Detox diets seem to be the hottest fad around, especially for people who will now resolve to lose all the holiday weight, gained after the over-indulgences of the festive season.

But how beneficial are these diets? Do they even work? Are they dangerous?

There is no doubt that detox diets are very tempting, with promoters of the routine touting that one needs to get of all the toxins which could cause poor digestion, fatigue, changes of mood, weight gain and a tendency to get sick more often.

Popular forms of detox diets require the followers to indulge in fasting, cut back the calorie intake drastically, avoid a whole group of food all together or follow some complex routines which require one to take some sort of supplements.

"The liver will operate best when an optimal diet is consumed, a healthy weight maintained and daily exercise is undertaken. A healthy liver requires a healthy diet consisting of whole foods from the four food groups and water. There is no such thing as a special "DETOX DIET", and fasting, may be harmful as the function of the body will become unbalanced and toxins may be produced", said Dr Elaine Rush is Professor of Nutrition at Auckland University of Technology.

And she is just one of the many, many dietitians and experts who oppose these so called fad diets, while stressing that eating right and exercising is the only way to get and stay fit.