To be sure, there are certain practices we can incorporate into our daily routine to help our body (more on that later). But the wellness space can also be filled with false promises and gimmicky cure-alls if you’re not careful. One of these rituals that’s grown in popularity is the foot detox. As appealing as removing toxins through a foot soak sounds, does this purported detox approach actually do all it claims to do? It almost sounds too good to be true! We took a deep dive into the science behind a foot detox so you don’t have to. The most popular of these is the ionic foot detox, which is a physical bath that you buy to soak your feet in. The machine sends out a low-voltage electric current to charge the atoms in water molecules that are meant to attract and neutralize negatively charged toxins. Some of these even advertise that if the water changes color it means that the detoxification is working. There are also detoxifying adhesive pads that you stick to the bottom of your feet that claim to draw out the metals and toxins while you sleep. Many point to the fact that the pads change colors by morning as evidence of the toxins exiting the body. These tools can also come with a decent price tag: Many at-home foot detox basins are north of $100, and several foot pads on the market hover around $20 to $30. If you want to support your body’s natural detoxification process, you should look to adding certain nutrients to your diet such as antioxidant-rich veggies and fermented foods. And well-rounded lifestyle habits can help support your body, such as moving your body regularly and getting sleep. You can also leverage targeted, supplemental nutrients and bioactives such as glutathione (a tripeptide that helps clean up cellular debris), selenium (an essential trace mineral that supports several organs), milk thistle (a botanical with anti-inflammatory and liver-supportive actions), and potent antioxidants like NAC and vitamin C (fights free radicals).* With that being said, if you are looking to sit back, relax, and enjoy a spa-like experience at home, a nice foot soak just might be your self-care ritual. And that’s OK! Just don’t expect to detox your body while doing it.
