Lemon & Cayenne Pepper Diet – is the Master Cleanse Safe for Weight Loss?

Lemon and cayenne pepper are commonly used together to prepare a detoxifying drink that is said to restore digestive health and cleanse the colon.

The lemon juice and cayenne extract diet is sometimes referred to as the “Master Cleanse” program. Participants consume only lemonade with chili powder for up to 10 days as part of a weight loss fast.

Following this detox diet is purported to help the body reset and eliminate accumulations of toxins that build up over time. It is commonly used to kick-start a weight loss regimen and may yield short-term results.

The diet has become popular with celebrities like Beyonce and Jared Leto, who used the plan to help them slim down before major movie roles. While participants will see their weight go down on the scale when following this diet, it is not recommended for long-term weight management.

There are critics of the internal cleanse program who say that it is unsafe and unnecessary. However, proponents claim that it helps them feel better, more energized and makes it easier to adopt healthy lifestyle changes.

Capsaicin

Pepper Extract

Joints

Appetite Control

Vitality

How It Works:

• Supports healthy digestion & blood flow
• Promotes joint function & pain relief
• Promotes appetite control & weight loss

Dosage:

Between 1000 - 2000 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Lemon and Cayenne Pepper Detox Diet

The Master Cleanse is a diet plan in which the total daily caloric intake comes from a lemonade made with water, maple syrup, lemon and cayenne pepper powder.

This detoxification plan is intended to be followed for 10 days, but may people perform shorter 3-day cleanses.

The program is essentially a fast wherein all solid foods are avoided. This is said to give the digestive system a chance to rest and reset.

Lemon is used to purify the gastrointestinal tract, support liver and kidney function and promote diuresis. Cayenne is used to promote blow flow throughout the body and to stimulate digestive function and bowel movements.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, lemons improve hydration, prevent oxidative damage and inhibit the formation of kidney stones.

Cayenne peppers contain capsaicin; a nitrogen-based alkaloid that is believed to influence a wide range of biological activities in humans.

Some of the health benefits associated with cayenne extract include alleviating pain, improving digestion, stimulating circulation and helping to resist infections.

Purported Health Benefits of Cleanses

Some of the additional purported benefits of the lemon and cayenne cleanse include:

• Eliminate crystallized salt in joints
• Promote vascular health and endothelial function
• Restore normal insulin sensitivity and blood sugar regulation
• Prevent over-eating and restore normal appetite control
• Cleanse the blood, organs and glands
• Enhance activation of the parasympathetic nervous system
• Promote healthy blood lipid levels
• Reduce bloating and inflammation
• Support a healthy body weight and promote fat loss
• Stimulate the metabolism
• Improves skin health, elasticity and appearance
• Balances pH levels in the body
• Boosts immune function
• Restores normal energy levels, mood and mental clarity
• Supports liver and kidney function
• Reduce the toxin-load of the body

While the practice of fasting is associated with a number of health benefits, there have not been any research studies conducted to specifically address the effects of the lemon and cayenne diet.

More research is needed to determine whether it works for the touted health benefits. While there are anecdotal reports of efficacy, user reviews are not a reliable source of evidence.

Critics claim that following a lemon and cayenne detox program could be dangerous for certain individuals. Not everyone can safely participate in a low-calorie diet without experiencing negative reactions.

There is also a concern that this cleanse could cause nutrient depletion or electrolyte imbalance. It may interfere with treatments for certain diseases or with the function of certain prescription medications.

Katherine Zeratsky, a registered dietitian at the Mayo Clinic, suggests that the body does not need cleanse or detox diets in order to perform normal detoxification processes. Our liver and kidneys process and eliminate toxins on an on-going basis, irrespective of what diet is being followed.

Proponents argue that even though detoxification is a natural process, the purpose of the cleanse is to take some of the strain off of these systems, so they have a chance to catch up.

Furthermore, different people have different toxin loads in their body depending on their diet and environmental exposure. This diet can support the eradication of accumulated toxins and improve feelings of well-being.

How to Prepare Lemon and Cayenne Recipes

To make a lemon and cayenne detox drink, combine organic maple syrup, purified water, fresh squeezed lemon juice and cayenne pepper powder together.

There are no set amounts used in this recipe. Users can change the amounts of these ingredients depending on their personal taste preferences.

Some people prefer to take a highly-concentrated lemon juice and cayenne pepper shot, chased with purified water, instead of drinking the lemonade.

On the Master Cleanse, you can drink the lemonade beverage and purified water as often as you like. No solid foods are taken during this cleanse.

The lemon and cayenne pepper diet is purported to be an intense detoxification program that can interfere with day-to-day activities. Many people schedule time off work to perform this 10-day detox program.

