Myth or magic? Detoxing is more popular than it’s ever been - but is there any evidence to suggest that products, from herbal tonics to face scrubs actually work?
According to the evidence of research carried out by scientists from the charitable trust Sense About Science, no.
And researchers warned that, at worst, some detox diets could have dangerous consequences and, at best, they were a waste of money.
Tom Wells, a chemist who took part in the research, said: "The minimum sellers of detox products should be able to offer is a clear understanding of what detox is and proof that their product actually works.”
Anyone worried about the after effects of overindulgence would get the same benefits from eating healthily and getting plenty of sleep.
In fact, the simplest and most effective way to flush toxins from out of your body and improve your complexion is simple, quick and so very cheap.
Drink more Water!
Water helps to promote energy levels, healthy skin and hair. The benefits associated with drinking water are huge - so try to drink at least 6-8 glasses daily.
We all know that we need to eat food to live but sometimes when you think you are hungry it’s actually water that your body needs. You can live without food for an awful lot longer than you can go without water. It really is our most important nutrient.
Here are some of the benefits of keeping up your hydration levels.
- Helps keep your skin and nails healthy
- May boost the metabolism thus aiding weight loss
- Drinking water can offset hunger
- As it’s calorie free it can help you stay in shape
- Hydration helps to promote better breath
- Removes waste products from the body
- Can help to improve digestion
- The fluoride in tap water protects teeth against tooth decay
As the brain is about 85% water, losing just 1-2% of body water will mean that this most vital of organs will be the first to suffer. Initial signs of dehydration will affect your mental performance and cognitive abilities. You may not even realise that you are dehydrated as symptoms are often confused with hunger or tiredness.
Watch out for symptoms of dehydration
- Flushed Face
- Severe Thirst
- Water Retention
- Impaired Concentration
- Impaired Physical Performance
- Slow Metabolic Rate
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Dark Yellow Urine
Rehydrate with Water!
Even when you feel perfectly healthy drink plenty of water, and even more in hotter weather or during exercise. Don’t worry if you aren’t drinking bottled water, tap water is just as good and no significant benefits have been associated with the bottled varieties. However bottled water can be more convenient if you’re exercising or traveling.
Aiming to drink at least 6-8 glasses of water per day will help to keep you rehydrated. Water from foods such as melon also contributes to quenching thirst and will count towards your daily fluid intake.
Groups that are at a particular risk include:
- Babies and children that are not old enough to tell you they are thirsty
- Sunbathers
- Athletes
- People who are ill, feverish and vomiting
- Diabetics
- People with an eating disorders
- Airplane travellers (airplane air dehydrates more quickly than outside air)
Do yourself a favour and make water part of your lifestyle; we should all aim to drink 6-8 glasses everyday, equivalent to 2 litres
This may seem like a lot – but when you think of it as eight glasses, spread across a whole day, it’s simply a glass with each meal, three throughout the day, and two more in the evening.
To work your 2 litres a day into your lifestyle, it helps to always keep a bottle of water handy; in your car, in your bag, by your bed – and even in your locker, for when you need to override that 3pm energy slump.
It's far better to sip water continuously throughout the day than gulping down several glasses once you're already gasping. A bottle on your desk will remind you to keep topped up and help you keep track of your daily target.
Drinking water every day, is one of the simplest (yet one of the best) things that you can do for your body. By drinking enough, you can hydrate yourself from the inside-out – and beauty and health experts around the world agree.
