Cleanse & Detox Diet: Overview and Risks
Last updated: 20 February 2026
A cleanse diet or detox diet is a short-term eating pattern that claims to remove toxins or “clean” the body. Common types include the juice diet (drinking only juices), the master cleanse diet (lemon, maple syrup, cayenne, water), a 7 day liver cleanse diet, liver detox diet, and gut cleanse diet. Many people search for a detox diet plan or clean diet for a quick reset. We do not recommend cleanse or detox diets. There is no good evidence that they remove toxins–your liver and kidneys already do that–and they can be low in nutrients and risky for some people. This page explains what these diets are, what they typically involve, what science says, and the risks. Always talk to your doctor before starting any restrictive diet.
Disclaimer: This page is for education only. DietaBest does not recommend or endorse cleanse or detox diets. They can be harmful. Your body already detoxifies itself via the liver and kidneys. Before starting any restrictive diet, speak to your doctor.
Below you will find what a cleanse diet and detox diet are, examples such as the juice diet, master cleanse diet, 7 day liver cleanse diet, liver detox diet, gut cleanse diet, and detox diet plan, why we do not recommend them, and what to do instead for lasting health. For sustainable weight or calorie goals, use our calorie calculator and TDEE calculator with your doctor or dietitian.
What are cleanse and detox diets?
A detox diet or cleanse diet (sometimes called a clean diet in this context) usually means eating or drinking in a very restricted way for a few days or weeks, with the claim that it removes toxins or resets the body. There is no standard definition. Typical forms include:
- Juice diet: Only fruit and vegetable juices for a set period. Very low in protein and fibre and often low in calories.
- Master cleanse diet: A mix of lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper, and water, sometimes with salt water flushes or laxative tea. Very low in calories and nutrients.
- 7 day liver cleanse diet or liver detox diet: Plans that claim to support or “cleanse” the liver, often with specific juices, foods, or supplements. The liver already detoxifies the body; there is no evidence these plans improve that in healthy people.
- Gut cleanse diet: Plans that claim to clean the gut, sometimes with fibre, juices, or laxatives. Can be harsh and are not evidence-based for general use.
A detox diet plan might combine several of these ideas. We do not recommend any of them. Health authorities and scientific reviews state that the body’s own organs (especially the liver and kidneys) remove toxins, and that commercial “detox” and “cleanse” regimens have not been shown to do this.
How cleanse and detox diets are supposed to work (and what evidence says)
Proponents say a cleanse diet or detox diet flushes toxins, improves energy, or resets digestion. In reality:
- Detoxification: The liver, kidneys, gut, and skin already remove or process waste and harmful substances. There is no evidence that a juice diet, master cleanse diet, 7 day liver cleanse diet, liver detox diet, or gut cleanse diet adds meaningful detoxification in healthy people.
- Weight loss: Any weight lost on a very low calorie detox diet plan is mostly from less food and water, not from “toxins.” It is often regained when you eat normally again.
- Feeling “lighter”: Less solid food and fewer calories can make some people feel less full or bloated, but that is not the same as removing toxins.
For lasting health and a healthy weight, a balanced diet and lifestyle are more effective than short-term cleanses. Use our calorie calculator and TDEE calculator if you want to manage weight safely.
What these diets typically involve
This table summarises what people often do on a cleanse diet or detox diet–for information only. We do not recommend following it.
| Often included | Often restricted or avoided | Duration (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Juices (juice diet), lemon–maple–cayenne (master cleanse), water, sometimes herbal teas or laxatives | Solid food, protein, fat, normal meals | Few days to 1–2 weeks |
| In “liver” or “gut” cleanses: specific fruits, vegetables, or supplements | Alcohol, processed food (in some plans) | e.g. 7 day liver cleanse diet |
Even if a detox diet plan includes some whole foods, many versions are very low in calories, protein, and essential nutrients. A truly clean diet in a healthy sense means eating mostly whole, minimally processed foods over the long term–not a short juice or master cleanse.
Risks: why we do not recommend cleanse or detox diets
Cleanse and detox diets can be harmful. Main concerns:
- Too few nutrients: A juice diet or master cleanse diet provides little protein, fat, and often insufficient vitamins and minerals. This can lead to fatigue, dizziness, and is not suitable for extended use.