You should discuss the use of a lemon and cayenne pepper detox diet with your doctor before beginning. This diet may not be safe for everyone, including people diagnosed with certain health conditions or those taking prescription medications.

Health Benefits of Lemon

Lemon contains various phytonutrients (plant chemicals), vitamins, minerals and flavonoids that are being studied for potential health benefits.

Lemon juice is a rich source of polysaccharides and polyphenols.

Polysaccharides include complex carbohydrates like starch, glycogen and cellulose. They are made up of long chains of sugar molecules.

Polysaccharides are noted for their antioxidant effects and may influence blood pressure, immune function and blood-glucose regulation.

Lemons contain several polysaccharides including pectin, galacturonan, cellulose, glucan, xylan, and arabinan. [1]

Lemon extract is also a source of the following flavonoids: diosmin, eriodictyol, hesperidin, neohesperidoside, naringenin, eriocitrin, neodiosmin, rutinoside, chrysoeriol, isorhamnetin, limocitrin, limocitrol, isolimocitrol and others. [1]

According to an article in the Plant Foods for Human Nutrition journal, “Many flavonoids are shown to have antioxidative activity, free-radical scavenging capacity, coronary heart disease prevention, and anticancer activity, while some flavonoids exhibit potential for anti-human immunodeficiency virus functions.” [2]

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (NMCD) states that lemons have been used in traditional medicine for the common cold, flu, curvy and tinnitus (ear ringing).

Lemons are also used as an anti-inflammatory, a digestive aid, a diuretic, to support vascular health and to prevent the formation of calcium-based kidney stones (nephrolithiasis).

Uses of Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is included in this detox program because it stimulates circulation, acts as a diuretic and supports digestive function. It can also by stimulating bowel movements.

Cayenne extract has been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years and is associated with many different physiological effects

Like all chili peppers, cayenne contains the phytochemical capsaicin which has been shown to bind to TRPV receptors that are located throughout the body.

Many of the positive effects of eating cayenne peppers are linked to activation of TRPV1 receptors. This mechanism is not yet well understood, but capsaicin is believed to:

• Prevent gastric ulcers by increasing mucus secretion and mucosal blood flow;
• Alleviate pain caused by diabetic neuropathy (nerve dysfunction), surgery and arthritis;
• Protect erythrocytes (red blood cells) from oxidative damage and support membrane function;
• Increase intestinal absorption of micronutrients;
• Inhibit the formation of cholesterol gallstones; [3]

Capsaicin has also been shown to demonstrate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It is being researched for potential anti-cancer effects, but results are too preliminary to determine whether it can influence cancer risk in humans.

According to a 2016 Korean research review, capsaicin has been shown to exhibit “analgesic, anti-obesity, anti-pruritic, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-cancer, antioxidant, and neuroprotective functions.” [4]

NMCD states that capsaicin-containing peppers are used in natural medicine practices for:

• Hyperlipidemia
• Excessive Blood Clotting
• Poor Circulation
• Heart Disease
• Dyspepsia (Indigestion)
• Heartburn
• Flatulence
• Stomach Cramping
• Diarrhea
• Colic
• Alcoholism
• Seasickness
• Fever
• Malaria

The FDA has not approved cayenne as a drug for the prevention or treatment of any of these medical conditions. More research is needed to evaluate therapeutic efficacy.

Applied topically, capsaicin creams are used to relieve pain from shingles, RA (rheumatoid arthritis), osteoarthritis and back injury. Cayenne is also used topically for fibromyalgia, HIV-associated neuropathy and a skin condition called prurigo nodularis.

Lemon and Cayenne Side Effects

Both lemon and cayenne are considered to be Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) food items according to the US Food and Drug Administration.

This means they are safe to consume and do not generally cause serious side effects when taken appropriately.

However, the practice of fasting or following a lemon and cayenne pepper detox program may not be safe for everyone. It is important to check with a doctor before starting this diet regimen to determine whether it is appropriate for you.

In some users, capsaicin from chili peppers has caused stomach discomfort, gas, bloating, nausea, belching, sweating, facial flushing and/or diarrhea.

NMCD states that very high amounts of capsaicin might cause liver and/or kidney damage. This spice may also cause contact dermatitis and allergic reactions in some users.

Some people find that the pungent taste of cayenne powder is difficult to tolerate. Many experience gastrointestinal side effects when they eat spicy foods, including heartburn and abdominal pain

If you want to experience the purported benefits of the lemon and cayenne pepper cleanse, but cannot tolerate hot spices, use of an enterically-coated cayenne extract supplement may be a better option.

These products are designed to protect sensitive stomachs from the irritating effects of capsaicin. The supplement can be taken along with lemonade as part of the detox diet.

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