Did you know that you can use bentonite clay not only externally (to get rid of acne, oily skin, and dandruff), but also internally – for weight loss purposes?
Mix a little bit of clay with water, drink it and enjoy so many benefits for your digestion, skin, and detoxification. Sounds good, isn´t it? And one of the best benefits one could wait from consuming Bentonite clay is that it promotes weight loss!
Bentonite clay for weight loss
A side effect of introducing clay-detoxification elements to your diet may be weight loss.
Drinking clay mixed with water gives the feeling of a full stomach for longer, as well as sweeping out the toxins and heavy metals from the body.
A healthy gut is important when you’re trying to get rid of some kilos or to lose weight permanently. Consuming bentonite clay before meals with juice or water will fill you up, as the clay swells in your stomach, reducing hunger, so you potentially consume less food.
But are clinical studies confirming the safety of clay-detoxification diets and their effectiveness in weight loss?
Researchers studied [1] the effects of eating an alkaline diet and taking cleanse supplements (among others, bentonite clay, turmeric, etc.) on weight loss and cholesterol over 21 days. They found that this combination of diet and gut-cleansing lowered cholesterol by up to five points. The side effect was that the participants in the study lost an average of almost six pounds.
Why Bentonite clay, anyway?
Bentonite clay is made from volcanic ash, and the largest source of it in the U.S. is from Fort Benton in Wyoming – that is how this clay got its name.
You can eat it, drink, it, consume it in the form of supplements. You might be skeptical – why in the world you would want to eat or drink clay. Yes, it sounds weird, but contains over 70 trace minerals in it, including calcium, copper, and magnesium.
Another great property of bentonite clay is that when it is mixed with liquid, it produces an electrical charge that binds toxins, making them easier to get flushed from the body. This turns it into an effective remedy, which helps in removing heavy metals, chemicals, and impurities from the gut and digestive system.
Dosage and Drink Recipe
The easiest bentonite clay drink recipe for weight loss would be the following: simply add half a teaspoon of Bentonite clay to a glass of water, stir well, and drink immediately before clay sets back to the bottom of the glass.
If you are interested in something tastier, check out these 10 bentonite clay drink recipes for weight loss and gut cleansing.
How much bentonite clay to drink for weight loss? Even if you want to lose weight fast, take no more than 1 tsp. of bentonite clay per day, unless you’re under a doctor’s supervision.
Since bentonite clay absorbs liquids in the stomach, it is required that you drink 1 or 2 cups of water with each teaspoon of clay to prevent constipation and bowel obstruction.
Precautions and side effects
Using a detox diet to lose weight is not the healthiest way to get rid of unwanted kilos or pounds. Even if you are on a cleansing diet, you should still eat lean protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Make sure you are buying the product which is explicitly labeled as “Food Grade Bentonite Clay” on the packaging. Only this type of Bentonite clay is edible and can be safely used in bentonite clay detox drinks.
Most of the detoxification diets last around 7-10, but sometimes people get way too far with “flushing their guts from toxins”.
You need to remember, that clay is very binding, so it could cause constipation and even remove useful things from the body if you keep drinking it regularly on a constant basis.
The Food Standards Agency (UK) has warned that some products bought from online retailers have been found to contain arsenic, exposure to which could lead to increased risk of lung, skin and bladder cancer. Therefore, pay special attention to the quality of bentonite clay you are going to consume.
Disclaimer: The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice; the content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Talk to your doctor to determine if taking bentonite clay is safe for you.
[1] Balliett M, Burke JR. Changes in anthropometric measurements, body composition, blood pressure, lipid profile, and testosterone in patients participating in a low-energy dietary intervention. J Chiropr Med. 2013 Mar;12(1):3-14. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2012.11.003.
