Consumer interest in “detox” drinks and pricey juices has skyrocketed in recent years. The “master cleanse” version has you forego food for days at a time in place of water, lemon juice, cayenne and honey or agave syrup. The goal is all around better health, including slimming down and boosting energy.

But is cleansing safe? What toxins does it get rid of? Do the positive results last just a few days? Are there negative results that last longer?

Guest:

Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, Obesity M.D., Medical Director, Bariatric Medical Institute in Ottawa; Author of forthcoming “The Diet Fix: Why Everything You've Been Taught About Dieting is Wrong and How to Fix It,” Random House Crown Harmony, March 2014