Detox drinks became a “thing” in 1976 when Stanley Burroughs revived his 1940s diet (the Master Cleanse) into his book The Master Cleanser.

His liquid diet (also known as the Lemonade Diet) consists of lemons, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper for 3 to 10 days. Thousands have sworn by it—including Beyoncé, Jared Leto, and Ashton Kutcher—but how healthy are detox drinks when you aren’t getting any protein, healthy fats, or other essential nutrients?

This article will answer that, plus give you 9 healthy alternatives.

In medicine, the concentration of toxins in the body that come from environmental sources like soil, air, water, dust, or food is referred to as the “body burden.” These toxins can result in endocrine disruption, neurological and reproductive effects, certain types of cancer, and cardiovascular disease (1).

Detox drinks are said to naturally remove toxins from the body, resulting in a boost in energy and of course, weight loss.

But, is this true? Or are they just a placebo effect?

The wrong detox drink can result in a dangerous spike (and then crash) in blood sugar levels. Which can be of particular concern for diabetics, leaving you feeling lethargic, irritable, and downright hungry.

It can also put your brain and body under unnecessary stress—from the lack of protein and fat to the obsessive “all or nothing” mindset it fuels.

However, the right detox drink can, in fact, improve energy, digestion, headaches, and inflammation, while aiding in weight loss, too (2).

This is due in large part to the overwhelming percentage of Americans (75%) who don’t get enough fruits and vegetables each day (3). When consuming detox drinks that are rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, you’re enhancing your body’s natural detoxification system (4).

In one survey sent out to 196 licensed naturopathic doctors, 92% of them reported that they do, in fact, use detoxification therapies in their practices.

An average of 28 patients per month were seen specifically for detox therapy, with patients being treated for the following:

• Environmental exposure (82%)
• General cleansing/preventative medicine (81%)
• Gastrointestinal disorders (80%)
• Autoimmune disease (76%)
• Inflammation (71%)
• Chronic fatigue (69%)
• Weight loss (65%)

The three main types of detox therapies used include cleansing foods, increased fruit and vegetable intake, and vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant supplementation (1).

In the survey mentioned above, naturopathic doctors reported that detoxification therapy lasted an average of 37 days, but can range from 3 to 365 days, depending on the individual.

However, more research is needed to determine the length of time it takes detox drinks to work.

Rather than spending a couple hundred dollars on a fancy detox juice bundle, there are 9 simple, at-home detox drinks that take only minutes to prepare.

Waking up after a “cheat” day of wine, cheese, and one-too-many sweets?

This Collagen Detox Smoothie is here to save the day.

It’s jam-packed with greens—spinach, lime, a green apple, and parsley—along with a healthy serving of omega-3s from chia seeds, 9 grams of protein from grass-fed collagen, anti-inflammatory ginger, and appetite-reducing lemon.

A serving or two of this detox smoothie will have you feeling less bloated, more energized, and reaping the benefits of better digestion.

Wake up to this Morning Bliss Detox Smoothie.

Here’s the breakdown of the fruits and veggies that make up this detox smoothie, and the benefits they provide...

• Green Apple: Rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, antioxidants, and flavonoids, green apples reduced the risk of certain types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, asthma, diabetes, and weight loss (5).
• Kiwi: Rich in vitamin C and fiber, kiwi supports heart health, digestive health, and immunity (6).
• Celery: Rich in vitamin C, beta carotene, and flavonoids, celery reduces glucose, blood lipids, and blood pressure, helping to strengthen the heart (7).
• Lemon: Rich in citric acid, vitamin C, and polyphenols (plant compounds), lemons alleviate fatigue, lower lipids, and anti-aging effects (8).
• Lime: Rich in vitamin C, limes boast antibacterial, anticancer, antidiabetic, antifungal, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-lipidemia, and antioxidant properties (9).
• Banana: Rich in fiber, vitamins C, B6, and A, and minerals like potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc, bananas protect the body against oxidative stress while reducing the risk of many chronic degenerative disorders (10, 11).
• Flax Seeds: Rich in fiber, flax seeds may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, and autoimmune and neurological disorders (12).

You can’t beat this Ginger Beet Detox Juice.

