The Master Cleanse, also called the Master Cleanser or the lemonade diet, is a short-term liquid fast that promises quick weight loss and claims to hit the "reset button" on healthier eating. Developed by self-taught alternative health practitioner Stanley Burroughs in the s, this cleanse was originally called the Master Cleanser, which was also the name of the book he published in According to "The Master Cleanser" book, a cleansing diet is a necessary component for treating any health ailment.

The Master Cleanse became wildly popular among those seeking to quickly lose weight and "detoxify" their bodies from chemicals and toxins in the process. However, while certain nutrients can help support the body's natural detoxifying methods, there is no scientific evidence to support detox diets as an effective long term strategy for weight management.

The cleanse involves drinking a lemon beverage with maple syrup and cayenne pepper for at least 10 days. In addition to the spicy lemonade drink, a saltwater solution and herbal laxative teas are part of the daily regimen. The Master Cleanse is really more of a fast than a diet. The Master Cleanse is an all-liquid fast.

The main focus of the diet is a homemade spicy lemonade drink that contains lemon juice , maple syrup, water, and a little cayenne pepper.

The diet is suggested for a minimum of 10 days and a maximum of 40 days. According to the book, people can repeat the Master Cleanse three to four times a year. For example, the book touts the benefits of lemons for their potassium. However, one banana contains about the same amount of potassium as all of the lemon juice consumed each day on the Master Cleanse.

Once the cleanse is over, a breaking fast protocol is recommended. On the first day after the cleanse, proponents suggest drinking orange juice. The second day involves more orange juice and possibly vegetable soup. On day three, vegetables, salads, and fruits are allowed.

Normal eating is usually resumed on the fourth day. The Master Cleanse recommends starting each day with a saltwater flush, then drinking 6 to 12 cups of the spicy lemonade mixture throughout the day, and ending the day by drinking a cup of a laxative, senna-based herbal tea. Like most fad diets, the Master Cleanse has a mix of positives and negatives.

Since the diet consists only of drinking a specially blended lemonade and saltwater, it promises fast weight loss. According to "The Master Cleanser," weight loss of 2 pounds per day is typical. However, since no other food is allowed on the plan, it will likely require a great deal of willpower to fight through hunger.

It also doesn't allow a person to listen to their internal hunger cues and can even encourage disordered eating habits especially in those people that are at increased risk. And, while you may quickly lose weight, you might just as quickly gain it back once the fast ends and regular eating habits are resumed.

Six glasses of the spicy lemonade drink provide around calories a day, resulting in a substantial, unsustainable, and unhealthy calorie deficit. The USDA Dietary Guidelines include recommendations and tips for a healthy, balanced diet , which should include a variety of vegetables, fruits, grains, lean meats, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, dairy, and nutritious oils.

As a short-term fast, the Master Cleanse can be an effective diet for quick weight loss. However, it is neither a sustainable weight loss solution nor does it promote a healthy eating lifestyle. The restrictive nature of this diet emphasizes deprivation instead of cultivating important skills such as healthy meal planning and preparation, which can lead to successful long-term weight loss. Use the following tool to calculate how many calories you should consume each day to hit your weight loss goals.

Like most liquid fasts, the Master Cleanse program is not supported by the mainstream medical or nutrition community. The total daily caloric intake from the lemonade concoction is roughly equivalent to the juice of three to six lemons per day, which includes some essential nutrients. Frequent bowel movements will likely result from this diet since they are believed to aid in the detoxification process.

However, evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of natural detoxification therapies and the use of herbal laxatives is limited. Most nutritionists and health professionals advise against prolonged fasting more than several days , particularly as a way to lose weight, due to the possible health risks.

And a dangerous side effect of rapid weight loss is the formation of gallstones. In addition, people on the Master Cleanse may experience lightheadedness, dizziness, and extreme hunger since they're not getting enough daily calories.

Loose stools and diarrhea are likely to result from the herbal laxative and daily saltwater flush. Colonics and enemas should be avoided while on the Master Cleanse since they may pose certain health risks on their own. Store any leftover syrup in the refrigerator in a tightly capped glass jar, minimizing the air space.

Syrup stored this way can keep for over a year. If you are planning a longer cleanse, you may need to purchase extra cayenne, salt or tea to complement your kit. It all depends on your lemonade consumption and number of days you are planning to undertake the Master Cleanse Lemonade a minimum of 10 is recommended. Click here to purchase any extra ingredients. Join the Maple Valley community and receive our monthly newsletter which includes promo offers, new recipes, product updates, industry news, and farm feature stories.

Your coupon will automatically display after you submit your email. Use the chart below to determine which kit is right for you. On the first day of easing in, begin to develop more awareness about the foods you choose and notice which are fresh and raw. Begin to focus on these types of food and eliminate all processed foods, meat, dairy, alcohol, caffeine, and sugar.

Choose organic whole foods. On Day 2, completely eliminate all processed foods, meat, dairy, alcohol, caffeine, and processed sugars from your meals. Instead, opt for fresh, organic fruits and fresh, organic vegetables. Eat as much of your food raw as possible.

Continue reading The Master Cleanser. Switch to a liquid diet to prepare your body and mind for the days ahead. If you have a juicer or blender, then make fresh vegetable and fruit smoothies and juices from organic produce.

You can also make light vegetable soups and broths for this day. In The Master Cleanser, author Stanley Burroughs cautions readers to break their fast with a day of consuming only orange juice. Use this same strategy for the last day of the easing-in period. Drink several glasses of fresh-squeezed, organic orange juice during the day. If you feel hungry, you can add a tablespoon or two of maple syrup to the juice. Also, drink plenty of water. At night, in preparation for starting the lemonade diet, take the laxative tea.

When you break a fast like the Master Cleanse, it is very important to slowly ease yourself back into your normal diet in order to avoid serious digestive problems. Day 1 Orange Juice Only: Drink several 8oz glasses of fresh-squeezed organic orange juice as desired during the day. Drink it slowly. The orange juice prepares the digestive system to properly digest and assimilate regular food. If there has been any digestive difficulty prior to and during the change over, extra water may be taken with the orange juice.

Day 2 Orange Juice, Vegetable Soup: Drink several 8oz glasses of fresh-squeezed organic orange juice during the day — with extra water if needed.

Some time during the afternoon, prepare an organic vegetable soup no canned soup as described below. Make enough for 2 meals. Have the soup for the evening meal using the broth mostly, although some of the vegetables may be eaten.

Organic whole grain rye wafers may be eaten sparingly with the soup, but no bread or crackers.