Juicing has been in fashion for a long time. Fruits and/or vegetables go into a machine, the fiber is stripped out, and you are left with the liquid to drink. Yes, fruits and vegetables are healthy. So what’s the problem? Just in case you missed it – THE FIBER IS STRIPPED OUT. Fiber is very important for your digestive system. It is crucial to the health of all the good bacteria in your gut that help regulate your immune system, mood, and even produce certain nutrients for your body. Fiber also helps to regulate blood sugar levels, maintain healthy weight and cholesterol levels, and keep you feeling satiated. Some studies even show good intake of fiber is protective against certain cancers.
Juice “fasts” or “cleanses” advertise benefits of “detoxing” and weight loss. So what happens when all you give your body is juice for a period of days or even weeks? You are depriving yourself of much needed fiber, fat, protein, and overall calories. Yes, you will probably lose some weight, but it will likely come right back once the “cleanse” is over. Perhaps most important to note, part of your weight loss will come from your body breaking down your lean body mass (aka muscle tissue!) for protein— and fluid shifts. During this time you will probably experience hunger/lack of feeling truly satisfied, headaches, severe fluctuations in blood sugar levels, dizziness, fatigue, and your immune system may even take a hit. As far as “detoxing”, your body will do this for you naturally when you eat a balanced diet, exercise, and drink plenty of good old-fashioned water (your kidneys and liver do just fine without juice.)
The best option is to eat your fruits and veggies whole. If you really want a glass of fresh-squeezed juice once in a while (a local passion fruit – yum!) just remember a serving size is only 4oz (half a cup), and we recommend including it as a part of a balanced meal and not stocking it in the house.