Are Pricey Cleanse Diets Worth It?

Cleanses are all the rage, from Gwyneth Paltrow's expensive program ($425) to elimination diets promising to rid toxins by limiting one's laundry list of food (dairy, sugar, alcohol, caffeine, gluten, soy, and peanuts).

NPR's The Salt talked with medical expert Ranit Mishori who weighed in on the topic. "The body has its own amazing detoxification systems: the liver and the kidneys," she said. Furthermore, Boston dietitian Maria Adams explained, "The body is constantly filtering the toxins in alcohol, food, and medicines, not storing them."

So you might not need that pricey speciality program, as the body appears perfectly able of eliminating toxins on its own. In the long run, healthy eating, plenty of water, and exercise will make you feel better. That's right, mind over matter.

The Daily Byte is a regular column dedicated to covering interesting food news and trends across the country. Click here for previous columns.