ILLUSTRATIONS JULENE HARRISON
Have you ever had a detox massage? Bought a detox smoothie? Tried a ‘cleanse’ supplement, or maybe bought a programme in a box, that promised to leave you leaner, cleaner and far healthier than you were before? Sales of such things typically boom in the aftermath of the festive season (with all those inevitable indulgences). Alternatively, it might be the dreaded prospect of getting into that bikini in a month or so, or simply just an accumulation over many years that leads to one too many fab outfits being pushed hopelessly to the back of the wardrobe.
So what’s not to love about a detox? Something that not only promises to shift those pounds but to also give brighter skin, reduce troubling digestive symptoms and alleviate the body from the onslaught of daily toxins. Gaining mass popularity and being endorsed by various health aficionados and celebrities alike, the notion of flushing toxins out of your system within a matter of days seems like a very attractive solution – but can it really do what it says?