Is a Kidney Detox Tea the Cure to Kidney Disease?

This article was written by dietetic student Myesha Rolle & reviewed by Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG.

Kidney detox tea has become very popular in recent years. With the number of “cleanses” floating around social media, the interest in them has increased even more. So what’s the deal with kidney detox tea? Are they really as healthy as everyone thinks? And if so, can their “cleansing powers” help detox people with kidney disease? First, let’s talk about what a detox tea really is.

What is a Kidney Detox Tea?

picture of dried and fresh tea leaves

Detox teas or “cleanses” are beverages that are consumed alone or as part of a short-term diet plan. These plans claim to promote health by removing toxins from your body and helping you lose weight.(1) There are a ton of detox teas and diets out there, and each one suggests that they hold the key to optimal toxin removal. So what does being on one of these diets actually involve? Well there are a wide range of detox methods and they can include:

  • Fasting (full starvation or juice/tea fasts)
  • Eating only certain “cleansing foods”
  • Taking dietary supplements
  • Using enemas, laxatives, or diuretics
  • Using a sauna

Martha’s Vineyard Detox Diet

A popular detox diet that includes detox teas within their plan is the Martha’s Vineyard Detox Diet. In this 21 day program, you must go on a liquid-only diet consisting of vegetable juice and soup, herbal tea, supplements that act as laxatives, cocktails, and digestive enzymes. This plan also requires the use of organic coffee enemas or traditional water enemas. Martha’s Vineyard Detox Diet claims that by completing their program you will lose 21 pounds in 21 days, release toxins from your body, and increase your strength.(1)

Master Cleanser Lemon Detox Tea

Not all detox programs will allow you to eat other foods in addition to detox teas. An example of this is one of the more common standalone detox teas – “the master cleanser/lemon detox tea.” This diet plan is a 10 day program that consists of replacing all meals with a detox tea containing lemon juice, purified water, cayenne pepper and tree syrup. In this program, you can also drink sea salt water and a mild laxative herbal tea. According to “the master cleanser,” after 10 days of their detox you will have eliminated toxins from your body, lost weight, and developed glowing skin, shiny hair and strong nails.(1)

What these programs won’t tell you is that their regimens are severely lacking in the precious nutrients your body needs. They are also dangerous because they often cause diarrhea which leads to even more nutrient loss and is what contributes to the weight loss seen in those who enroll in these detox tea programs.

So what is the truth? Are detox teas and diets really the toxin elimination problem-solvers they claim to be?

Does Kidney Detox Tea Actually Work?

It turns out that very few studies have been conducted on detox teas or detox diets in humans. Of those studies, many were not even credible.  They were not peer reviewed, had a flawed study design, or small sample size. Reviews of the evidence have found that there is no clinical research to support claims that these diets eliminate toxins or help with weight management. And if short-term weight loss is achieved, it is not sustainable in the long run.(2)

So we know that the evidence supporting the effectiveness of detox diets is lacking, but are they even necessary to begin with? The answer to that question can be found in our liver and kidneys.

The Liver and Kidneys: Our Body’s Detox Machines

The body already has a natural detoxification system that involves the liver and kidneys. These vital organs transform toxins, and remove waste products and excess fluid from the body.

The Liver

The liver’s role in all of this is to break down harmful substances in the body. The waste products that remain enter the bile and are carried away to the intestine, ultimately leaving the body in our feces.(3)

The Kidneys

Some waste products enter the blood and travel to the kidneys, where they are filtered. Any water, minerals, and nutrients that the body needs are returned to the blood and any waste that is not needed or can be harmful leaves the body in our urine.(4)

Picture of kidneys and liver with title "the only safe detox diet"

Detox Teas and Kidney Disease

At this point, you may be thinking “But if I have kidney disease, don’t I need detox teas to help give my kidneys a little detoxification boost?” No, you don’t. In fact, drinking these teas or going on a detox diet if you have kidney disease can worsen kidney problems, not improve them.

The Dangers of Detox Diets

There are a number of health risks of detox diets:

  • The extreme energy restriction involved with these diets could lead to vitamin deficiencies, electrolyte imbalances, and a slowed metabolism. A slow metabolism can make it more difficult to maintain a healthy weight in the future (2)
  • The detox diet and supplement industry is not very regulated, which makes it difficult to verify their claims or check to see if the ingredients match the attached labels1. The FDA and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have reprimanded a number of detox diet companies for selling products containing illegal and/or harmful ingredients, and marketing these products with false claims of treating serious diseases (like chronic kidney disease) (2)
  • You may run the risk of overdosing on herbal/nutrient supplements and water, which can be especially dangerous in kidney disease. If your kidneys are not working as well as they should, the body cannot remove waste and fluids as effectively (1)
  • There is also the chance that you may overdose on laxatives and diuretics, leading to dehydration. This is highly problematic for people with kidney disease because dehydration can cause long-term damage to the kidneys. Not only does water help remove wastes from the blood, it plays an important role in keeping your blood vessels open so the nutrients in the blood can be delivered to your kidneys (5)
  • Many detox teas or diet plans are high in potassium or a compound called oxalate. Drinking large amounts of these teas when you have kidney disease, or a history of kidney stones, could cause these substances to build up to harmful levels. (2) In fact, there have been reports of healthy people causing kidney damage with “smoothie cleanses” and juicing. (6)(7) Of course, tea, fruits and veggies are good for us!  The problem comes with eating or drinking very large amounts of something outside of a well-balanced meal plan.

