The juice cleanse diet is one among many popular fad diets, such as water fasting to the cotton ball diet, that has been gaining traction lately. While some people regard juice cleansers as a good detoxifier, it may not be suitable for everyone. Here are a few things you should know before you get started.
What is a juice cleanse diet?
A juice cleanse diet is a detox diet that involves only consuming juiced fruits and vegetables. Juice cleanse diets usually last about 2-10 days, but there are several diet programs out there that stretch it for longer. The ones in favor of this ‘wonder diet’ claim that juice cleanse diets are an excellent way to detoxify, heal, and nourish the body. Once blended into juice, the vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals are believed to be richer in quantity and more easily absorbed. These fruits and vegetables, when consumed in the form of juice, tend to lack dietary fiber. While some experts suggest that to be a great thing, others beg to differ. Everything depends on every individual’s body’s needs.
Pros of a juice cleanse diet
The ones who advocate for a juice-cleanse diet say it's more than just a detoxifier. Here are the other pros of a juice-cleanse diet:- Replenishing the body with nutrients: Consuming fruits and vegetables in the form of juice replenishes the body with concentrated vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Moreover, the body can absorb Vitamin C much better when consumed through juices.
- Detoxification: The surge in liquid consumption helps with kidney function and the removal of accumulated non-organic waste.
- Promotes gut bacteria: Juice cleans can help promote healthy gut bacteria that can help with weight loss.
- Promotes hydration: Juice cleanse diets can positively affect body hydration. Dehydration tends to bring in a lot of fatigue. Hence, a juice-cleanse diet can help in hydrating the body appropriately.
Cons of a juice cleanse diet
When prolonged, juice cleanse diets can do more harm than good to the body. Given below are the cons of a juice cleanse diet:- Doesn’t work long-term for weight loss: Since the juice cleanse diet is a diet followed for quick weight loss, it is classified as a fad diet. However, the weight lost when on this diet isn’t very sustainable. While you may notice that you’re losing weight quite fast, it will come back just as quickly once you’re off the diet.
- Not sustainable: Juice cleanse diet isn’t a diet that you can follow for a longer amount of time. Juices can’t replace real food and meals.
- Can trigger an eating disorder: The temptation to lose weight fast and wanting to keep it off can cause people to stay longer on this diet than advised and trigger certain eating disorders.
- Can cause kidney stones: Leafy greens aren’t always your best friends. These vegetables are rich in oxalates that can cause kidney stones when consumed in excess.
- Can cause protein deficiency: While fruits and vegetables carry their share of proteins, it doesn’t carry the recommended daily amount. You can’t make up for the required protein from juices alone.
- Can cause low blood sugar: This diet isn’t recommended for patients with diabetes and hypoglycemia. In general too, this diet isn’t suited for many, as a lack of proper food consumption can also lead to low blood sugar in healthy people.