A foot detox is an alternative treatment modality that is performed to stimulate the elimination of toxins from the body through the feet.

Although foot detoxes are promoted as being effective in treating diseases, reducing stress and boosting circulation, there is no scientific proof that supports their effectiveness. The majority of toxins in the body are eliminated through the the kidneys, liver, lungs, and sweat glands, and the feet are not know to be a significant method of removing toxins.

It is important to emphasize that ionic detox is an alternative treatment, which can be done to complement conventional medical treatment, and should not replace the treatment indicated by the doctor.

Health benefits

Some benefits of a foot detox include:

Improving circulation to the lower extremities
Reducing swelling
Reducing stress and anxiety
Improve the appearance of skin on the feet
Increasing the feeling of well-being.

The health benefits that a foot detox can provide are more related to their ability to promote relaxation and stress relief, and less to do with their ability to detox or remove toxins from the body.

How is a foot detox done?

To carry out a foot detox, you should soak your feet in a bowl of salt water and connect the bowl to copper and steel electrodes.

The copper and steel electrodes are said to promote the elimination of toxins, chemicals and synthetic materials from the body.

Why does the water change color?

It is still not very clear why a foot detox causes changes to the water color, but it is believed that it is not related to the toxins being released from the feet, and instead related to chemical reactions of the products added to the water, or from the electrodes connected to the bowl that breaks the water molecules into ions.

As a result, the water can turn green, brown, orange, white or even have some black spots, but there are still no studies that confirm that the color of the water changes due to the release of toxins by the body,

Possible side effects

A foot detox may cause side effects like nausea, vomiting or dizziness.

Additionally, people with uncontrolled diabetes will typically have decreased sensitivity in their feet, which can increase the risk for skin damage and burns.