Does Detox Tea Work? Is It Bad For You?

Detox teas infused with alcohol consumption have gained popularity as a contemporary method to eliminate toxins from the body. You might have noticed celebrities endorsing these teas, as seen in the renowned “Master Cleanse” diet.

Throughout history, individuals have sought ways to cleanse their bodies of toxins. Various “detox” methods have been employed, such as bloodletting, enemas, sweat lodges, fasting, and consuming detoxifying teas. Interestingly, these practices were even utilized as clinical treatments in the early 20th century.

The active ingredients in detox teas aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Recently, certain teas and other “detoxing” weight loss products have been discovered to contain hazardous drugs and undisclosed chemicals, posing potential risks to consumers.

Detox tea side effects

There are some detox teas that contain no different tea leaves from routine teas. Others contain additional ingredients that may be harmful to your health. Ingredients such as these may include:

• laxatives
• medications
• high levels of caffeine
• powerful herbs, like senna
• illegal chemicals, like ephedra

Detox teas contain ingredients that give you energy. Furthermore, these products may cause increased frequency in bowel movements, leading to a rushed and frequent need to visit the toilet. It is possible to lose a small amount of weight by emptying your colon and bladder frequently.

A detox tea’s active ingredients give you power. Your frequent trips to the toilet may also be caused by them. There is usually a percentage of fat loss when you empty your colon and bladder. In spite of this, you’re losing mostly water, not toxins. Weight loss this way isn’t safe or effective.

1. Diarrhea

Senna is a herbal laxative supplement that treats bowel irregularities. Generally, it is safe to use in small amounts for most people. It is not recommended to take senna or other laxatives in large amounts constantly. In detoxification teas, senna, and other laxatives are commonly found. Loose bowels can be triggered by them.

2. Abdominal discomfort, cramps, bloating, gas, and nausea

It is common for detoxification teas to cause stomach discomfort as well as discomfort. While taking detoxification teas, you may also experience cramps, bloating, gas, and nausea. In general, these signs and symptoms are caused by caffeine and laxatives, which put stress on the digestive system.

3. Electrolyte imbalance

More frequent bowel movements indicate less fluid in your body, resulting in dryness. Blood electrolyte levels can be lowered by dehydration. Your muscle mass requires electrolytes to function. Having an electrolyte imbalance can lead to muscle spasms as well as irregular heart rhythms, which are both very serious.

4. Effects of too much caffeine intake

Caffeine is commonly found in detox teas, as stated above. Dehydration, loose bowels, and other digestive issues can also result from this. The following are among them:

• nervousness
• restlessness
• irritation
• headache
• anxiety
• agitation
• ringing in the ears
• fast heart rate and breathing rate

5. Sleep disruption

Caffeine can also cause extreme sleep issues. Caffeine intake of about 400 milligrams is considered safe for healthy and balanced individuals, which is the same amount as four or five cups of coffee.

The amount of caffeine in detox teas may be much higher than suggested for a single day. Sleeping and staying asleep can be affected by this.

6. Drug interactions

Some detox teas contain natural herbs or ingredients that may interact with your prescriptions or over-the-counter medications. The diarrhea that you get after drinking the detoxification tea may also reduce the effectiveness of your medication since it is forced through your system without being absorbed.

It is a common concern with hormone contraception, which must be taken daily. The other ingredients in detox teas, such as grapefruit, may amplify the effects of any medications you’re taking.

Precautions

Despite green tea’s health benefits, detoxification teas haven’t been proven to help people lose weight. Aside from that, their ingredient lists aren’t overseen by the FDA. Therefore, a detoxification tea sold online or in a store could contain potentially hazardous ingredients.

The United States has reported cases of detoxification tea containing dangerous substances, including drugs, toxins, and other harmful materials.

A Japanese detoxification tea called Contaminant Discharged Tea was found to contain the antidepressant drug fluoxetine (Prozac) in 2014. There can be severe or even life-threatening side effects associated with taking this medication, particularly if it is taken with other drugs.