“There’s no magic” when it comes to gut health, Dr. Janice Fields, a Michigan gastroenterologist, told The Root. Still, detox teas, sea moss and magnesium supplements circulate through TikTok feeds, group chats and neighborhood spaces in Black communities, marketed as quick fixes for everything from bloating and weight gain to low energy. Before you spend your money on a “miracle cleanse,” consider what these products actually do.
On an October 13 “Health Matters” podcast, Mayo Clinic experts tackled gut-health myths, including detox and parasite cleanses. The Root went straight to Fields about what detox teas and similar products actually deliver and whether they’re worth the investment.
The Promise vs. Reality
Here’s the truth: “There is no product that will remove toxins from the body,” Fields said. Marketing claims often go further than relief from gastrointestinal symptoms, promising everything from mental clarity to overall wellness. Some products even suggest they can rid the body of harmful bacteria while restoring the good bacteria your gut needs. But marketing claims don’t prove improved digestive health. Some just trigger diarrhea.
“If it sends you to the bathroom, makes you have a bowel movement, it’s doing just that,” Fields explained. The waste was already there. It’s been liquefied. “It’s pulling out mostly water,” she added. That waste was already in your gut, and the cleanse isn’t reaching into your cells to extract hidden toxins. The stool contains very little that wouldn’t have come out naturally.
A Cleanse May Be a Laxative in Expensive Packaging
One market report projects overall U.S. digestive-supplement sales will exceed $4 billion this year. Before you pay a premium for a detox product, Fields suggests reading the label. Some pricey cleanses contain common laxatives like senna that you can find at a drugstore for a fraction of the cost.
Relieving constipation isn’t the issue. Fields’s real concern is regular use of these products based on the false belief that they remove toxins. Relying on stimulant laxatives can actually make it harder to have bowel movements naturally. If constipation persists, she recommends talking with a medical professional about what’s causing it and exploring your options for relief.
Can You Reset Your Microbiome?
Fields explained that gut bacteria are dynamic and can change with antibiotics and other medications, illness, where you live, and hormonal shifts as you age. But scientists aren’t clear on what those changes really mean. Fields noted that tests don’t count every bacterial species in your gut or show that an over-the-counter cleanse has given it a beneficial “reset.”
What You Can Do Instead
If you’re looking for a gut reset, start by identifying the actual problem. If it’s constipation, Fields suggests looking at the fiber in foods you already eat. An apple has more fiber than an orange, for example. Chia seeds, flaxseed and psyllium husk are other solid options. Add fiber gradually. Extra gas is normal at first, and you may tolerate some foods better than others.
Look beyond food, too. Fields noted that alcohol can contribute to bloating or loose stools. She also emphasized listening to your body while prioritizing hydration, exercise and rest.
Don’t use a cleanse to dismiss a new or persistent symptom. Any blood in the stool deserves a conversation with a medical professional. Unexplained weight loss, severe pain with fever or an abrupt change in bowel habits that doesn’t resolve also warrant medical attention.
A cleanse may make you poop, but as Fields said, “the science is still ongoing.” If you’re reaching for a fix because your gut feels off, it may be better to skip the purchase and find out what’s actually going on.
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