Lemonade Diet - Hit Or Miss?

The Lemonade Diet was devised in the 1940s. There is still a great deal of controversy about whether it is a good, healthy diet. For some people, it is something they do twice a year for their health and vitality. For other people, the Lemonade Diet is dangerous to your health and nothing would make them do it.

Let's first look at what the Lemonade Diet is and isn't. It was originally called the Master Cleanse, but renamed by fans to make it sound friendlier. The Lemonade Diet was devised as a cleanse and de-tox for the body rather than as a diet to lose weight. The weight loss was a side effect of the regime. Although Stanley Burroughs, the author of the Lemonade Diet said it is ''a reducing diet which is superior in every way, to any other system because it dissolves and eliminates all types of fatty tissue.''

It is hard to imagine not losing weight, when you eat no solids for 10 days. Some doctors feel it is dangerous to limit intake in this way, others state it is a healthful process. Confused?

Nutritionally, this is what the diet offers;

* Lemons are known to be one of the richest sources of minerals and vitamins. Lemons also help loosen and break up mucus in the body.

* Grade B maple syrup is highly recommended for its taste and mineral content. It must not be substituted. The variety of vitamins and minerals in maple syrup include: potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, copper, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine and silicon. Vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, C, nicotinic acid and pantothenic acid.

* Cayenne Pepper breaks up mucus and increases warmth by building blood and acts as a cleanser for the digestive, respiratory, and circulatory systems. It has been popularly used by herbalists to treat a wide range of problems and to enhance the effectiveness of many other herbs.

Since nourishment has been taken care of, it isn't likely that any harm will come to you on this 10 day fast, but for lots of people, it's just too much. For those of you who haven't yet seen the recipe, I've included it here;

* 2 tablespoons of lemon or lime juice (1/2 of one fruit)

* 2 tbsp of pure Grade B maple syrup

* a generous pinch of cayenne pepper

* 12 oz of purified water (very warm)

Estimate the quantity you are likely to drink in a day and prepare in advance. Your consumption may vary from 6 to 12 glasses of the Lemonade Diet a day. Be sure to drink at least 6 glasses.

The Lemonade Diet says each morning, you should take the salt rinse. This is a quart of water with 2 teaspoons of sea salt in it, drink it quickly, followed by lemonade. This will start the cleanse and keep your bowels moving. At night, you should drink a cup of laxative tea.

There are different ways to try the Lemonade Diet. There are some basic foods you can eat without detracting from the cleanse. The side effects can be managed and it's a good idea ensure you have some social support, to help you stay on track. This helps you to stay on the Lemonade Diet long enough to decide for yourself if it is right for you. If you are planning to detox, there are other, less extreme methods available, as supplements and products, though obviously, there is a cost involved.

It really is up to you. I recommend educating yourself as much as possible before embarking on the Lemonade Diet. Whatever you decide, the best of success to you!