The subsistence allowance called ‘detox‘they are nothing more than others of many subsistence allowance miracle that proliferate like mushrooms on the fertile soil of the Internet. As in so many other cases, the effects beneficial What they promise lacks any scientific basis.
To remove toxinsthe liver is already
The subsistence allowance ‘detox‘They argue that we continually introduce toxins in our body. And to return the health need detoxify it from time to time. However, many of them use the terms “toxins” or “detoxify” in a deliberately ambiguous way.
They are usually recommended to compensate for periods of excesses foodlike the Christmas holidays. And they can vary from absolute fasting to exclusive intake of shakes or juices of commercial vegetables for a few days. It is also common to recommend the use of diuretics, laxatives or foods with properties “cleaners”.
In addition to detoxify our body, thedetox‘they promise loss weight and a wide variety of effects healthy. Reducing inflammation, improving sleep, skin or hair are just some of them.
Over the last few years, numerous nutritionists They have denied all those assumptions benefits. Repeat ad nauseam that we do not need subsistence allowance for detoxify Our body, which is what we have the liver for, does not seem to be enough.
Where is the evidence?
As so many times in nutritionlack of culture scientific of the population is the best ally against hoaxes. Because it allows any statement published in any social forum to receive automatic credibility. From here, the role of specialists is reversed and focuses on demonstrating that these effects are not true.
As already we commented in another articlethe scientific method doesn’t work like that. It is the responsibility of those who affirm or suggest those benefits providing evidence to support them. If not, they are deceiving and even scamming the consumer.
From here, we propose to scrutinize the information that the websites provide us about the subsistence allowance ‘detox‘before believing anything. If the following conditions are met, it is better to turn off the computer and have a good bowl of fruit:
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They are usually pages of companies what they sell products related to those subsistence allowance ‘detox‘. Vegetable smoothies are the most common.
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In no case do they include references to jobs scientists to sustain the effects beneficial that they list.
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They tend to attribute a whole plethora of effects beneficial in addition to properties detoxifying.
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They do not encourage habits healthy. In fact, they normalize the excesses food and they calm our conscience with the promise of a “reset” with their products.
Be careful with acid oxalic
According to one revision of 2015, there are no research Rigorous clinics on these subsistence allowance. The few studies carried out present important methodological limitations that prevent conclusions about the real effects.
Other revision most recent concludes that the subsistence allowance detoxifying or based on juices They tend to work because cause very hypocaloric intakes for short periods of time. However, it is common to gain weight again once a normal diet is resumed.
The worst thing about it is that these subsistence allowance can represent a risk for the health. In 2015 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a report about the risks emerging in terms of food safety. Among them, the consequences of increasing the intake of raw vegetable smoothies, which are usually consumed cooked, were assessed. This may mean a risk due to the higher acid content oxalic.
This excess acid oxalic could increase the formation of stones in the kidney and urethra. Furthermore, it can cause loss of minerals in food and, therefore, a deficiency in calcium and iron intake.
The data indicate that the fasts that usually accompany these subsistence allowance increase the absorption of acid oxalic. This may mean a risk added if the shakes are consumed with the aim of losing weight.
The increase in intake of nitrates due to the very high consumption of green leaves and the pollution microbial are risks additional.
Breaching regulations European
All statements about the supposed effects beneficial of the products ‘detox‘they must comply with the Regulation 1924/2006 of the European Commission (EC). They are called statements of properties healthy and must be authorized by the EC, prior opinion scientific from EFSA.
This regulation Its objective is precisely to prevent the attribution of properties healthy to food without a demonstration scientific valid. The fulfillment of this regulation It is mandatory.
Over recent years, EFSA has evaluated various compounds and foods for their benefits detoxifying. So far he has not given his approval to any statement of this type.
Sometimes, they promote subsistence allowance ‘detox‘from other non-commercial spaces. In these cases, they are not required to comply with the regulation European. However, they must be supported by scientific evidence.
Final tips
Let’s not get carried away fashions food without scientific support. Let us flee from fanciful statements and wonderful effects.
If we need to change our diet for reasons of healthlet’s go to a nutritionist-dietician. They are the ones who will evaluate our health and they will recommend us the strategies most appropriate to improve our diet.
If the reasons for following this or any other diet “miracle” are aestheticwe must be fully aware of the risks for the health what this entails. It will be our absolute responsibility.
