The UK's most complete GLP-1 guide
Every Question Answered. Every Side Effect Explained.
- How GLP-1 medications work
- Mounjaro vs Wegovy compared
- Injection instructions
- Side effects & solutions
- What to eat on treatment
- FAQs answered
Free tracker included with every download this week
Do Detox Drinks Really Help with Weight Loss?
Detox drinks are heavily marketed for weight loss, but the evidence is limited. Your body naturally detoxifies through your liver and kidneys — you don't need special drinks to "cleanse" yourself. If you're looking for genuine weight management in the UK, focus on calorie deficit, balanced nutrition, and physical activity. For significant weight loss, your GP can discuss prescription options or refer you to NHS weight loss services. Use our free BMI calculator to understand your current health status, then explore evidence-based approaches that actually work.
10,000+ calculations today · NHS-aligned thresholds · 100% free
Calculate Your BMI Instantly
Enter your height and weight below. Supports both imperial (stone & lbs) and metric (kg). Results include NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity adjustments.
What Is BMI and Why Does It Matter?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most widely used screening tool for assessing whether your weight falls within a healthy range. Used by the NHS, GPs, and weight management services across the UK, BMI provides a quick snapshot of your weight relative to your height. The formula is simple: your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared (kg/m²).
While BMI isn't a perfect measure — it doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution — it remains the standard first step in identifying potential weight-related health risks including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and certain cancers.
The NHS also recommends adjusted thresholds for people of South Asian, Chinese, or Black African heritage — a BMI of 23 or above is classified as overweight, and 27.5 as obese. Our calculator includes this adjustment as a one-click toggle.
What Detox Drinks Claim to Do
Detox drinks typically claim to:
- Remove toxins and "reset" your body
- Speed up metabolism and fat burning
- Suppress appetite
- Reduce bloating and water retention
- Improve energy levels
Popular types include lemon water with cayenne pepper, apple cider vinegar drinks, green tea concoctions, and commercial detox juice cleanses. However, the NHS and medical evidence do not support the idea that these drinks have special detoxifying powers. Your liver and kidneys already filter waste effectively. Most claimed benefits are either temporary (like reduced bloating from reduced salt) or lack scientific evidence. Any weight loss from detox drinks is usually due to reduced overall calorie intake, not the drink itself. If you're serious about weight management in the UK, prescription weight loss medications alongside lifestyle changes offer proven results — these can be explored through NHS weight loss services or private clinical assessment.
Weight Loss
No appointments. No waiting rooms. Just care — from a UK-regulated online pharmacy.
How It Works
Three simple steps to understand your weight and take action.
Enter your height and weight in our free calculator. Get your BMI, NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity-adjusted thresholds instantly.
If your BMI suggests you're overweight or obese, explore our GLP-1 calculators to project potential weight loss on Mounjaro or Wegovy.
Use our progress tracker to log your weight weekly, visualise your journey with charts, and stay motivated — all stored privately in your browser.
Free Weight Loss Tools & Guides
Everything you need to understand your weight, explore medication options, and track your progress — completely free.
Evidence-Based Weight Loss That Actually Works
The NHS recommends sustainable weight loss of 0.5 to 1 kg per week through a calorie deficit. This means eating fewer calories than you burn — approximately 500 kcal per day creates a safe deficit. For prescription weight loss in the UK, medications like GLP-1 injections (Mounjaro and Wegovy) have clinical trial evidence showing average weight loss of 15–21% of body weight when combined with diet and exercise. These are prescription-only and require clinical assessment. Try our GLP-1 weight loss calculator to estimate potential results with these medications. For most people, the most effective approach combines reduced-calorie diet, increased physical activity, behaviour change, and where appropriate, medication support — not detox drinks.
- Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 22.5% body weight loss (SURMOUNT-1)
- Weekly injection, dose escalation over 20+ weeks
- Available via private prescription in the UK
- Doses: 2.5mg → 5mg → 7.5mg → 10mg → 12.5mg → 15mg
- GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 15–17% body weight loss (STEP trials)
- Weekly injection, 5-step dose escalation
- NHS & private prescription available
- Doses: 0.25mg → 0.5mg → 1mg → 1.7mg → 2.4mg
Mounjaro vs Wegovy: Head-to-Head
A side-by-side comparison of the two most popular GLP-1 weight loss medications available in the UK.
| Feature | Mounjaro | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Drug class | Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist | GLP-1 agonist |
| Active ingredient | Tirzepatide | Semaglutide |
| Avg. weight loss | 15–22.5% | 12–17% |
| Key trial | SURMOUNT-1 (2022) | STEP 1 (2021) |
| Max dose | 15 mg weekly | 2.4 mg weekly |
| Escalation period | 20–32 weeks | 16–20 weeks |
| Administration | Weekly injection (pen) | Weekly injection (pen) |
| NHS availability | Private prescription only | NHS & private |
| Approx. private cost | £150–£250/month | £150–£300/month |
| Common side effects | Nausea, diarrhoea, constipation | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea |
Data sourced from SURMOUNT-1 and STEP 1 clinical trials. Costs are approximate and vary by provider. Always consult a prescriber.
Am I Eligible for Weight Loss Medication?
In the UK, eligibility for GLP-1 weight loss medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy is based on your BMI and overall health profile.
- BMI of 30 or above (obese)
- Age 18 or over
- No contraindicated conditions
- Committed to lifestyle changes
- BMI of 27 or above
- Plus type 2 diabetes
- Or high blood pressure
- Or obstructive sleep apnoea
Use our BMI calculator to check whether your BMI falls within the eligible range.
How We Built These Tools
Every calculator and guide on myweightcheck is built with accuracy and transparency in mind. Our BMI calculator uses the standard WHO formula with NHS-aligned category thresholds. Our GLP-1 projections are modelled on published clinical trial data from SURMOUNT and STEP studies.
All data stays on your device. We don't require sign-ups, and we don't store your health information on any server. Your progress tracker saves data locally in your browser using localStorage, so only you can see it.
We're based in the UK and our tools are designed specifically for UK users — supporting stone & lbs by default, referencing NHS guidelines, using NICE-approved medication data, and linking to GPhC-registered pharmacies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about BMI, weight loss medications, and our free UK tools.
Are detox drinks scientifically proven for weight loss?
No. The NHS and medical evidence do not support detox drinks as effective weight loss tools. Your body naturally detoxifies through your liver and kidneys without special drinks. Any weight loss is usually from reduced calorie intake, not the drink's claimed properties.
Do detox drinks boost metabolism?
Some ingredients like green tea or caffeine may have minor metabolic effects, but they're negligible for real weight loss. Metabolism changes require sustained calorie deficit, physical activity, and sometimes medication — not detox drinks.
What should I do instead of detox drinks?
Focus on sustainable methods: eat a balanced diet with a calorie deficit, increase physical activity, drink plenty of water, and speak to your GP about NHS weight loss options. For eligible adults, prescription weight loss medications offer evidence-based support.
Can detox drinks help with bloating?
Temporary bloating reduction is possible from reduced salt intake, but this is not weight loss — it's water retention. Real, sustainable weight loss requires calorie deficit over weeks and months, not short-term detox drinks.
Should I ask my GP about detox drinks?
Your GP is unlikely to recommend detox drinks because they lack evidence. Instead, discuss your weight management goals with your GP, who can refer you to NHS weight management services or assess you for prescription weight loss options if appropriate.
Ready to take control of your weight loss journey?
Start with a free BMI check, explore your GLP-1 options, or begin tracking your progress today. No sign-up. No cost. Just results.