Lemonade diet or Master Cleanse has become popular because of its ability to drop excess weight fast. Few celebrities like Beyonce used it to get the body she need for the role in Dreamgirls. Lemonade diet is intended to flush out toxins and waste from the body.

Lemonade diet requires you to drink a mixture of lemonade, water and laxatives for 10 days. This means you will have to avoid from eating any solid foods while going through the diet. 

To start with lemonade diet, you need drink 4 cups of salted water in the morning, lemonade juice throughout the day and herbal laxative at night. However, the lemonade juice is made by mixing lemon, cayenne, maple syrup and water into a concoction.

Can You Lose Weight?

The answer is yes because of the food restriction plus the use of laxatives that eliminates fluids and lean muscles from the body. Master Cleanse will not eliminate fats but rather slows down metabolism and this may lead to weight gain after few days of consuming normal foods. Lemonade diet is not an effective long term weight loss solution.

What are the health risks?

Lemonade diet are not widely accepted because its extreme food restrictions that might put people in danger. Individuals who are healthy may try this diet but people who are suffering from heart diseases and diabetes should ask for doctor’s advice.

The main risk of lemonade diet is nutrients deficit and the long term effects may lead to sickness and eventually weight gain. Dehydration is also another risk posed by master cleanse because taking laxatives for 10 days can lead to dehydration and electrolytes deficiency. Moreover, it can affect the kidney function and cause heart problems from electrolytes imbalances.

Does it conform to Dietary Guidelines?

Salt: With lemonade diet, you will be consuming too much salt which is harmful for your health particularly those who are suffering from heart and kidney problems.

Your protein, fats and carbohydrates intake will fall short from the dietary guidelines.  Even other essential nutrients such as potassium, fiber, calcium, Vitamin B complex and Vitamin D are insufficient for your body.

Lemonade diet is risky for those who have heart and kidney problem and it is wise to ask your physician’s opinion before trying out the Master Cleanse.

An alternative to the Lemonade Diet is the HCG Diet, it has been shown on the Dr Oz show and has rapidly become a favorite amongst dieters around the globe. If you are looking to purchase hcg injections you can visit this video for a much better run down on what it can do for you.