After the Holidays: The Truth About Detox Diets Flooding Social Media
At the end of every holiday season, the same scene repeats itself:
Overindulgence in food, lack of movement, and long hours in front of screens, followed by a feeling of guilt that drives many to seek a "quick fix".
This is where "detox" diets and products come into play, with green juices, charcoal supplements, detox patches, and "liver reset" programs that promise to return the body to its "pure" state.
* But the real question is: Does the body really need all this?
This is what journalists Katie Edwards and Dan Baumgardt discussed in the first episodes of the StrangeHealth podcast, launched by The Conversation platform, where the popular "detox" culture was placed under scientific scrutiny, with the help of liver health specialists.
* The body is not helpless... it works 24 hours a day
Trish Lalor, a liver expert at the University of Birmingham, confirms that the commercial idea of detox does not rest on any strong medical basis; the body, according to her, is already equipped with a complete and effective system for detoxification without any external intervention.
Lalor explains that the liver, in cooperation with the kidneys and the digestive system, continuously works to purify the blood and eliminate harmful substances.
For most healthy individuals, there is no need for extreme diets or expensive supplements.
* When does "detox" become dangerous?
Although some practices marketed under the name detox may seem harmless, Lalor warns that misuse can cause real harm. Some herbs and supplements may stress the liver instead of supporting it, especially when taken without medical supervision.
She points out that symptoms like headaches, fatigue, or a general feeling of malaise—which are sometimes promoted as signs of "detox success"—may actually indicate that the body is undergoing unnecessary stress.
* What is true "detoxification"?
According to experts, true detoxification does not come in a bottle, bag, or patch, but consists of simple daily habits supported by science, most notably:
• Drinking enough water
• Eating fiber and vegetables
• Getting adequate and regular sleep
• Moderation in eating and drinking
• Giving the liver time to perform its natural function
The podcast hosts emphasize that the best thing to do after periods of overindulgence is not to seek quick solutions, but to calmly return to a balanced lifestyle.
* Conclusion
If you are thinking about buying "detox" products, perhaps—as the report sarcastically comments—the only thing that will be “detoxified” is your wallet, not your liver.
Experts agree that health awareness based on science, not marketing hype, is the safest way to maintain body health, without falling for attractive promises that lack any medical evidence.
