FAMOUS CELEBRITY DETOX ROUTINES

1. GWENYTH PALTROW

The Gwenyth Paltrow Detox Diet

A heavy plant- based diet with very little meat. Mostly a combination of fruit- based smoothies, coconut water, carrot and ginger salad and generous dose of pumpkin and sunflower seeds. Also, almost every meal comes out of a blender. Dieters are encouraged to practise deep breathing and yoga.

Verdict This would only work if you resign yourself to the thought of not cooking, steaming, heating or baking anything for the next 12 weeks. While a week on this detox cycle may be advisable, and even leave you feeling lighter and with supermodel skin, extended use will definitely lead to weakness and loss of muscle tone ( which happens when you lose weight rapidly). The emphasis on laxatives and artificial detox powders will also burn a hole in your pocket. If you do want to experiment with this, ensure you do so in moderation.

2. OPRAH WINFREY

Quantum Wellness Diet/ Oprah’s 21- day Detox.

Although conceptualised by former model Kathy Freeson, this diet was elevated to the celebrity Hall of Fame by the serial dieter and talk- show czarina Oprah Winfrey. Winfrey has always battled with her weight and in 2009 went on the Quantum Wellness programme for a holistic detox. The plan involves a vegan diet and concentrates on wellness through self work, meditation, exercise and visualisation. Beyond the spiritual lesson, there are some serious diet restrictions as well— no dairy, no caffeine, no meat, no alcohol, no sugar or gluten.

Verdict Diets aren’t meant to be fun. This one tries very hard to entice with its peripheral offering of inner peace, but the mainstay still is denial. It is however a more holistic way to detox than just surviving on juice or soup, since the diet includes soy as a source of protein.

3. BEYONCE KNOWLES

The Master Cleanse

Also known as the Mayple Syrup Diet. A ten- day routine that involves drinking only six to 10 glasses of a special type of lemonade made up of water, lemon juice, mayple syrup and cayenne pepper. Also used famously by British supermodel Naomi Campbel.

Verdict There are better ways to torture yourself. The singer- songwriter undertook this diet to shed a few quick pounds before Dreamgirls and while she managed to look svelete as ever, this prolonged diet cycle may leave you hungry, weak and completely dissatisfied. The problem lies with the too- frequent and radical flushing of the system, that may cause an electrolyte imbalance in the body and also rid you of essential nutrients.