"Sucks Out Waste": Detox Foot Baths Go Viral, But the Truth Behind the "Brown Water" Is a Twist

Recently, foot baths that turn into brown water as toxins supposedly drain out just by soaking your feet have been gaining popularity. Is there a specific reason why the color changes?

Yes. Recently, some foot bath shops in Seoul have been promoting "detox foot baths," claiming that soaking your feet in water draws out bodily waste.

With fees ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 won for 30 minutes to an hour, word of mouth has spread that it is a relatively affordable way to manage health, drawing interest from foreign tourists as well.

However, experts explain that the reason the water turns brown after a foot bath is not because toxins are coming out of the body, but rather a phenomenon caused by the metal inside the foot bath device oxidizing during the electrolysis process.

Because the skin acts as a barrier that blocks the penetration and excretion of external substances, they stated that there is a lack of scientific basis for the claim that toxins leave the body through foot baths.

They also added that it is appropriate to expect only the benefits of warming the body and helping blood circulation from foot baths.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.