The Master Cleanse Diet, or Lemonade Diet, is a modified juice used for rapid weight loss.
No solid food is eaten for at least 10 days, and the only source of calories and nutrients is homemade sweet lemonade.
Proponents of this diet claim it melts fat and cleanses your body of toxins, but does science really back up these claims?
This article will take a closer look at the pros and cons of the Master Cleanse Diet, discuss whether it leads to weight loss, and provide more information on how it works.
How does the Master Cleanse Diet work?
The Master Cleanse Diet is relatively easy to follow, but since it does not allow for solid foods, it can require quite a bit of adjustment from a regular diet.
Getting into a master cleanse
A liquid-only diet is a drastic change for most people, so it’s recommended to gradually taper off over a few days.
Day 1 and 2: Cut out processed foods, alcohol, caffeine, meat, dairy, and added sugar. Focus on eating whole foods, especially fruits and vegetables.
Day 3: Stick to a liquid diet with smoothies, purees, soups, and fresh fruit and vegetable juices.
Day 4: Drink only water and freshly squeezed orange juice. Add maple syrup if needed for extra calories. Drink a soothing tea before going to bed.
Day 5: Start the Master Cleanse.
After master cleaning
Once you officially start the Master Cleanse, all your calories will come from a homemade lemon-maple-cayenne drink.
The recipe for the Master Cleansing Drink is:
2 tablespoons (30 grams) freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon)
2 tablespoons (40 grams) pure maple syrup
1/10 teaspoon (0.2 grams) cayenne pepper (or to taste)
8-12 ounces of purified or spring water
Just mix the above ingredients and drink when you are hungry. It is recommended to use at least six times a day.
In addition to lemonade, drink a liter of warm salt water every morning to stimulate bowel movements. A soothing herbal tea is allowed as desired.
The creators of the Master Cleanse recommend sticking to the diet for at least 10 and up to 40 days, but there is no research to support these recommendations.