Can fasting help clear toxins from the body? Most experts say no. Your body already handles detoxification on its own through organs like the liver and kidneys, and fasting does not improve this process.
People often hear that skipping meals, like in water fasting or juice cleanses, flushes out toxins built up from food, pollution, or daily life. Water fasting means drinking only water for a day or more, while some try fruit and vegetable juices instead. Online posts and diets promise this resets your system, clears skin, boosts energy, and removes harmful stuff. But science shows these claims do not hold up. For details, see this explanation from https://calo.app/en-gb/blog/water-fasting.
Your liver breaks down waste and chemicals every day. Kidneys filter blood and send toxins out in urine. Lungs breathe out gases, and the gut blocks bad microbes. These systems work non-stop without needing food breaks. Fasting just cuts calories and nutrients, which can slow things down. The British Dietetic Association calls the whole detox idea nonsense for healthy people. Check their facts at https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/detox-diets.html.
Any weight loss from fasting comes mostly from water and stored carbs, not fat or toxins. You might feel lighter at first, but it returns fast when you eat again. Plus, no food means missing electrolytes like sodium and potassium. This leads to tiredness, dizziness, muscle cramps, or heart issues. Studies on juice cleanses show they harm gut bacteria and raise inflammation because they lack fiber. Learn more in this report at https://www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/a69711050/juice-cleanse-harm-gut-increase-inflammation-study/.
Real ways to support detox include eating balanced meals with fruits, veggies, proteins, and fats. Stay active to help blood flow and digestion. Experts like Dr. Nair point to daily movement over fad diets. It cuts risks like fatty liver disease. A 2019 study review found exercise helps the liver and gut even without weight loss. Read the article here: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/juice-cleanses-fasting-dont-work-expert-reveals-5-habits-that-actually-detox-your-liver-and-gut/articleshow/126048474.cms.
Drink water, sleep well, and avoid too much alcohol or junk food. These keep your natural systems strong. Fasting might feel good short-term for some, but it stresses the body more than it helps.
Sources
https://calo.app/en-gb/blog/water-fasting
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/juice-cleanses-fasting-dont-work-expert-reveals-5-habits-that-actually-detox-your-liver-and-gut/articleshow/126048474.cms
https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/detox-diets.html
https://economictimes.com/magazines/panache/fasting-isnt-starvation-its-doctor-explains-what-happens-when-you-fast-for-24-hours/articleshow/126160279.cms
https://www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/a69711050/juice-cleanse-harm-gut-increase-inflammation-study/
https://primaryimmune.org/about?id=k_intermittent-fasting-for-weight-loss
