Lemonade Diet Dangers

The Lemonade Diet, also known as the Master Cleanse Diet, reemerged as a popular fad diet when singing superstar Beyonce Knowles announced that she lost a large amount of weight quickly using this method. The Lemonade Diet fast was created by naturopath Stanley Burroughs in the 1940s.

What Is the Lemonade Diet?

• For 10 to 40 days, a dieter is instructed to drink only multiple glasses of the following combination daily:
  --14 tbsp. lemon juice
  --14 tbsp. maple syrup
  --1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper, or to taste
  --2 qt. water

Side Effects

• During a fast, toxins are being eliminated. As they circulate in the bloodstream, side effects include dizziness and, in severe cases, even vomiting. Although the diet was originally created to detoxify the body, one side effect that is highly desired is weight loss.

Other Dangers

• Another emphasis of the Lemonade Diet is colonic irrigation and/or laxatives. Both of these carry potentially serious health risks, including severe dehydration and heart or colon damage.

Precautions

• A fast such as the Lemonade Diet should not be attempted by growing children, teenagers, pregnant or breastfeeding women, seniors and people with heart disease, diabetes or other chronic conditions.

Alternatives

• Although cleansing is a method to lose weight quickly, the weight will most likely not stay off. Instead, try to focus your energy on learning healthier overall eating habits and a way to incorporate exercise into your routine three to five times a week.