By Kate Devlin, Medical Correspondent
The British Dietetic Association, which represents 6,000 dieticians across Britain, said that there was no "potion or lotion" which could "magically" rid the body of chemicals.
The theory behind detox - that dangerous toxins build up in the body - was dismissed by the health experts, who said the body was constantly cleaning itself.
Thousands of slimmers are expected to try a detox diet in the next few weeks, spurred by guilt over heavy drinking and eating during the festive period.
A wide range of different kits, including ready-prepared vitamin drinks and diet plans, are available on the high street and from specialist health shops.
Vorderman launched her own range of detox books after losing weight and a detox plan is also sold as part of McKeith's health food range.
They are based on the theory that chemicals and other pollutants remain in our bodies over time, causing health problems, and need to be removed.
Dieters undergoing a detox are usually advised to cut out a wide range of "unhealthy" foods and supplement their diet with vitamin drinks.
But the BDA insists that there is no such toxic build-up, and branded the industry "pseudo scientific".
Dr Frankie Phillips, a spokesperson for the BDA, said: "The whole idea of detox is nonsense.
"The body is a well-developed system that has its own built-in mechanisms to detoxify and remove waste from top to toe.
"Skin, the gut and liver and kidneys are all chemically-controlled powerhouses that respond to signals in the form of, for example, hormones, to remove waste products – typically detoxifying the body constantly.
"There are no pills or specific drinks, patches or lotions that can do a magic job.
"If you have over-indulged on alcohol, for example, the liver works hard to break down the alcohol into products it can remove.
"Being well-hydrated is a sensible strategy.
"It sounds predicable, but for the vast majority of people, a sensible diet and regular physical activity really are the only ways to properly protect your health for the year ahead."
The BDA warns that only eating sensibly and drinking plenty of fluids can help the bodies' natural cleansing system.
The group recommends that New Year's diet resolutions include drinking enough fluids, around six to eight glasses a day is sufficient; keeping a diet diary; making small changes that will last, such as eating one extra portion of fruit or vegetables a day; and planning meals ahead.
The BDA represents registered dietitians across Britain and two-thirds of its members are employed by the NHS.
Carol Vorderman, whose books include Detox for Life, said: “I’ve put everything I think about detoxes in my book and without seeing what the dieticians have written I can’t make any further comment.”
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