London, Jan 5 : Despite a lack of scientific evidence, consumers are being misled into believing `detox' products actually work, a new British study has warned.

The investigation, done by research members of the Voice of Young Science network, revealed that many detox claims were `meaningless'.

The study suggested that anyone wanting to counter the effects of festive over-indulgence would be better off relying on a few age-old remedies - easing off the alcohol, eating sensibly, exercising and getting a good night''s sleep.

The researchers challenged the companies behind products such as vitamins, shampoo, detox patches and a body brush on the evidence they had to support the detox claims made.

They found that no two companies seemed to use the same definition of detox - officially defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as the removal of toxic substances or qualities.

The researchers said that in the majority of cases, producers and retailers were forced to admit that they had simply renamed processes like cleaning or brushing, as detox.

One researcher investigated a Garnier face wash, which claimed to detoxify the skin by removing toxins. She found that the `toxins' turned out to be the dirt, make-up and skin oils that any cleanser would be expected to remove.

A five-day detox plan from Boots, which claimed to detoxify the body and flush away toxins, was also criticised for not being backed by evidence.

Evelyn Harvey, a biologist who looked into the product, suggested that if consumers followed the healthy diet that was recommended alongside the supplement they would probably feel better - but it would have nothing to do with the product itself.

The researchers also warned that, some detox diets could in fact have dangerous consequences and were a waste of money.

"The minimum sellers of detox products should be able to offer is a clear understanding of what detox is and proof that their product actually works. The people we contacted could do neither," BBC quoted Tom Wells, a chemist who took part in the research, as saying. (ANI)