Does Kourtney Kardashian's Recipe for "Detox Water" Actually Work? A Nutritionist's Answer Might Surprise You

Kim Kardashian famously hawked a so-called appetite-suppressing lollipop with weight-loss claims that got her into hot water. Her sister Kourtney Kardashian is going a different route, espousing a drink she calls "detox water." The mom of three has shared her go-to recipe with fans and touted its health benefits — but is there any way this special mixture actually does anything?

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians reality star is all about that organic life, natural ingredients in her foods and products, and staying hydrated. But, rather than just drinking plain old water, she favors a homemade mix of that “detox water,” which includes a list of ingredients she says encourages her to drink more throughout the day. In addition, Kourtney says it speeds up her metabolism and detoxifies the body.

“Since drinking enough water every day is a huge part of my wellness regimen, I have big pitchers at home infused with healthy ingredients,” she says on her app. “Studies show that drinking eight to 12 ounces of filtered water with fresh lemon first thing in the morning helps jump-start your metabolism and detox your body. Meanwhile, mint and ginger are effective in keeping your immune system strong. When I make this water, the fresh flavors taste so good that I end up drinking even more throughout my day.”

The recipe includes water, half a cucumber, half a lemon, fresh ginger root, a whole lime, 10 to 12 fresh mint leaves, and a pinch of Himalayan salt.

Well, guess what? It may taste good, but plain water still does the trick just as well: The Feast asked New York City-based registered dietician and nutritionist Tara Condell if making the five-minute detox recipe was really worth the trouble — and the answer is only partially no.

“[Kourtney] is encouraging people to drink more water, which is always good — but there’s really no quick-fix detox,” Condell explains.

She says that the only way to really detox the body is to “eat fiber, drink water, and get good sleep.”

“Then let your liver, which is your detox powerhouse, do all the dirty work,” she says.

And while Kourtney’s drink will keep you hydrated — which is indeed a great component to healthy living — regular water with nothing added is “100 percent” the best thing to drink, Condell says.

“But if hers tastes better, people might want to drink more water and that’s good,” she adds.

So in short, Kourtney's recipe isn't better than regular water per se — except for the way it might encourage better hydration habits. So in that sense, she's onto something. And you might not have seen that coming.

Any health-related information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider for any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, or before embarking on any diet, exercise, or wellness program.