Detox vs. Cleanse – Their Differences and Benefits (Infographic)

Chances are you’ve heard people say they’re going on a “detox” or trying out a new “cleanse.” Over the past few years, those terms have become buzzwords in the health community. There are detoxing foods, detoxing drinks and detoxing diet plans. Likewise, there are cleansing foods, cleansing drinks and cleansing diet plans. People are detoxing and cleansing to lose weight, boost their energy and simply recharge their health. But with so many people using the words “detox” and “cleanse” interchangeably, what’s the difference?

While it may seem that detoxes and cleanses are the same (because it’s confusing), they’re actually different. For an overview of their differences, read the following “Detox vs. Cleanse” infographic (article continues below).

If you are showing signs of toxicity, you may benefit from a cleanse or detox. If you’re thinking of trying one, contact a doctor or nutritional specialist who can help design a program that’s unique to your symptoms and lifestyle.

Cleansing and Detoxing Doesn’t Mean You Have To Starve Yourself

If you’ve ever heard anyone talk about their detox or cleanse plan, they may have talked about eliminating food completely. Many people believe in order to detox or cleanse their body then they have to starve themselves. While there are some detoxes and cleanses that limit a person’s diet to simply liquid, this isn’t how all detoxes and cleanses are done.

In fact, some people argue against a fasting or only-liquid cleanse/detox plan because it could cause health issues such as fatigue, headaches, irritability and vitamin deficiencies.

So What Can You Eat?

Cleanse

As mentioned in the infographic above, the point of a cleanse is to clean out the digestive tract. To do this you will need to make diet changes. This means you will have to eliminate all food allergens, such as gluten, soy and dairy. You will also need to avoid processed foods, sugars, caffeine and alcohol. Instead, stick to organic, whole foods.

Detox

When you detox you will probably want to eliminate meat and definitely avoid processed foods. Instead, replace those foods with fresh fruits and vegetables. The following infographic highlights 11 detoxing foods and their benefits.

Again, if you’re  seriously considering a detox or cleanse then talk to a specialist for help creating a healthy plan.