# Detox diets: woo? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 30, 2012, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/detox-diets-woo/645581 "2012-12-30T18:11:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/detox-diets-woo/645581/41 "2013-01-03T08:08:57Z")
> [@astro](#): > > In a strict sense getting “toxic” (in the sense of being poisoned) and needing to detox from a normal diet is is pure woo, but in many cases the effect will be quite positive for those following minimalist “detox” diets instead of the fat, sugar and processed foods heavy modern diet. You often will lose weight and feel better on these diets because you are getting more roughage, you are not loading up with huge bursts of fat and sugar, and your brain chemistry is not being yanked all over the place after eating. True - a regime where you drink more water, eat more fruits and vegetables and avoid large amounts of fatty, salty, sugary foods will usually make you feel better, especially if your diet actually required that sort of correction - in the same way that taking a week or two off work will usually make you feel better, if you were feeling stressed and overworked. ---
**Author:** ![bardos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bardos/32/1069_2.png) [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/detox-diets-woo/645581/42 "2013-01-03T08:41:43Z")
There is little possibility that eating this or that diet will “detox”; the organs have to work and deal with anything ingested. Obviously one can have a diet which is _less_ stressful and toxic for the organs. The only genuine way to detoxify your organs is a prolonged water fast. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/detox-diets-woo/645581/43 "2013-01-03T17:46:14Z")
> [@antonio107](#): > > What about “fake?” Well, see, that’s why “woo” isn’t so bad. We could use the term “Fake” “fraud” or “Quack” but mostly those carry a connotation of willful fraud. Often, with “woo”, the practitioners believe honestly that their program is useful and a Good Idea. Mind you , many of them are scamsters, sure. But by no means all. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/detox-diets-woo/645581/44 "2013-01-03T17:47:18Z")
> [@bardos](#): > > There is little possibility that eating this or that diet will “detox”; the organs have to work and deal with anything ingested. > > Obviously one can have a diet which is _less_ stressful and toxic for the organs. > > The only genuine way to detoxify your organs is a prolonged water fast. No. A prolonged water fast is a excellent way to send your organs into complete shut-down and failure. It can be deadly. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/detox-diets-woo/645581/45 "2013-01-03T19:02:29Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > I don’t disagree that the fad diets are “woo,” but surely if you are used to a diet of whiskey and deep dish pizza, stopping that for a few days and drinking lots of water will certainly make you feel better, no? And continuing that with a healthy diet of high fiber and low carbs will make you feel that much better, right? So why do you have to fast and drink lots of water before starting a sensible, healthy diet (apart from playing mind games with yourself about why you deserve to be punished for bad eating)? Much better to start (or transition to) a safe and healthful diet which will benefit you in the long run, as opposed to fad “detox” diets whose justifications are nonexistent and whose benefits are highly dubious (if they are not actively harmful). But face it - saying that you’re losing weight and feeling better with good nutrition isn’t as sexy as telling people that you’re detoxifying with Captain Woo’s Miracle Primitive Plan. ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/detox-diets-woo/645581/46 "2013-01-03T20:20:02Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Well, see, that’s why “woo” isn’t so bad. We could use the term “Fake” “fraud” or “Quack” but mostly those carry a connotation of willful fraud. Often, with “woo”, the practitioners believe honestly that their program is useful and a Good Idea. > > Mind you , many of them are scamsters, sure. But by no means all. I would agree had I said “scam,” but I think “fake” goes purely to efficacy. YMMV I just think “woo” is a needlessly acerbic term designed to color one’s understanding of HOW or WHY it’s fake. But it’s the internet, so I guess rhetoric and theatrics are expects. Anyway, I’ll stop derailing this thread! ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2013, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/detox-diets-woo/645581/47 "2013-01-04T01:32:46Z")
> [@bardos](#): > > There is little possibility that eating this or that diet will “detox”; the organs have to work and deal with anything ingested. > > Obviously one can have a diet which is _less_ stressful and toxic for the organs. > > The only genuine way to detoxify your organs is a prolonged water fast. [Water intoxication](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_intoxicationj) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/detox-diets-woo/645581.md?page=2)