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Fact check: No evidence that foot pads can detoxify the body, experts say

Dezimey Kum
USA TODAY

The claim: Cleansing foot pads detoxify the body    

A widely shared video circulating on social media purports to show detox foot pads removing toxins from the bottom of the feet.

"Cleansing Foot Pads provides a healthy and fast effect to your body while you are sleeping," reads the text of a Facebook post shared April 21."From reducing inflammation, relieving the body, to detoxifying your body from all the impurities." 

The video generated over 300,000 views and close to 500 interactions within two weeks. Several other Facebook users have shared similar posts.

But there is no credible evidence to support foot pads clearing the body of toxins. Experts told USA TODAY no scientific studies have been published proving detox foot pads work.

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USA TODAY reached out to the Facebook user who shared the claim for comment.

Scientific data on foot pads is scant

There is no scientific evidence that proves detox foot pads are effective.

"One of the most common claims for (foot pads) is that they draw out toxins like heavy metals, and that is a claim for which there is very little evidence," said Dr. Murad Alam, vice chair of dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

When the foot pad is removed, it appears dark and discolored, and that supposedly reflects the toxins expelled from the body overnight, social media posts say.

But the discoloration stems from sweat reacting with chemicals in the foot pad, Alam said.  

"There's some chemicals like vinegar (in the foot pad), and it's probably just a chemical reaction of moisture affecting the footpad," he said.

The Journal of Heavy Metal Toxicity and Diseases published a study in 2018 that examined whether foot pads remove metals from the body. The presence of metals in the pads before and after use was investigated in 53 participants. It concluded that "detox foot pad(s) did not induce the elimination of studied metals through the feet."

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A 2008 National Public Radio report compared used and unused foot pads and shipped them to a laboratory for analysis. The labfound no significant changes between the used and unused pads. 

The body naturally eliminates toxins 

The human body is well-equipped for filtering and eliminating unwanted substances without the use of any external device, experts say. The liver, intestines, kidneys and sweat glands in the epidermis remove toxins.

"Feet are not a detoxification organ," said Dr. Adrianne Fugh-Berman, a professor of pharmacology and physiology at Georgetown University. Fugh-Berman added that sweat eliminates few waste compounds compared to the kidneys and liver.

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In 2010, a federal judge, at the request of the Federal Trade Commission, banned the manufacturers of the Kinoki Foot Pads from selling their products. According to the FTC, the makers "falsely claimed to have scientific proof that the foot pads removed toxic materials from the body." 

"There's no special characteristics of foot skin that make foot skin more likely to be a way to take out toxins or other bad substances," said Alam. 

Our rating: False

Based on our research, we rate FALSE the claim that cleansing foot pads detoxify the body. Experts said there's no reliable evidence foot pads work. The pads' discoloration is primarily due to chemicals in the pads. The FTC has also charged a detox foot pad manufacturer with misleading advertising for claiming the pads detoxify the body.

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