Ever since Beyonce revealed that she lost 20 pounds on the Master Cleanse in preparation for the film Dream Girls, men and women around the United States and the world have been using it to shed extra pounds quickly.
The Master Cleanse is known by many names. Some call it the Lemonade Diet, others the Maple Syrup Diet. These names sum up the basics of this weight loss plan: it is a detoxification plan that requires short-term fasting and the consumption of a single, simple elixir.
The Master Cleanse is very straightforward. For the duration of the diet, which can last between four days and two weeks, dieters may not eat any solid foods or supplements. Instead, they may only consume the special Master Cleanse drink.
To make a single serving of the elixir, combine the following in a large glass:
You should drink 6 or more servings of this lemonade daily. Additionally, you may have a morning salt-water drink (one quart of water and two teaspoons of salt) and an evening laxative herbal tea, if desired.
Proponents of the diet claim that the lemonade concoction detoxifies the body and removes fat.
To transition smoothly into and out of the diet, many people recommend three days on either end of the cleanse to help your body adjust. Good transition foods include broth-based soups and fruits and vegetables.
You will almost certainly see rapid weight loss on this diet. By virtually eliminating caloric intake for several days, your body will have to eat into its reserves to maintain energy.
Although many people will find this diet extremely restrictive, others may appreciate the simplicity of the lemonade mixture. Because the diet is meant to be a short-term weight loss solution, it will not likely come with many of the serious side effects of long-term extreme fasting.
Because this is an extreme solution, it comes with some significant short-term side effects, including fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and dehydration. Many people will feel deprived on this diet because it is very restrictive. The cleanse lacks essential nutrients, including protein and vitamins.
Additionally, most people who experience rapid weight loss due to extreme diets eventually regain the weight they lost.
People with certain medical conditions, such as blood sugar abnormalities, should not do the Master Cleanse. This diet is meant for quick weight loss over a short period of time and is not a solution for long-term or significant weight-loss goals.
Although many people shed pounds on the Master Cleanse, no scientific evidence supports the assertion that the lemonade drink removes toxins or provides any other health benefits.
Although the Master Cleanse can be an easy way to drop a few pounds quickly, it is nearly impossible to sustain the weight loss over a long period of time. If you are looking to sustain your weight loss, consider other, less extreme diets that will allow you to maintain your ideal weight.
The Master Cleanse should never be considered a long-term solution because it significantly deprives dieters of the necessary nutrients for their bodies to function. It is essentially a starvation diet.