Q&A: Alice Tuff

Published on Monday 5 January 2009 21:05

Following the publication of a report by Voice of Young Science, which claimed that so-called "detox" products do not work, the development officer from the charity explains why "detox products only cleanse you of cash''.

In science, what does detox actually mean?

Detox means the removal of toxins from the body. It has no meaning outside of the clinical treatment for drug addiction or poisoning.

Can products actually help us to detox, or is this just a marketing tool?

Many of the claims that detox products make are contrary to what we know about how the body works. Our bodies have their own detox mechanisms. The gut prevents many toxins from entering the body and the liver combines toxins with its own chemicals, making compounds that are excreted by the kidneys.

So what do products that claim to detox you – such as drinks and supplements – actually do?

Very little – it isn't possible to improve the function of your liver and kidneys without medical assistance.

Can so-called detox products do more harm than good?

Some detox products, particularly diets, can be dangerous. Many of the detox products which claim to flush the body of toxins contain diuretics which, in extreme cases, can cause your salt levels to become depleted, causing cramping or, in the worst cases, a coma.

Do you think there should be stricter regulations on what can be called detox?

We'd like to see a culture of people challenging companies who make detox claims and for retailers to stop renaming mundane things, like cleaning your skin or washing your hair, as detox. The Voice of Young Science network wants to make the detox claim a marketing embarrassment.

What is the best way to recover after a period of indulgence?

Let your body use the systems it has evolved over thousands of years. Have a good night's sleep and a glass of water.