the toxins, boost metabolism, cleanse the gut, and aid faster weight loss. Here are 10 easy DIY detox drinks for weight loss and cleansing that taste yummy! Scroll down to check them out.
NOTE: The long-term effects of detoxing are not scientifically proven (1), (2). However, detox drinks are made with natural ingredients that have proven health benefits.
DIY Detox Drinks for Weight Loss
What You Need
How To Prepare
Benefits
2. Honey, Lemon, And Ginger
What You Need
How To Prepare
A study conducted by the San Diego State University on rats has suggested that honey may reduce weight gain and obesity (5).
3. Lemon And Cucumber Detox Water
What You Need
How To Prepare
Cucumber is a low-calorie food with high water content (95.2% water) (6). Studies have found that a diet low in energy density (low in calories) is an effective measure to improve weight loss and managing body weight (7). It is one of the most common DIY cleansing drinks to boost energy and metabolism.
What You Need
How To Prepare
A study done on rats on a high-fat diet revealed that pineapple juice induces the upregulation of fatty acid oxidation by molecular gene regulation. Thus, it has the potential to reduce weight gain and obesity (8).
5. Orange And Carrot Juice
What You Need
How To Prepare
Benefits
6. Beetroot And Mint Juice
What You Need
How To Prepare
Beets are low in calories and high in fiber (12). Adding fiber to your diet helps control appetite and reduce weight (13). It is a great cleanser for your liver. Make sure to drink the unstrained juice if you intend to lose weight.
7. Strawberry And Cinnamon Detox Water
What You Need
How To Prepare
Strawberries contain ellagic acid, a bioactive polyphenol (14). Research suggests that ellagic acid may help manage obesity and related complications. However, more human clinical studies need to be conducted to prove this effect (15).
8. Fruits And Carrot Juice
What You Need
How To Prepare
Fruits and vegetables like carrots, blueberries, prunes, apples/pears, strawberries, raisins/grapes, and grapefruit are good sources of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. These fruits and vegetables aid weight management and prevent weight gain with their high fiber content (both soluble and insoluble), low glycemic load, biologically active polyphenols, and natural sugar (16).
Note: Do not strain the juice as it loses its fiber content. If you are uncomfortable drinking unstrained juice, you may mix strained and unstrained juice initially. Moreover, it is always better to eat fruits and vegetables whole to better utilize all their nutrients.
9. Buttermilk Detox Drink
What You Need
How To Prepare
Curd (or yogurt) is a natural source of probiotics that strengthen the digestive system. Its nutritional composition and lactic acid bacteria may improve gut health, help manage appetite, and aid weight loss. However, the role of yogurt in weight loss remains controversial (17).
10. Tomato, Leek, and Cucumber Juice
What You Need
How To Prepare
Tomato is a good source of lycopene, which has the potential to aid weight loss. A study conducted by the China Medical University found that tomato juice effectively reduced waist circumference and BMI of 30 young females (18).
Do Detox Drinks Really Work?
Certain detox diets – like the lemon detox diet – have shown positive results in aiding weight loss and improving insulin resistance in pilot groups. However, these results cannot be generalized to the general population (19).
Restricting calories and macros and including more water-based concoctions in your diet is an effective approach for quick weight loss. However, this is a temporary water weight loss from the carbs in your body, not fat loss. Each gram of glycogen in the human muscle is stored with at least 3 g of water. Drinking more water than macros breaks the glycogen stored in your muscles for energy (20).
When Should You Drink Detox Drinks?
Detox drinks should not be your meal replacement. They can be taken as early morning metabolic boosters to maintain hydration levels. You can also drink them between meals.
Listed below are a few detox drinks that will keep you hydrated and act as a temporary weight loss solution.
Incorporating lifestyle changes and healthy practices into your daily routine is the best way to lose weight. Detox drinks will add extra hydration and nourishment to your body, but solely depending on them is not an effective long-term weight loss solution. Start your morning hydration with any of these detox drinks, drink them between meals, focus on healthy eating, and get adequate exercise and sleep to lose weight the healthy way.
Expert’s Answers For Readers’ Questions
Can you drink detox water every day?
Yes, you can drink detox water every day if your focus is on a healthy lifestyle. Club your detox drinks with wholesome meals to maintain your hydration levels all day long.
How much weight can you lose on a juice cleanse?
The bitter truth is that following a simple detox diet with liquid infusion will not give you the desired results. Although you can lose a lot of water weight this way, it is not sustainable, and you will most probably gain all that weight back again. You may lose 1-2 kg per week on a simple liquid diet, but it is not a healthy practice to follow.
20 sources
Charushila Biswas
This content was originally published here.
