9 Facts about Juice Cleanses You Should Know about ...

1. They’re Not a Good Way to Lose Weight

One of the facts about juice cleanses that I learned is that experts feel they’re not ideal for weight loss. The reason being is that limiting your food intake to just juices isn’t sustainable for a long period of time. You’ll lose weight initially because you’re limiting your calorie intake and you’re losing water weight, but once you’re off the cleanse, the weight tends to creep back.

2. They’re a Good Way to Get Some Fruits and Veggies

So while a juice cleanse might not be a good method for weight loss, most agree that it’s a great way to supplement your diet with fruits and vegetables. If you’re pressed for time and don’t often eat well, drinking juice is a quick and easy way to supplement your diet. However, dietitian Jennifer Nelson says that there is no evidence to suggest that juicing is better than eating the whole food. Also, when we juice, we miss out on the skin, seeds and pulp, which contain fiber and other nutrients.

3. They’re Not Filling

Another drawback to doing a juice cleanse is that they’re not filling. I experienced this firsthand when I did a three-day cleanse and by the second day, I was dying to eat a stalk of celery! Some people might not have a problem with drinking just juice for a few days, but keep this in mind before committing to a cleanse!

4. They Have Health Benefits

It’s not all bad news when it comes to doing a juice cleanse, as there are some great health benefits! First off, depending on what fruits and veggies you use, you can get a lot of nutrients that can help with things like reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure and increasing your intake of antioxidants. When you make juice, try to use low-sugar fruits and green vegetables to get the most nutrients and avoid too much sugar.

5. There Isn’t Much Evidence That They Can Detox

Many people start doing juice cleanses to detox their bodies, but can juices really cleanse our bodies? Most doctors disagree, saying that our digestive system, liver and kidneys already do a lot of detoxing on their own so there is no need and no scientific evidence that a juice cleanse can further detox our bodies or do a better job of cleansing than our organs.

6. They Might Enhance Your Appearance

I know you’re gorgeous already, but there are many people who report having clearer skin, brighter eyes and shinier hair as a result of doing a juice cleanse. This might not happen for everyone and there is a variety of reasons why people experienced those things. Perhaps their diet consisted of a lot of processed foods or maybe they were deficient in certain nutrients pre-cleanse. This is a possible positive side effect of a juice cleanse to also keep in mind.

7. They Can Get Expensive

Doing a juice cleanse might seem like a good way to save money on groceries, but it’s not exactly cheap. If you do a juice cleanse through a juice company like Blueprint Cleanse, Suja or Pressed Juicery, even doing a short cleanse can cost over $100. If you decide to do it on your own you’ll need a juicer, which can cost anywhere from $25-$300, plus the cost of produce. If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere where produce is cheap, then you’re good to go!

8. They’re Quick and Easy

Whether you buy your juices or make them yourself, no one can argue that they’re not super quick and simple to make. Instead of spending time in the kitchen cooking vegetables and preparing fruit, you’re able to down your recommended daily allowance of fruits and veggies and then some in a matter of minutes.

9. They’re Not for Everyone

Doing a juice cleanse might seem like a quick and easy way to add some vitamins and minerals to your diet, but it’s not for everyone. People with certain medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease and people undergoing chemotherapy can have adverse reactions to a juice cleanse due to the lack of certain nutrients.

Juice cleanses don’t have too much scientific backing at this point, but there is no doubt that many people have reported lots of positive effects as a result. Everyone’s body is different so one person’s experience can vary greatly from another. If you do decide to give juice cleanses a try, make sure you take the above into consideration before you start. Have you done a juice cleanse before? What was your experience?

Sources: huffingtonpost.com, blog.itriagehealth.com, realsimple.com, timetocleanse.com, huffingtonpost.ca