The Spicy Lemonade Diet involves drinking a homemade lemonade for approximately ten days. The lemonade is made with maple syrup, spring or distilled water, lemon juice and cayenne pepper, and is believed by proponents to detoxify the body and help to lose weight.
Also called the “Master Cleanse,” this diet was described by Stanley Burroughs in his 1976 book, but the popularity of the method has surged in recent years. The program became known as the Beyonce Diet when the famous singer announced she had lost an incredible amount of weight by drinking the lemon mixture.
The lemon drink is made by blending 10 ounces of distilled, purified or spring water with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or lime juice, a little bit of cayenne (depending on your taste buds) and B-grade maple syrup, preferably the organic kind. You drink at least four to six portions a day, although some participants have recommended drinking a lot more. It is best to make the lemonade fresh every day because the longer it stands, the more of its health benefits it can lose.
Some side effects you may experience during the first couple of days include tiredness, feeling moody and headaches. People who drink a lot of coffee have reported headaches, but these usually go away after the first few days. You should avoid any solid foods during the program, but there are herbal teas you can drink. Many people also begin the fast with a salt water flush.
It is important to drink a lot of water every day as this can help to flush out the toxins and make you feel better too. When it is time to finish the program, you break the fast first with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and drink only fruit juices at first, returning to normal solid foods slowly over a few days.
HealthyCuriosity.com does not recommend fasting as a healthy method for losing weight. Although you may lose a few pounds temporarily, you are likely to quickly re-gain those pounds – and more – when you resume eating solid foods. Fasting for days and weeks can cause your body to react as though you are starving. The natural result is that you store more fat, not less.
Always consult with your physician before making radical changes in your diet or exercise activities.