A syrup cleanse is a dietary method of detoxifying the body by consuming a tonic for a specified period, exclusive of all other food and drink. The syrup cleanse, most commonly referred to as The Master Cleanse, consists of a combination of maple syrup, lemon juice, and cayenne pepper, suspended in water. The syrup cleanse is also known by a few other names, including the maple syrup cleanse and the lemon syrup cleanse.

The syrup cleanse is the creation of Stanley Burroughs and its use dates back to the 1940s. The syrup cleanse gained increasing popularity when Burroughs’ book, Healing for the Age of Enlightenment was released in the late 1970s. The book outlined the syrup cleanse as an adjunct therapy to other components of a detoxification program, and included elements of color therapy and reflexology. Later, another book by Burroughs titled, The Master Cleanser, was solely dedicated to the health-giving benefits of the syrup cleanse. In 2005, the book, Lose Weight, Have More Energy and Be Happier in 10 Days, by Peter Glickman, gave new life to the syrup cleanse.

Burroughs has made several claims about the syrup cleanse beyond aiding in the removal of environmental toxins from the body. For instance, he has also touted the syrup cleanse as a means to combat addiction to junk food, tobacco, and alcohol. Burroughs also believes that the syrup cleanse can cure ulcers, as well as other diseases. In fact, he has described the syrup cleanse as a panacea, being capable of curing ‘every kind of disease.’ Of course, the syrup cleanse is also designed to facilitate weight loss.

While there is little, if any, scientific evidence to substantiate these claims, many proponents of the syrup cleanse report satisfactory results. For instance, some syrup cleanse users claim that the liquid diet clears up acne better than other cleanses. In terms of shedding pounds, many report rapid and significant weight loss. In fact, singer and actress Beyoncé used the syrup cleanse to lose more than 20 pounds (9.072 kilograms) in two weeks in preparation for her role in the movie, Dreamgirls.

Critics of the syrup cleanse express concern over the lack of nutrients and calories for the body and brain to function at full capacity. Others say that while the cleanse may indeed expel toxins from elimination organs, it also removes beneficial bacteria from the gut, leading to an imbalance of intestinal flora. Common side effects reported by those who partake of the syrup cleanse are headaches and irritation of the bowels.

Generally speaking, the syrup cleanse is not highly recommended by the medical community at large. Aside from the potential risks cited above, many clinicians feel that a drastic detoxification diet is simply unnecessary and not worth the associated risks. In addition, there is a good deal of evidence that points to the fact that any weight loss experienced is usually gained back once the syrup cleanse is discontinued.