Fact or fad?Juice Cleansing
We’ve all heard it before, that friend with an upcoming event they think they need to slim down for, or the barfly who wants to give their liver a reset after a few too many nights on the town. Their solution? A juice cleanse. Sounds promising right? Fresh juice, and only fresh juice for a period usually longer than 24 hours in an effort to “detoxify” or “cleanse” our body and shed a few pounds in the process.
Let’s dig a little deeper into what’s really going on. First and foremost, your liver and kidneys have already beat you to the punch! Surprise! That’s their full time job. To detoxify and remove harmful or unusable materials we consume in our diet. You don’t even have to ask nicely, they just do it for fun. Aside from limiting alcohol consumption and drinking plenty of water, there’s not too much you can do to boost the performance of your liver and kidneys.
There’s no question, when it comes to drinking juice, fresh squeezed or freshly juiced fruits and vegetables are the way to go. It cuts out all that added sugar and provides something a little more tasty than just plain old drinking water. But when you cut everything else out, and drink ONLY juice, you’re eliminating that fabulous fiber and a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants. It can vary, but generally juices are very low in calories and other important nutrients that help you feel full and satisfied. So, it’s no secret that while “cleansing” you will shed a few pounds. You’re initiating a large calorie deficit, and making frequent trips to the bathroom. But as soon as you resume your usual diet, those pounds will happily join you once again. You can also expect to be fatigued, irritable, and hangry during a juice cleanse or fast so make sure let your friends and family know and apologize in advance for your emotional outbursts.
The final verdict? Fad. There’s no research that makes any substantial claims about juice cleansing or fasting. If you’ve been drinking more than your fair share of alcohol or sneaking a few too many trips to McDonalds, replace a meal with a smoothie containing whole fruits such as bananas, avocado, or berries. Toss in some greens, oats, Greek yogurt, or protein powder and feel satisfied for hours. Go for an extra lap around the block while you’re at it and cleanse your mind instead. Bottom line, you shouldn’t feel pressure to look a certain way for special events, or to feel like you need to rid your body of anything that’s not supposed to be there. Rock your favorite outfit, be kind to yourself and others, and let your confidence do the talking.