How Do Liquid Diets Work?

Types of Liquid Diets

A liquid diet is where the dieter only consumes liquid for their means of nutrition and energy. There are different types and variations regarding liquid diets. Many turn toward nutritional shakes as their choice of a liquid diet. Nutritional shakes are meant to supplement low fat meals but many use them as their sole source of food. Providing over 100% of the daily recommended allowance of vitamins and minerals, nutritional shakes are hearty and easily allow one to fill one up so they are not tempted to eat additional food and therefore they end up losing weight. Fruit juice liquid diets can be a healthy way for people to lose weight due to the fact of the juice contains enough sugar to generate energy and enough antioxidants to provide nourishment to the body. Liquid fasts that include lemons, maple syrup and cayenne pepper are a popular diet that many use to be able to drop several pounds within just a few days, this is sometimes referred to as a detox and should be used only under a doctor's supervision.

Flushing Out Toxins and Water

When the body relies off of liquid nutrition alone, many changes take place. One of the most prevalent changes is that the stomach begins to shrink slightly and begins getting used to having a minimal amount of food in it; this is beneficial to the dieter as it will require less food to be eaten in order for the dieter to feel hungry. When someone is on a liquid diet the liquid acts as a diuretic as well as a mild laxative and begins to flush out unwanted toxins that have accumulated in the digestive system. The body is forced to eliminate waste regularly when the body is forced on to a liquid diet, this flushes out extra water weight that has accumulated throughout the body and can actually show a sudden drop in weight, which is an added benefit that dieters like about being in a liquid diet.

Associated Risks

Like many diets there are certain risks involved in losing weight, especially involving liquid diets. Once the body begins to get used to liquid diets, it is difficult for it to go back to accepting solid foods right away and caution should be implemented so that the digestive track does not go into a state of shock. A great deal of nutrients are lost when one participates in a liquid diet. The body is stripped of solid foods which contain valuable vitamins and nutrition that is needed for maximum performance. Malnutrition can easily occur with liquid diets if care is not instituted. Many times when the body is on a liquid diet it slips into starvation mode. The body then begins to use itself for energy but the energy cannot be replenished completely on a liquid diet because there is a lack of furl entering the body from solid food. Organ failure and damage to the eyes and skin are long term side effects of liquid diets that last over a few weeks. Liquid diets are not recommended by nutritionists and physicians, as low fat diets combined with exercise are the preferred method for humans to lose weight safely and efficiently.