Detox

The word ‘Detox’ has been thrown around for years and some say, is fast becoming a dirty word. People assume that eating and drinking certain detoxifying foods will then automatically rid the body of certain toxins.

This isn’t the case. Our internal organs should be doing this.

There are steps to take though that can help support these organs which do so much for our body. A great way to support our detoxing organs is a Juice Fast.

What is a Juice Fast?

A juice fast is a certain time frame where someone replaces eating solid foods with raw juice and/or broths. This is to  bring the body back into its natural state by removing health-compromising processed substances such as sugar, refined oil and food cooked at high temperatures. Additionally, there is no consumption of alcohol, caffeine or other toxins during a cleanse period.

This can be hard for a lot of people and you can start to experience many withdrawal symptoms so it’s best to do it around a quiet time in your life.

Why is a Juice Fast so Good?

Juicing extracts the vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables making them more accessible for the body to digest. The liquid nourishment is easily absorbed by the digestive system allowing the gut to rest while nourishing the cells and flushing out waste/stuck particles from the colon.

Read our article comparing cold press juicers vs slow juicers and masticating juicers.

There are a lot of reasons why we love a good juice fast. We have listed the main reasons below.

Increased Overall Health

By juicing you’re able to take in way more nutrients than normal, and people who juice regularly have higher levels of antioxidants in their blood.

Aids in the Detoxification Process

Detoxification is a natural process that the body is constantly undergoing, and juice cleanses can help accelerate this process. While juice itself doesn’t “detox”, the nutrients found inside  support organs involved in detoxing. The diverse array of nutrients in juice assist the organs in detoxification.

Improves Digestion

For hundreds of thousands of years our ancestors would be forced to fast. No cold-storage, changing seasons and a lack of prey meant that our guts and bodies would get regular opportunities to rest and recharge as the digestive system would shut down and energy would be redirected to healing other parts of the body. Fasting is a great way to mimic this ancient process. Not only are you giving the digestive system a break but you’re flooding it with bioavailable nutrients that can be absorbed directly into the stomach lining. This is the reason why juice fasts have proven hugely beneficial to those suffering from leaky gut syndrome.

Juices also contain enzymes that are amazing for digestion. Vitamin C, found in citrus and berries, is great for supporting oral health and helps with iron absorption. Vitamin A indirectly benefits digestion by keeping the gastrointestinal tract healthy. Ginger is known to accelerate the process by which nutrients move from the stomach to the small intestine which can ease side effects of slow digestion and remedy nausea and pain. Another common juice ingredient, turmeric, is amazing for the health of gut bacteria and has been used to treat gastric disorders for centuries.

Increased Energy

Since juice cleanses are rich in incredible life-giving nutrients, you will feel fueled with long-lasting energy before and after your cleanse, rather than from caffeine rushes that come on a high and result in an energy crash. Enzymes and other necessary substances in juices are swiftly and easily absorbed to energise the body and refresh the mind.

Reduces Inflammation

Research has shown that a plant-based diet paired with juice cleansing can significantly reduce inflammation. Processed foods, meat, dairy, and alcohol contain substances that are toxic for the body, and in response, inflammation occurs. By taking a break from such toxins, the body can repair cells and detox while providing it with the nutrients and vitamins it needs. Additionally, fresh juice contains high levels of antioxidants, which bind to free radicals, further healing the body and reducing inflammation. Juices with turmeric, ginger, and cayenne are especially suitable for boosting anti-inflammatory benefits.

Aids in Weight Loss

Juice cleanses can help develop a healthier, more balanced diet and good habits. There is a natural weight loss process that results from removing processed foods, saturated fats, and refined carbs and long-lasting benefits which occur from the reduced cravings post-cleanse. A study from the University of California, Los Angeles, showed that a juice cleansing can promote the growth of intestinal microbiota which assist in weight loss.

Hydration

During juice cleanses the increased intake of fluids allows the body to function much more effectively while energising and detoxifying the entire system at the same time. It is important to continue drinking water throughout the cleanse for further hydration and detoxification. Juicing and regularly consuming healthy fluids will contribute to healing cells, healthy skin, and improved mood.

Clarity of mind

Fasting can be a period of reflection on your current lifestyle and will hopefully encourage you to kick-start some healthy habits as you are able to more clearly and objectively observe your psychological relationship with food.

Happy Detoxing and Juicing!

View our juice recipes!