Beyonce lost her curvaceous figure while losing 20 pounds for her role in “Dreamgirls.” She followed the detoxification diet called “The Master Cleanse Diet.” Her diet to slim down during filming consisted of glasses of water with a little lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper mixed in. Most of the weight came right back on after she resumed her regular eating.

Part two of our March “100 Percent Fad Free” series focuses on detoxification or cleansing diets like the Master Cleanse. The usefulness of these diets is often debated by nutrition professionals.

According to the Mayo Clinic Web site, detox diets are based on the idea that harmful substances in some foods we eat build up in the body over time. This residue, some say, causes health problems such as headaches, nausea, fatigue and other diseases. Many of these diets begin with fasting and later consist of raw fruits and vegetables, juice and water. Detox diets typically range from seven to 10 days.

“Your body doesn’t hang on to toxins,” said Ruth MacDonald, professor and chairwoman of the food science and human nutrition department.

Certain bacteria live in the digestive tract, but this bacterium is necessary for proper digestion of food. If substances that should not be in the body make it in through the food supply, they will be cleaned out through normal processes. Judy Trumpy, registered dietitian at Thielen Student Health Center, said the liver, kidneys, blood supply and bile rid the body of toxic substances.

So why would someone be interested in eating next to nothing for days? Mikela Licona, holistic health practitioner and hypnosis therapist at HealthWise Resources, 327 6th St., said mental and physical health can be improved through cleansing diets.

“Everybody has toxic build-up from air pollution, pesticides in food or from poor or too little water,” Licona said. “Detox diets help the brain and intelligence because you become more focused.”

Trumpy said the main reason she believes cleansing diets have become more popular, besides celebrity exposure, is the spiritual aspect.

“There aren’t really any nutritionally beneficial aspects of these diets, but I think some people feel more in-touch with their spiritual sides after trying a detox diet,” Trumpy said. “Many religions involve periods of fasting.”

Naturally, weight loss occurs during the course of these diets because so few calories are consumed. Similar to how Beyonce’s weight returned, many cleansing diets do not produce lasting weight loss, Trumpy said.

“Weight loss comes back on once you re-feed,” Trumpy said. “The body will lose water, muscle, bone and lastly fat. Evolution has made humans hold on to fat longer so they can survive during rough times.”

MacDonald said young, active people should not try detox diets because they are too low in calories. They don’t provide enough fuel for strenuous workouts.

Licona, who has enjoyed trying detox diets in the past, said that the definition of detox diets can vary depending on whom you ask.

“There are some people who say detox means eating no calories and only drinking water. Only really experienced detoxers should try this. You need to build yourself up to that,” Licona said. “There is also the whole foods cleanse, which includes vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.”

MacDonald and Trumpy agree that a diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains will provide an optimum environment for digestive tract functionality. Fiber, which is high in these foods, will be sufficient to keep your digestive tract cleared out and keep you regular.

A balanced diet filled with plenty of produce is better than a detox diet because the body will receive more nutrients and the metabolism will stay moving, MacDonald said. If calorie intake is too low, the body will believe it is starving and attempt to hold onto as many calories as possible.