- Electrolytes and fluids: Plans that use laxatives or salt flushes can disturb electrolytes and hydration. They are not safe without medical supervision.
- Not for everyone: Cleanse and detox diets are not appropriate for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with diabetes, kidney or liver disease, eating disorders, or those on certain medications. A 7 day liver cleanse diet or liver detox diet is not a treatment for liver disease–follow your doctor’s advice instead.
- False promise: There is no evidence that any detox diet plan or gut cleanse diet removes toxins better than your body already does. Relying on them can delay proper medical care if you have symptoms.
We do not recommend cleanse or detox diets. For better health, eat a balanced diet, stay hydrated, and see your doctor if you have concerns about your liver, gut, or weight.
What to do instead
If you want to feel better or manage weight:
- Eat a varied diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats–similar to our Mediterranean diet or DASH diet guides.
- Limit highly processed foods and excess alcohol. Your liver and kidneys will handle normal detoxification.
- For weight loss, use a sustainable calorie deficit and our TDEE calculator–see our weight loss diet guide.
- If you have digestive or liver symptoms, see a doctor–do not self-treat with a gut cleanse diet or liver detox diet.
Frequently asked questions
A detox diet is a short-term eating pattern that claims to remove toxins from the body. It often involves juices, very few calories, or specific foods. Health authorities and science do not support the idea that these diets remove toxins–your liver and kidneys already do that. Many detox diet plans can be risky.
A cleanse diet (or clean diet in this context) is similar to a detox diet: it usually involves restricting food (e.g. juice diet, master cleanse diet) or eating only certain foods for a few days. There is no evidence that it cleanses the body of toxins. A healthy diet and your organs do that.
The master cleanse diet is a short-term plan of lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper, and water (and sometimes salt water or laxative tea). It is very low in calories and nutrients. It does not remove toxins and can cause fatigue, dizziness, and nutrient deficiency. We do not recommend it.
There is no evidence that a 7 day liver cleanse diet or liver detox diet removes toxins or improves liver function in healthy people. The liver already detoxifies the body. If you have liver disease, follow your doctor’s advice–do not use unproven cleanses.
A juice diet (juice cleanse) means drinking only fruit and vegetable juices for a few days. It is very low in protein and fibre and can be low in calories. It does not detoxify the body. It can cause fatigue, blood sugar swings, and is not suitable for everyone. We do not recommend it.
Many cleanse and detox diets are not safe for extended use: they can cause nutrient deficiency, electrolyte problems, and are not suitable for children, pregnant women, or people with medical conditions. We do not recommend them. For lasting health, eat a balanced diet and talk to your doctor.
Summary
A cleanse diet or detox diet is a short-term, restrictive way of eating that claims to remove toxins. Examples include the juice diet, master cleanse diet, 7 day liver cleanse diet, liver detox diet, gut cleanse diet, and various detox diet plan or clean diet regimens. There is no evidence that they remove toxins–the liver and kidneys already do that–and they can be low in nutrients and risky. We do not recommend cleanse or detox diets. For lasting health, eat a balanced diet, limit processed foods and excess alcohol, and use our calorie calculator and TDEE calculator for weight goals. See your doctor before starting any restrictive diet. For healthier eating patterns, see our Mediterranean diet, DASH diet, and weight loss diet guides.
Use our calculators with this diet
Set your calorie target and plan meals with our free tools.
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Other diet guides that may fit your goals.
Weight loss diet
Balanced eating with a calorie deficit for sustainable weight loss.
Intermittent fasting diet
Eating within a time window. May help with weight and habits.
Fad & short-term diets
HCG, cabbage soup, GM diet and similar. We do not recommend them.
Calorie deficit & low-calorie diet
Eating below maintenance calories for weight loss.
Sources and further reading
This article is based on current evidence and health authority positions. For more detail, see:
- NHS, NIH, and similar bodies: information on “detox” and “cleanse” diets and lack of evidence for toxin removal
- Scientific reviews on commercial detox products and diets
Last updated: 20 February 2026. Content is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. We do not recommend cleanse or detox diets.