Detox diet: a marketing myth?

Do you believe in detox diets?  Or perhaps you're avoiding foods and ingredients declared to be toxifying, like wheat, dairy, meat, fish, eggs, caffeine, alcohol, salt, sugar and processed foods.

If so, you've fallen for a "marketing myth" according to The British Dietetic Association.

"Detox is a meaningless term that is used all the time and because it hasn't been defined, it's impossible to say if it has worked or if it hasn't," stated a spokesman.

As reported in the BBC magazine (What's the point of detoxing?), "The detox fad - or fads, as there are many methods - is an example of the capacity of people to believe in and pay for magic despite the lack of any sound evidence," stated Martin Wiseman, visiting professor of human nutrition at the University of Southampton.

These nutrition experts recommend good-old-fashioned water and sleep to improve body function.  This won't stop the flow of detox promises from product firms.  Even V8 is getting into the action with their detox-oriented V8 Diet.

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