The cayenne pepper detox, also known as the Master Cleanse, is a strict detox diet intended to remove toxins from the body and aid weight loss. The main component is a drink made from water, cayenne pepper, grade B maple syrup, and lemon juice. The safety and effectiveness of the diet are debated, and it is recommended to consult a doctor before starting.
A cayenne pepper detox is another name for Master Cleanse, a strict detox diet. The cayenne pepper detox is intended for the removal of toxins from the body, but it is also commonly used for weight loss. A detox is a fast from solid food that lasts from 10 days to a month, or even longer in some cases. The main component of a cayenne pepper detox is a drink made from filtered or bottled water, cayenne pepper, grade B maple syrup, and lemon juice.
Also known by names like the Beyoncé diet and the lemonade diet, the cayenne pepper detox was first introduced in 1976 in the book The Master Cleanser by alternative health practitioner Stanley Burroughs. Although there are many variations in the ratio of ingredients that can be used, Burroughs’ recipe for cayenne pepper detox drink calls for eight to 10 ounces of water, the juice of half a lemon, two tablespoons of grade maple syrup B and one-tenth of a teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Organic ingredients are recommended, and the mixture should be consumed six times a day. Also included in the detox diet are a daily dose of salt water in the morning and an herbal laxative tea in the evening.
The Master Cleanse resurfaced in popularity in the 1990s when alternative health practitioner Peter Glickman reintroduced Burroughs’ Master Cleanse in his book Lose Weight, Have More Energy & Be Haierier in Ten Days. Burroughs and Glickman claim that the regimen removes harmful toxins, including prescription drugs, heavy metals, hormone additives, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and the residual effects of alcohol, tobacco, red meat, and sugar. Reports of endorsement of the Master Cleanse by celebrities such as singer Beyoncé Knowles, rapper Trina, television and radio personality Robin Quivers, and actor Jared Leto helped reinforce its renewed popularity.
There are conflicting opinions about the safety and effectiveness of a cayenne pepper detox. Many health professionals claim that the liver, spleen, lungs, skin, lymphatic system, and digestive tract act as natural detoxification mechanisms, and that detoxification regimens are unnecessary. Others warn against the dangers of malnutrition associated with prolonged fasting and extreme dieting. On the other side of the debate, some doctors say that a cayenne pepper detox is harmless and an effective method of losing weight. Side effects can include cravings, extreme hunger, lightheadedness, fatigue, and watery bowel movements. Regardless of the pros and cons, always consult with a doctor before embarking on this detox diet.
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