Let’s Talk Juice: Traditional Juice Cleanses
What is a Traditional Juice cleanse?
A traditional juice cleanse is a type of diet that involves consuming only juices from vegetables and fruits for a certain period, ranging anywhere between 1-14 days. A juice cleanse supports the body’s natural detox processes, clears the diet of sugar, caffeine, refined foods, and other foods and substances that can deplete energy, and jumpstarts a more healthful way of eating. The concept of making juice from fruits or herbs for health benefits has been used through the ages.
How to Juice Cleanse:
During a traditional juice cleanse or fast, it is recommended to drink only juice or smoothies for the duration of the cleanse. A typical cleanse has three important stages:
- Preparation: For three to five days before the cleanse, you will gradually eliminate certain foods, such as coffee, refined sugar, meat, dairy products to reduce headaches and cravings. It’s also recommended to increase your intake of fresh vegetables, fruits, and fluids during the pre-cleanse.
- Cleanse: For the days of the actual cleanse, it is recommended to drink at least 32 ounces of juice. Make sure that you are still drinking water throughout the day to wash out toxins as they are being shed from your body. The more water that you drink and the more that you sweat you are less likely to suffer from side effects as your body cleanses.
- After the Cleanse: Once the fast is over, it is recommended to eat lightly for a few days, gradually adding foods back in over the course of several days.
There are many different ways to do a juice cleanse here is an example of a “Typical Day” on a traditional Juice Cleanse:
- 7:00 am wake up – drink hot lemon water
- 8:00 am – Green Juice #1 + Water
- 10:00 Orange Juice #1 + Water
- 12:00 Green Juice #2 + Water
- 2:00 Red Juice #1+ Water
- 4:00 Green Juice #3+ Water
- 6:00 Orange Juice #2+ Water
- 8:00 Smoothie or almond or cashew nut “milk”
Benefits of a Traditional Juice Cleanse:
- Fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Drinking juices made from fruits and vegetables can introduce extra nutrients into the body including Vitamin C and folate.
- Juices are also rich in anti-inflammatory compounds such as Vitamin E and curcumin.
– Vitamin E has been shown to reduce vascular inflammation in cardiovascular disease.
-Curcumin is one of turmeric’s naturally occurring phytonutrients and has long been touted for its cancer preventive and immune-supportive properties.
- Juices could help improve digestion by introducing healthy enzymes that make the gut work more efficiently. For example, mangos and bananas have amylase which breaks down carbs like starch into a simple sugar.
Potential risk of Juice Cleansing:
- Drinking large quantities of juice may be harmful to those with kidney disorders. Certain types of juice contain oxalate, an acid that can contribute to kidney stones and other kidney problems.
- Cleansing diets are usually low in calories. A reduced calorie intake may result in temporary weight loss, but this change is rarely long-lasting.
- If a juice cleanse includes laxatives or other methods of bowel stimulation, a person could lose too many nutrients in their stool. This can lead to dehydration and imbalanced electrolytes.
Tips:
- Cleanse with a friend! Compare stories and support each other
- Do yoga! Bending, twisting and lengthening are all important for supporting the organs
- Drink lots of water! Stay Hydrated!
- Decrease activity; moderate exercise
My thoughts:
I’ve never personally done a juice cleanse, but I have always been interested and wondered if they are actually beneficial. After researching juice cleanses and their purpose I would say a juice cleanse is something that most people can benefit from. I look forward to trying a traditional juice cleanse in the near future!
Best regards,
Tara Foster
Sources:
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