Indeed, the short-term use of ineffective products, often supported by starvation diets, has little detoxing value and can result in headaches, nausea and fatigue. Drinking plenty of water and getting a good night’s sleep are more beneficial.

The fact is, the body is perfectly capable of detoxing itself. However, a contemporary detox programme supports this process. It gives your body a break. Giving up alcohol, for instance, eases the load on your liver, while cutting back on caffeine reduces the stress on your nervous system.

Think of it as a holistic lifestyle approach. It has been scientifically proven that smart food and lifestyle choices reduce your exposure to toxins, as well as strengthening and supporting your organs to efficiently release, then remove, toxins from your system. This will lead to gradual weight loss. The results will be improved sleep, reduced stress, increased energy, a faster metabolism, better digestion and rejuvenated skin.

This detox will wean you off high intakes of dietary toxins such as caffeine and alcohol, and rid your body of environmental toxins such as pesticide residues, food additives and the chemicals that enter your system via the water supply. It will help you to expel the toxic atmospheric particles you inhale and the toxic substances — found in everything from cleaning products to the flame retardants on computers — absorbed through the skin.

Over the next three weeks, we will guide you through a plan that will enable you to achieve this while still enjoying delicious juices and meals. Week one triggers rapid weight loss and gives full-on first-aid to vital organs — the liver, kidneys, intestines and skin.

The science We metabolise and expel alcohol and caffeine via the liver and kidneys. Environmental toxins, however, are harder to break down. Some get stored in fat cells, while others swill around in the blood, creating a chemical soup that scientists believe may have profound effects on our health, disturbing the action of hormones. There is even talk of them triggering cancer.

Contemporary detoxing has a two- pronged approach: it helps your organs to work at an optimum level to eliminate toxins, but also increases your resistance to future exposure.

Why now? The spring and early summer months are perfect. As we emerge from the colder days of winter, the annual rhythms of the body make the detox process easier by naturally reducing the appetite. This is because we have more exposure to sunlight, which creates the feelgood brain chemical serotonin. As well as lifting your mood, it helps to reduce the appetite, so that it’s easier to cut back on the amount you consume.

How often? Ideally, Style’s three-week plan once a year, or the first three days of one week once a month.

What to expect On this plan, you will shed up to 5lb in the first week. A couple of pounds will be body fat, but the rest will be water loss. By eating less salt and more potassium, found in the fruit and vegetable drinks, you will flush away any retained water.

Who should not detox? Pregnant women and people with diabetes or kidney disease. Detoxing is not a good idea directly after a cold or flu.

Times recommends

• Are eldest children really a cut above?
• Peaches Geldof: censored
• Top 10 style-setting films of all time