Nobody wants toxins in the body — and we live in a world of potential pollutants, from the air we breathe to our highly processed foods. So the promise of cleansing the body is very appealing. Like a good, hot shower for the skin, we’d like to find an easy method to clean up our insides, as well.
There are countless promotions for methods to clear your body of unwanted substances, from fasting and special diets to herbal teas and colonics. Juice cleanses have become increasingly popular, too, but are these cleanses effective? Is fasting safe?
Most medical experts agree that cleanses are not necessary, and can even be harmful in some instances. Here’s what you need to know: