Over recent years, the detox has become a form of diet in its own right for losing weight with low-calorie regimens. As springtime arrives and some may have weight-loss programs in mind, here’s a look at five common myths about detox diets and whether they’re true or false.

Detoxing is a natural process

TRUE. In reality, detoxing is a natural process of purification that’s constantly underway in the body. When everything is functioning properly, the infamous toxins are destroyed and excreted by different organs in the body, known as emunctories: the skin, the lungs, the kidneys, the intestines and the liver. Toxins that accumulate in the body (food, air, tobacco, cosmetics, drugs, heavy metals, stress) are eliminated at varying speeds depending on your metabolism. You can help your body detoxify all year long, notably with foods rich in antioxidants like fresh fruit and vegetables that are organic and don’t contain pesticides.

A detox is a diet

FALSE. A drastic diet or a fast isn’t the same things as detoxing. The word diet has been wrongly associated with the concept of the detox, since the two approaches don’t have the same goal. In fact, the aim of a detox isn’t necessarily to lose weight. However, you should take care to avoid sugar, junk food and barbecued food which hinder the work of the emunctories.

Plant-based supplements can be helpful

TRUE. A course of certain plant-based dietary supplements or herbal teas can be used to support and optimize detox performances in periods of burn-out, stress or fatigue, for example. Artichoke, milk thistle, rosemary, turmeric, fennel, birch, dandelion, black radish, queen-of-the-meadow and fumaria are the most effective. Some plants, like chlorella, spirulina and laminaria japonica help combat heavy metals (mercury, aluminum, lead).

Juices and broths are a good way to detox

FALSE. Although they contain fruit and vegetables, juices, soups and broths have two drawbacks. First, they contain high quantities of sugar and salt, and have less fiber than eating the equivalent fresh fruit or vegetables whole. Second, a liquid-only diet isn’t advisable, as you could end up starving yourself, since the body needs a minimum amount of protein to function. Small quantities of white meat or pulses are recommended to boost the detox process. And don’t rely on a soup + herbal tea + yogurt combination for your evening meal, as this can favor water retention. However, drinking lots of water (1.5l per day) is recommended.

Massage can help flush out toxins

TRUE. Massages in the abdominal region — home to three groups of emunctory organs: the liver, the kidneys and the intestines — can help flush out toxins. But lymphatic drainage is even more effective, promoting blood circulation and helping the lymphatic system to drain out waste substances which aren’t filtered out by blood.