The Truth Uncovered: Juice Cleanses

As young women, it is all too easy to get caught up in the latest and greatest fads and trends that promise fat loss. Juice cleanses are promoted by social media personalities, celebrities, and even local juice shops as a way to lose weight fast. We’re here to uncover the truth and find out if there truthfully is real nutritional value to juice cleanses.

So what exactly is a juice cleanse? It is essentially a form of diet that requires consuming only fruit and vegetable juices for a certain amount of time in an attempt to detoxify your body and lost weight fast. They often last for three days. One of the main benefits to the diet is that it heightens ones vitamin and mineral intake thanks to the multitude of fruits and veggies. The juices are often rich in anti-inflammatory minerals which can help boost one’s immune system. These enzymes can also facilitate a healthier digestion. Another main benefit that is promoted by advocates of the diet, is that the cleanse rids the body of all toxins and allows it to “reset.” Although according to dietician Joy Dubost, the body is always in a “cleanse mode” and has a built in detoxification method of getting the bad stuff out of our system. The cleanse may help to eliminate your body of all of the toxins, although there is no switch that flips when going through a juice cleanse that magically starts to erase these bad toxins from your body. Your digestive system is constantly working to maintain a healthy tract and rid your body of the worst toxins.

The diet may temporarily decrease bloating and increase your vitamin intake, but nutritionists have also found potential risks in juice cleanses. Because the diet involves such a low caloric intake, individuals will experience almost immediate weight loss, although this will not be maintained long term. Not consuming enough calories can also lead to low blood sugar and result in weakness, dizziness, headaches, etc. A common myth is that the lack of fiber in the diet benefits the digestive system by “giving it a rest” to be able to reset. Although, fiber is imminent in proper gastrointestinal function and helps a person to feel full longer. The lack of fiber is in fact a bad thing, not a benefit of the cleanse.

The benefits resulting from vitamin and mineral intake that are promised by benefactors of the diet may be somewhat true, but before considering jumping in solely for that reason, weigh the risks. Juice cleanses aren’t meant for everyone, and according to Dubost, introducing a healthier diet including more fruits and veggies may be just as beneficial as the cleanse.  

Sources:

https://www.livescience.com/48941-juice-cleanses-fact-fiction.html

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323136.php