Detox Products After the Holidays: What Actually Helps
It's the best time of the year for fun, food and friends; however, after a few nights of charcuterie platters and overflowing drinks, socializing takes its toll on the body. Stomach bloat, heads pound and energy plummets, leaving you a little less jolly than at the start of the season.
How do you recover quickly and regain that holiday spirit? Many people reach for a recovery drink hangover product. Before you buy one, know what the evidence says.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, no hangover remedy has been scientifically proven to work, and only time cures a hangover.
What Is a Detox?
Your body is not built for regular overindulgence. For some, even one night of heavy eating or drinking brings on a reaction. Too much wine or rich food can leave you feeling sluggish the next day, with one or more of the following symptoms:
- Swelling in the face and stomach
- Mood changes
- Skin breakouts such as acne or rash
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Headaches
The good news is that your liver, kidneys and gut already remove waste and alcohol byproducts on their own. "Detox" and "cleanse" products are marketed to flush out toxins, but there is little evidence they do.
The NIH's National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says research on detox programs is limited and mostly low quality. A 2015 review found no convincing evidence that detox diets remove toxins or help with weight management.
The FDA and FTC have taken action against some detox and cleanse sellers for hidden ingredients, false claims that products treat serious diseases, and colon-cleansing devices marketed for unapproved uses.
Some cleanses can also cause harm. Laxatives can lead to diarrhea and dehydration, and drinking large amounts of fluid without eating can cause dangerous electrolyte imbalances.
Whatever you consider, talk with a clinician first, especially if you have diabetes, kidney disease or a digestive condition. Products marketed for specific symptoms, like a detox for gas, have not been shown to "detox" anything.
During recovery, choose health. Drink plenty of water, eat whole foods with fiber, limit alcohol and sugary or highly processed foods, and get extra sleep. These simple steps support your body's own systems.
Detoxify's Polisorb
Detoxify sells a product called Polisorb, a powder made from colloidal silicon dioxide. The company markets it as an "enterosorbent" that binds unwanted substances in the gut and passes out of the body without being absorbed.
We found no FDA approval of Polisorb as a treatment for any condition, and no independent, peer-reviewed studies confirming the company's claims of relief within minutes. Treat these claims with caution.
The company suggests mixing it with water an hour before or after a meal. If you have ongoing gas, cramps or changes in your stool, see a clinician rather than relying on an unproven product.
Don't let the post-party effects linger. Rest, fluids, food and time are what actually help your body recover. If you often feel unwell after drinking, it may be worth talking with a clinician about your alcohol use.
HP Thoughts: Detox products get a lot of attention, while ordinary foods often get overlooked. Some people even call common foods "unreliable for health maintenance". Go over our post and tell us what you think: Food And Nutrition Myths.
Sources
- "Detoxes" and "Cleanses": What You Need To Know, NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
- Hangovers, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
