Summer diet trends always change, but one diet that seems to be sticking around is the liquid diet. Celebrities like Beyoncé, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Selma Hayek have used it to cleanse their bodies and lose weight. But is this diet right for you?

So, What’s the Liquid Diet?

A liquid diet requires that you substitute all solid-based meals with liquid ones. By eating only, or mostly, liquids, our bodies consume fewer calories. This diet gives you all the “important fluids, salts, and minerals that you need for energy.” However, for most people, this is a “quick fix” diet, not a lifetime solution. Two types of liquid diets include the clear liquid diets and the full liquid diet.

On the clear liquid diet, you only eat foods and liquids that are clear liquids at room temperature. Though this diet has some benefits it doesn’t provide your body with adequate calories to sustain you for very long, so this diet usually only lasts a few days. When on the clear diet the meals can consist of clear broth, clear sodas, coffee (no cream), fruit juice popsicles, honey, Jell-O, plain water, pulp-free juices (or lemonade), sports drinks and tea.

The full liquid diet is a little less restrictive. When on this diet, most people can intake “1,350 to 1,500 calories and 45 grams of protein a day” so it’s possible to stay on this diet for a rather long time. The full liquid diet is similar to the clear liquid diet; however, you have more options like: frozen yogurt, juices with pulp, oatmeal, pudding, strained cream soups, and liquid supplements like (Ensure or Boost).

What Are the Dangers?

People take on liquid diets for different reasons. They are thought to be invaluable detox regimens and a great technique to quickly shed pounds. However, these benefits are usually short lived. Once you end the diet you are likely to gain the weight again. These diets can also be medically recommended if the patient is about to or have just recovered from surgery or if they are experiencing digestive problems.

This diet also comes with side effects like dizziness, fatigue, hair loss, heart damage, and constipation. Before you start this diet it’s important to do research and talk to your doctor.