The Major Benefits Of A Juice Cleanse
What is a Juice Cleanse
Before I get started explaining some of the key benefits of a juice cleanse, let me explain what one is. A juice cleanse is a period of time where someone replaces eating solid foods with raw juice and/or smoothies. This is to bring the body back into its natural state by removing processed substances such as sugar, refined carbs, as well as alcohol, caffeine, meat and dairy. Everyone goes through periods of time when you end up eating too much of the wrong kind of foods and drinks, and nowhere near enough fresh fruits and vegetables. Juice cleansing is a fantastic way for you to supply your body with raw, nutrient-rich juices and smoothies consistently over a period of days, so you can clean your gut from all the residual toxins, clear your mind and start feeling better physically and mentally.
My Top 5 Reasons Why Juicing Is Good For You
1 - Improved 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. Whilst the digestive system had no food to process, your bodies energy would be redirected to healing other parts of the body. Juicing is a great way to mimic this process, but not only are you giving the digestive system a break but you’re flooding it with nutrients that can be absorbed directly into the stomach lining.
2 - Aids In Healthy Weight Loss
It doesn’t take a genius to realise that there is a natural weight loss process that happens when you remove processed foods, saturated fats, and refined carbs from your diet. However, studies have shown that juicing promotes the growth of intestinal microbiota which assist in weight loss. In the study, participants lost a significant amount of weight after a 3-day cleanse, and retained a decreased body weight after 2 weeks. Juicing isn’t a magic weight loss pill, but they definitely help.
3 - Repair Damaged Tissues
Much like what I referenced in point 1, juicing makes digestion easier on the body so the energy that would normally be used to break down foods can be redirected and focused into healing other tissues and organs. Giving the body a much needed break by allowing the gut to reset, energy will be put towards functions that may be overlooked when there is too much to take care of.
4 - A Clearer Mind
A break from foods that aren't the best for your body can also help clear your mind. Fasting can be a period of reflection on your current lifestyle and can encourage some other healthy habits. The increased clarity is due to an evolutionary reaction from the body redirecting energy away from digestions towards the five senses. This dates back again to our ancestors, the increased levels of awareness were perfect for hunting.
5 - Reduces Inflammation
Research has shown that juice cleansing can significantly reduce inflammation. Processed foods, meat, dairy, and alcohol contain substances that are toxic for the body, which causes inflammation. Juicing gives you a break from such toxins, allowing the body to repair cells and detox while providing it with the nutrients and vitamins it needs.