If there is one thing that catches the immediate attention of fitness enthusiasts and those on a weight loss journey alike is a new diet plan. Fad diets have become a norm, a habit of sorts, and are being immediately lapped up, especially by the youth and those in middle age.
We are not ridiculing every diet plan out there, but we urge you to read, understand and look for the scientific evidence before including it in your daily routine. Talk to your doctor or nutritionist to check if that diet plan works for you. Cotton Ball Diet is one such diet that has become popular but is a cause of concern for its harmful effects. 
The cotton ball diet is an eating practice that comprises consuming liquids-like juices or smoothies dipped in a cotton ball. This diet is believed to make a person feel satiated without gaining weight. Health experts have warned against the dangerous impact of this diet.
It is prevalent in the modelling industry where women are motivated to be unhealthily slim for their profession as eating cotton ball flavoured liquids can support them feel full without having normal food.
Read this article to know how dangerous this diet can affect a person's health status.
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Eating cotton balls or any non-food source to lose weight isn't a diet and is considered disordered eating. Moreover, like eating disorders, including bulimia, anorexia, and bingeing, the cotton ball diet has potentially severe health effects.
Eating disorders mainly arise from body unhappiness. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa, most people treated for eating disorders suffer from mood disorders like depression. Also, people who use strategies like the cotton ball diet to lose weight would deal with mental health issues.
Also Read: Top 5 Super Foods To Achieve Weight Loss - Infographic
Harmful Health Effects Of The Cotton Ball Diet
Intense dieting always comes with health risks, and the cotton ball diet is no exception. Here are four ways in which this diet can cause significant harm to health.
Intestinal Obstruction
The body cannot digest cotton balls, so that they will remain in the stomach and intestines. This non-food material combines with mucus and other food elements creating a mass known as a bezoar. When something cannot be digested, it can obstruct the digestive tract, and some of the signs of intestinal obstruction include:
- Nausea
- Cramps
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Abdominal swelling
- Abdominal Pain
Intestinal obstruction averts food and liquids from passing through the gastrointestinal tract. If left untreated, it can result in the death of healthy tissues and infection. Intestinal obstruction is considered a medical emergency, and these bezoars should be removed surgically.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is an eating and psychological disorder which involves fear of gaining weight. People with this eating disorder will go to extreme levels to lose weight and keep it off. This includes starvation and following a cotton ball diet. Excessive weight loss is one of the early signs of anorexia; other symptoms include:
- Bloating
- Abnormal hair growth
- Amenorrhea
- Fatigue
- Osteoporosis
- Abnormal heart rhythms
According to the National Institute of Health, the death rate for anorexia is 10 %, one of the highest among eating disorders, and can also result in heart or other organ failures.
Also Read: Do You Really Know What Anorexia Is?
Toxicity
Cotton balls aren't pure cotton but are picked from an organically grown plant. The fibers are often processed with bleach and other chemicals, resulting in the creation of dioxins.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dioxins that come up naturally via the food chain can result in reproduction and developmental problems. This may also interrupt normal hormone balance, damage immune function, and even cause cancer. Dioxins are mainly dangerous because they're chemically stable and can stay in the system for 7 to 11 years.
While most of us consume some form of hidden dioxins by consuming animal products, the level of dioxins engulfed in the cotton ball is much higher than other sources.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition develops when the body cannot meet the nutritional needs for survival and life. Symptoms include:
- Pale skin
- Rashes
- Bruising
- Painful joints
- Thinning Hair
- Bleeding gums
- Sensitivity to light
Long-term malnutrition may also develop with disordered eating, leading to an increased risk of infection and even death.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How Do People Consume Cotton Balls On This Diet?
In this diet regimen, cotton balls are usually soaked in fluids like juice or smoothies to make them easier to consume.
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Is The Cotton Ball Diet Effective For Weight Loss?
The cotton ball diet is not an effective dietary practice for weight loss. It can be harmful to health and does not provide any wholesome nutrients or sustenance.
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What Are The Dangers Of The Cotton Ball Diet?
This diet can lead to severe side effects, including blockages in the digestive tract, malnutrition, dehydration, and even choking.
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Are There Any Safe Alternatives To The Cotton Ball Diet For Weight Loss?
Yes, there are many safe and effective ways to shed extra kilos, such as maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and seeking guidance from a healthcare professional or dietitian.
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Can The Cotton Ball Diet Lead To Eating Disorders?
Yes, the cotton ball diet can lead to the development of eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder.
-
Is The Cotton Ball Diet Ever Recommended By Healthcare Professionals?
A: No, healthcare professionals never recommend the cotton ball diet. It is considered a dangerous and harmful practice.
Conclusion:
Long-term weight loss and maintenance can be achieved by adopting a healthy lifestyle, eating a wholesome and balanced diet, and getting regular exercise. The cotton ball diet is not only a lousy weight loss strategy but a highly fatal one.
References:
Cotton ball diet,Danielle Tamashiro Duarte, Fernanda Burma Leitzke
Francisco Tustumi, Hospital das Clínica
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377861788_Cotton_ball_diet
6 Dangers of the Cotton Ball Diet, Headshot of Kevin Mimms, LMFT
Author: Kevin Mimms, LMFT, Kristen Fuller, MD, Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD
https://www.choosingtherapy.com/cotton-ball-diet/
