Juiced up!

by Saskia Brown

WellBeing Magazine, 25 April 2011.

How do they work?

The main way in which the benefits of juice detoxing are achieved is simply by giving your digestive system a rest. Since fresh fruit and vegetable juices require little digestion, they are quickly assimilated into your body. Most of the bodily energy normally involved in the assimilation, digestion and elimination of food is therefore liberated and can be utilised for the acceleration of repair and rejuvenation processes.

Toxins deposited in the fat tissue, liver and connective tissue can cause the body to become inflamed and congested. Juice detoxing helps to release these toxins and provides the body with a huge amount of carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants which allow the body to more effectively neutralise and eliminate the toxins and acid wastes.

Organic fruit and vegetable juices are rich in minerals which are essential for enzymes to function optimally. If you are mineral deficient and your enzymes aren’t functioning well the cells within your body lose their ability to transport molecules across the cell membrane. This means the cells can no longer expel their waste materials properly, causing a buildup of toxic waste within the cells which can interfere even more with the cells’ other functions and result in cellular deterioration.

• The minerals and nutrients contained in juice can help with removal of toxic waste and enhance the immune system.
• Minerals such as calcium, copper, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, boron, zinc, iron and selenium help with the elimination of toxins.
• Organic sulphur compounds help to destroy poisonous chemicals and cleanse the bloodstream and liver.
• Anti-inflammatory agents reduce inflammation.
• Polyphenols (the plant molecules which give fruits and vegetables their colour) including the carotonoids (eg, beta carotene, lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin) and flavonoids serve as potent antioxidants.
• Vitamin C and E help with reducing oxidative stress.

Separating fact from fiction

So with all these claims espousing the benefits of juice detoxing, let’s take a closer look and investigate what a juice detox can and can’t achieve.

Rapid weight loss

The weight that is lost consists of water rather than fat. Once your normal eating pattern is resumed, weight is rapidly regained.

Regulating bowel movements

Some people may experience increased constipation due to a lack of fibre in the diet since most of the fibre component of the fruit and vegetables is left behind in the juicing process. Eating one light, fibre-rich meal each day such as a salad and legumes can assist in ensuring proper bowel function.

Increasing energy

Energy levels are usually enhanced following a detoxification program; however, for the duration of the detox you may feel fatigued due to the change in diet and the lack of protein. Include one light meal per day with an easily digested, lean protein source while undertaking the detox to prevent depletion of energy reserves.

Clear skin

Your skin may become clearer following the detox but while on the detox an exacerbation of skin conditions such as acne may occur as toxins are eliminated through the skin. Drink lots of water in addition to the juice in order to help flush the toxins through the kidneys rather than being eliminated through the skin. Ensure you juice lots of green vegetables for their chlorophyll content to help cleanse the blood.