Healifeco Ionic Foot Spa

Ads like these are all about the can’t-look-away ick factor but according to Healifeco, they demonstrate how its ionic foot spa is actually working to “detoxify your body from hazardous impurities…for a toxin-free, healthy life!” As one featured customer put it: “I can’t believe all of this was in my body.”

Healifeco even offers a convenient cheat sheet so you can track exactly where these toxins came from.

The company also claims its product offers impressive health benefits, including help with conditions such as arthritis and edema:

Healifeco explains that the reason behind these benefits lies in the product’s ionization method, which utilizes negatively charged electrons to “mimic the natural grounding effect you feel when walking barefoot on Earth.” This grounding effect purportedly then leads to a more efficient detoxification process.

But can this mechanism stand on its own two feet in the face of scientific research?

Healifeco doesn’t cite any studies to back up its claims and there isn’t much scientific support for foot detoxes in general. One study conducted on a similar product (IonCleanse) years ago concluded that there was “no evidence to suggest that ionic footbaths help promote the elimination of toxic elements.”

In addition, despite Healifeco’s marketing to the contrary as shown above, the company admits on its website that the change in water color will happen even if you don’t put your feet in the water at all because of “chemical reactions between ions generated by the machine and the minerals inside water.” Healifeco also suggests that the majority of toxins may not even be leaving through your feet, but rather that the body “removes them through your excretory system.”

Healifeco did not respond to TINA.org’s request for comment.

The bottom line

When evaluating health claims made in advertisements, it’s important to look for the scientific backup and to thoroughly read through all the company’s materials, including the fine print. And as always, consumers should consult with their health care provider if they’re seeking treatment for a health condition.