6 Popular Cleanses That Won’t Drive You Crazy

Summer and swimsuit season are right around the corner, and with those thoughts of sunny days and warm nights comes a desire to look and feel your best. One way to kickstart your body into warm-weather action and give built-up toxins the boot is to partake in a fast or cleanse. Fasting offers a chance to hit the physiological “reset” button-something that holds appeal for a lot of people. After all, who wouldn’t like to return to that unclogged, pretox body we all had when we were eight years old? Don’t know your Beyonce lemonade diet from your bentonite clay? Here’s a breakdown of six popular detox diets.

Juice fasting
Traditionally, only juice is consumed during this fast-at least a gallon per day. Choose fresh, organic juices and water, and also include herbal teas, if desired. Use a juicer to whip up wholesome fruit and veggie drinks from the comfort of home. People on a juice fast are usually advised to stick with it until they are free of detoxification symptoms, which can range from bad breath to a change in body odor due to released toxins, for two days.

Master Cleanse
Also known as the lemonade diet, this cleanse involves a simple lemonade recipe: fresh-squeezed lemon juice, purified water, grade-B maple syrup, and cayenne pepper. Drink a minimum of six to 12 glasses throughout the day whenever hungry. Begin each day with a salt-water flush and drink a laxative tea every night.

Bentonite clay and psyllium husk bowel cleanse
Mix one tablespoon of liquid bentonite clay and one tablespoon of whole psyllium husk in a cold glass of water and stir. Drink as many times a day as desired on an empty stomach and always follow with a glass of water. Eat normally and drink up to two liters of warm water per day.

Water fasting
During this detox diet, the body subsists on water, lemon water, and sometimes fresh juices. Alternate-day water fasts are a less restrictive way to detoxify the body while still allowing solid foods every other day. Doctors warn against water fasts that exceed one week. As with most fasts, to reduce shock to the body and maximize the potential benefits, participants are encouraged to ease both into and out of the cleansing period.

Liver detox cleanse
Foods high in antioxidants such as milk thistle, vitamin C, selenium, beta carotene, and vitamin E are great for cleansing the liver. A diet heavy in vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage, along with B vitamins, including riboflavin and niacin, can enhance liver detoxification.

Gallbladder detox cleanse
Comprised of two parts, this three-day cleanse calls for a special detox drink. Mix one cup of lemon juice with one cup of olive oil, and drink three times a day. During this cleanse, consume only apples, fresh-squeezed apple juice, and apple cider vinegar, but take in enough to feel full.