The Beyoncé diet, also known as the Master Cleanse, was originally developed as a detoxification method and not intended for weight loss. It involves a mixture of water, lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper, and a saltwater flush. Fasting is not recommended for weight control, and side effects can include headache, fatigue, and nausea. Beyoncé used the diet for a film role with the help of a nutritionist and does not recommend it for others.
The Beyoncé diet is named after the singer and actress Beyoncé Knowles who used the diet during the filming of “Dreamgirls.” It was originally developed by Stanley Burroughs in 1941 as a detoxification method to treat ulcer patients, and was not intended to be used as a weight loss plan. In the 1950s, he published this program under the name Master Cleanse. It was popularized as a diet plan by Peter Glickman in his 1976 book The Master Cleanser. Since then, the diet has been known as the lemonade diet, the lemon cleanse, the maple syrup diet, and most recently, the Beyoncé diet.
Although it was developed as a fasting regimen to promote detoxification, the Beyoncé diet is frequently used for weight loss. It is a fasting diet, and while on Day 1 the dieter may eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, for the remainder of the 14-day program, no solid foods are eaten. Instead, the centerpiece of this diet is a mixture made of water, lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper.
The concoction is mixed and the dieter drinks six to 10 glasses per day. Maple syrup must be at least Grade B, and maple flavored syrup is not acceptable, but molasses may be used instead. Fresh lemon juice is also preferred for this recipe, but limes can be substituted if desired.
In addition to the lemonade and maple concoction, the Beyoncé diet also uses a saltwater flush. Warm salt water is taken every morning, as quickly as possible, and some dieters may have a hard time keeping it down. Soon after, the discharge will trigger several watery bowel movements that could continue for the next few hours. For this reason, many prefer to use the salt water at night and choose a laxative tea in the morning.
Doctors, nutritionists, and health professionals agree that fasting is a poor way to control weight, and that any weight loss during a fasting program will return when that program ends. Beyoncé herself noted that her dramatic 22-pound (10 kg) weight loss returned as soon as she went off the diet, and that she chose to use this program with the help of a nutritionist for the film, making it clear that she would not . She recommends the diet to anyone not facing similar professional demands. For those trying the Beyoncé diet, side effects besides the obvious hunger pangs and irritability can include headache, fatigue, aches, dizziness, fainting, and nausea. Medical advice should be sought for anyone with a chronic health problem before considering the Beyoncé diet.
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