To Detox or Not To Detox?

In the end, the risks associated with drinking detox teas or going on a detox diet far outweigh any of their proposed benefits – especially if you have kidney disease. At best, detox diets are not effective. Worst case scenario, they can permanently damage your kidneys or other organs.

If you really want to help manage your kidney disease with kidney-friendly foods, ditch the detox teas and focus on eating healthy foods (7):

  • Foods low in sodium
  • Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables
  • More plant proteins
  • Foods without phosphorus additives

If you need help putting together and preparing your kidney healthy meals, there are a ton of recipes here to give you the kick start you need!

Author

  • Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, FAND, FNKF

    Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, FNKF, FAND is a nationally recognized kidney stone expert and dietitian with over 12 years of experience. She is the Founder & CEO of Melanie Betz Nutrition, LLC & The Kidney Dietitian blog that and has helped thousands of people prevent kidney stones with food. As a leader in the field, she has published her research and speaks at numerous local, state and national professional conferences about kidney nutrition. She also holds an elected or appointed position in the National Kidney Foundation, Renal Practice Group, American Kidney Fund and the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois. More about Melanie & The Kidney Dietitian.

    View all posts

15 thoughts on “Is a Kidney Detox Tea the Cure to Kidney Disease?”

  1. I appreciate the information you provide us. I’ve been able to improve my level to 2 from almost 5 by changing medications and diet. I do have a good official but not up to speed on preventative measures so I’m constantly searching for evidence based research and information. The only thing I find irritating, for which I know you have no control, is when reading this article on the pitfalls of the untested detoxes triggers Google’s algorithms to bombard me with ads for detox products! I look forward to more of your posts.

    1. Betz MS, RD, CSR, FAND

      Oh my goodness! Thank you SO much for your kind comment. And UGH to those “detox” ads. I’m actually trying to look into this and see if I can adjust the settings to avoid this. I appreciate you mentioning it!

  2. I have an elevated level if oxalates un my urine which lead to kidney stones. It was recommended that I take Tums with each each meal because the high calcium level (1000 mg calcium carbonate in each tablet)) will bind to the oxalate and reduce creation of kidney stones. Do you agree with this approach? I also have a heart condition so not sure about whether the higher calcium would be problematic.

      1. Thank you SO MUCH or taking the time to respond to my comment, and for that very helpful link. Because of you, I asked my urologist to order a 24 hour urine test – which he readily agreed to. That’s when I found out I had very high oxalate level (85- twice the suggested amount). He then said to take one or two tums with each meal, and then he would do another test in 3 months. I’m thinking 500 mg tab, but no more. Your thoughts??

        1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

          Of course! And I’m SO glad you got that test. I really would have to dive into your entire 24-hour urine test to know if Tums is ok for you. Their may be safer ways to get that calcium in to help get that urine oxalate down.

  3. My doctor does not know what caused my CKD trying to figure out if it is too much vitamin D, my labs where over 120 for about a year, lots of dark chocolate, being dehydrated or psych meds for about 25 years. Thank You! Maria

  4. i drink an abnormal amount of water; yet, suffer frequent dehydration and now have Kidney-injury. Is there any way to help the filters?

    1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

      Without knowing more about your medical history, I can’t safely give you advice. I’d definitely ask your doctor!

  5. if you have kidney disease or falilure, how is it that detoxing those areas can make it
    worse? isn’t the teas cleansing those areas.. how can it make it worse? or are you saying
    that the detox is interferring with the subscribed drugs?

    1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

      Hi Michele! There is no way to “detox” your kidneys. Many regimens and supplements that claim to do this can actually cause kidney damage, whether it be by inducing dehydration, or introducing abnormally high amounts of nutrients to your body. I suppose some detoxes could ALSO interfere with prescription drugs as well!

  6. I just bough a bag of Cadae kidney detox tea. I haven’t drink any yet but I wouls like to know if I can drink it just for pleassure

    1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

      Hi Monica! Yes – chances are a detox tea isn’t going to hurt you. If it tastes good, go ahead and enjoy!

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