To Juice Cleanse or Not to Juice Cleanse?

When it comes to keeping our bodies in good shape, there are many ways for us to do just that. Some focus on exercise, others on a diet and more still, prefer a combination of the two. 

Juice cleansing is a diet-based way to give our digestive systems a rest while increasing our intake of essential nutrients and vitamins, in a natural and healthy way.

Of course, in some circles juice cleansing has been described as a fad which is designed to make money. After all, our bodies do a pretty good job of removing toxins on their own, without the need for juice cleansing. And then there are other groups, who swear by the benefits of juice cleansing and couldn’t go a month without a multi-day cleanse as part of their healthy lifestyle.

But, which group is telling the truth and is juice cleansing something you should do?

Juice Cleansing is Healthy and Body Beneficial

Both of those details are true. Juice cleansing is where a person substitutes a meal or some meals – usually for 1-5 days – with fruit and vegetable juices. By drinking only natural juice, you’re giving your body a break from the hard work of digesting three-meals-a-day, plus snacks.

If your body isn’t busy digesting all that delicious food, it’s got the time to break down any other toxins or food still in your body, properly. Your intestines aren’t under constant pressure and can work more efficiently.

Juice cleansing can also make you feel more energetic because all the good nutrients from the fruit and veggies you’re digesting make you feel good. At the same time, your body isn’t going crazy trying to breakdown all the food you’ve eaten – so it’s a good combination.

It’s Not a Magical Cure

That’s right. While there are benefits from a juice cleanse, they tend to be short-lived.

• You will probably lose weight while you cleanse – but you mostly lose water, and you’ll regain much of the weight when your start eating again.
• It does give your body a break – but the hard work will return when you start eating again.
• Juice cleansing won’t stop you from craving ‘bad’ foods – you might not want the sugary food you were always craving three days ago, for about half a day! After that, you’re probably going to want to eat similar foods to those you ate, before the cleanse
• Juice cleansing is a great way to give your body a break and get some additional nutrients and vitamins that come from fruit and vegetables. But, apart from being a good reboot for your body, provided you have a generally healthy lifestyle with a decent diet and enough exercise, then a juice cleanse won’t change your life.

Juice cleansing is no magic formula. But, there are more benefits from doing it than from not doing it – provided your underlying health allows for it.