It’s party season and in an effort to squeeze into her little black dress Abigail Johnson tries Beyonce’s Lemon Detox.

CHRISTMAS is almost upon us, and it’s time to dig out those party dresses and start loading up on mince pies and cocktails. Oh, but hang on a second – the two don’t exactly go together. While a bit of extra padding’s great for keeping out the cold, it doesn’t do much for squeezing into something figure-hugging.

I’m determined not to miss out on the food and drinks, but I still want to sparkle at Christmas. So in search of a quick fix I followed in the glittery footsteps of Beyonce.

The star reportedly shed over a stone in around ten days for her role in the Dreamgirls film, by going on the Maple Syrup diet, also known as the Lemon Detox.

Once the secret of her sudden shrinkage was out, bottles of Madal Bal Natural Tree Syrup flew off the shelves. You simply add fresh lemon juice and water to turn the syrup into an appetite-suppressing drink which you have instead of meals and sip whenever you’re hungry, for a maximum of ten days. At the end of this fast the promise is that you will have boosted energy levels, improved wellbeing, and have clearer skin.

My first taste made me wince as it’s a sickly sweet concoction, even though I added cayenne pepper and ginger – additions suggested to improve the flavour. As my motivation flagged, I kept reminding myself that soon I’d be a party-perfect as a celebrity.

But after a couple of days I struggled. Giving up coffee resulted in caffeine withdrawal headaches, and filling up on water and the diet juice, to ward off hunger pangs and dehydration, wasn’t the same as tasty meals. I also got quite irritable, moody and struggled to concentrate.

When I contacted the Lemon Detox experts, I was advised, if I was really suffering, to have a light meal of lean fish or chicken and brown rice at supper times. The next day, feeling slightly better, I followed that more moderate approach.

After five days the torture had to end – and I’m lost in admiration that Beyonce managed more than that.

My verdict: Although I only lost a couple of pounds, my tummy is flatter. I also feel light and revived, and have a spring in my step.

“You look glowing,” my friend announced.

It’s true – my skin is clearer and my eyes brighter.

This regime works, and the syrup does contain vital minerals and nutrients, including iron, necessary for a shortterm fast. But even Beyonce found that once filming finished and she started eating normally again that her glorious curves soon filled out again.

By using the more moderate approach of only replacing some meals with the syrup, it could be an effective way to lose weight over a longer period. It might help retrain your appetite, and the gradual weight loss could boost a slimmer’s motivation.

That’s the choice I’d definitely recommend if you have an active lifestyle or any job that requires significant concentration.

■ Madal Bal Natural Tree Syrup is £27.50 for a 500ml can, and £39.99 for a litre from leading health stores nationwide. For advice and stockists call 0845-370-1012 or lemondetox.com or revital.co.uk

THE NHS has released research showing that people suffering from chronic acid reflux may be better off having surgery than taking pills for the rest of their lives.

A trial of 800 patients conducted at the University of Aberdeen found that a year after keyhole surgery to create a new valve preventing reflux, only 14 per cent still needed medication, compared to 90 per cent of those treated with drugs alone.

Although some doctors consider surgery as ‘‘too extreme’’ for the condition, Professor Roger Jones, chair of the Primary Care Gastroenterology Society, says chronic reflux can mean a lifetime of tablet taking for some people.

DID YOU KNOW?

■ TO keep colds at bay during the cold snap, you should eat well and ensure your diet contains plenty of zinc and vitamin C and E found in seeds, nuts, cereals, bread, vegetables and citrus fruits. You should also aim to get eight hours sleep and avoid unnecessary stresses and strains.

■ BOOTS offers a flu vaccination service in stores in England & Wales for £15. Call for nearest store: 08450-707-890/boots.com

Time for heartfelt fundraising

THE UK’s foremost heart charity, The British Heart Foundation, is aiming to raise enough money for two specialist heart scanners for the region and it is appealing for the public’s help.

With its Heart of Bishop Auckland and Heart of Darlington Appeals, the BHF hopes to raise more than £200,000 to fund two 3D echocardiograph machines for Darlington Memorial Hospital and Bishop Auckland General Hospital.

A 3D echocardiograph is an amazing piece of technology.

It passes a pulse of high-frequency sound through the patient’s body and picks up the echoes thrown back. These echoes translate into 3D images of the heart – its structure, its valves and its pumping action. This allows a speedy and painfree diagnosis, which is great for all patients but especially for babies and toddlers.

The charity asks the public to get involved by either making a donation to the local BHF fundraising team, to spread the word to friends, family and work colleagues or by organising an event themselves.

■ The BHF Do It For Us booklet is packed with all sorts of fundraising ideas and advice on how to make your money go further. To get the booklet or to make a donation, contact Fiona Turner, fundraising manager for both appeals on 01642-562162 or 07702-726450, email turnerf@bhf.org.uk or visit bhf.org.uk