Beet juice has been shown to reduce blood pressure, lessen inflammation, prevent oxidative stress, restore balance in the brain, and preserve the relaxation and contraction of blood vessels (13).

Add ginger to the mix and you have quite the sucker punch.

Ginger is most known for its antinausea abilities, while also acting against inflammation, cancer, and cardiovascular disease (14).

This Leafy Detox Greens Smoothie may just be the freshest of them all. Loaded with cucumber, celery, spinach, basil, and lime, it boasts cleansing abilities by removing accumulated pockets of old waste and chemical toxins (15).

Needing to de-bloat after a weekend of fast food?

This Collagen Berry Detox Smoothie will do just that.

Brimming with kiwi, blackberries, blueberries, cucumber, spinach, lime, and grass-fed collagen, you’ll benefit from reduced cravings, improved metabolism, and gut-promoting collagen. Blackberries, in particular, increase the breakdown of fat while improving insulin sensitivity (16).

This Green Collagen Smoothie takes avocado, granny smith apples, kiwi, and cucumber to a whole new level. That, plus the added benefit of protein from the grass-fed collagen, will make your skin brighter, your bones stronger, and your hair thicker (17).

This Detoxifying Lemon Ginger Smoothie has all the things you need and nothing you don’t.

The ingredients, along with their benefits, include:

• Coconut Milk: Rich in MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides), coconuts help to improve cognitive function while also preventing Alzheimer's disease. In addition to this, coconut also acts as an antiviral and antimicrobial (18).
• Lemon: Rich in citric acid, vitamin C, and polyphenols (plant compounds), lemons alleviate fatigue, lower lipids, and anti-aging effects (8).
• Collagen Powder: This protein is known as the glue that holds the body together. It helps to strengthen bones, relieve achy joints, rejuvenate elasticity of the skin, and more.
• Chia Seeds: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, chia seeds are small but mighty—supporting digestion, promoting healthy skin, strengthening bones and muscles, and reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and more (19).
• Ginger: Known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea properties, ginger relieves pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and more (20).
• Peaches: Rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, this delicious summer fruit is ready to eat and ready to protect against free radicals in the body (21).
• Pineapple: Rich in fiber and bromelain, pineapple represents several health benefits including anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, monitoring nervous system function, and healing bowel movement (22).
• Mangos: Rich in potassium, fiber, and vitamins, mango has anti-inflammatory and intestinal health benefits (23).

With just three ingredients (lemon, olive oil, and water), this Lemon Olive Oil Drink packs a number of health benefits.

Many people are aware of the benefits of lemon—rich in vitamin C, helps fight off infections, acts as an antimicrobial—but the lemon peel is just as healthy, if not more (24).

The peels of citrus fruits contain special flavonoids that act as anti-cancer, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory, while also being cardioprotective and neuroprotective (25, 26).

Enter: Olive oil.

Olive oil features a treasure trove of health benefits. From cleansing the liver to improving lymphatic flow to lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, it’s a crucial part of a healthy diet (27, 28).

The wheatgrass juice touts important nutrients like chlorophyll, flavonoids, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Studies show that wheatgrass is effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, hematological diseases, diabetes, obesity, oxidative stress, and the side effects of chemotherapy (29, 30).

Called “the plant of immortality” by the Egyptians in the 16th century BC, aloe has been a pivotal ingredient in health, beauty, medicine, and skincare for centuries. Aloe’s anti-aging properties increase the production of collagen and elastin fibers, helping to renew skin elasticity and reduce wrinkles (31).

The grass-fed collagen restores lost collagen—restoring elasticity to your skin, thickening your hair, strengthening your bones, relieving achy joints, and more (32).

The cucumber nourishes the skin while soothing skin irritations and reducing swelling (15).

And lastly: fresh mint. In Ayurvedic medicine, mint is used to alleviate skin problems and headaches. Mint is also known to relieve digestive issues, prevent cancer development, act as an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, and more (33).

Detox juices—done right—can be a valuable asset to your wellness journey.

They’re an easy way to get your fruits and vegetables in while giving you the added benefit of improved energy and digestion, reduced headaches and inflammation, and weight loss.

Swap out your sugary orange juice, apple juice, and cranberry for any of these 9 nutrient-dense juices and smoothies to level up your immunity, youth, and overall health.