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Hey there, beautiful juicy babes! We hope you are staying safe and healthy during this time. Today we’re addressing one of the questions we receive most frequently: why should I do a juice cleanse? Before we get into all of the reasons we recommend trying out a juice cleanse, let's touch base. What exactly is a juice cleanse?
A juice cleanse is a period 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.
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.
There are lots of great reasons and potential perks that come along with juicing. Here are 9 incredible reasons to try a juice cleanse:
Fresh juice, which consists of fruits and vegetables, is packed with nutrients. Drinking juice amplifies the amount of vitamins, minerals, and other anti-inflammatory compounds you’re able to get into your body at one time. A study from the University of Reading found that there were higher levels of Vitamin C in juices than blended drinks, like smoothies. [1] This means that juicing allows you to intake far more vitamins than usual, even if you normally consume healthy foods and follow a clean diet.
Research from Texas A&M University discovered a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity in the blood of individuals who consistently drank carrot juice over a span of 3 months. [2] As a result, there was a boost in antioxidant activity in the bloodstream. Furthermore, juices contain micronutrients, which have a key role in metabolism and sustaining tissue function.
In summary: 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.
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 head of the global health division at Lycored, Golan Raz, explains, "Diverse fruits and vegetables contain different groups of nutrients. The 'secret' can be found in combining the types that are naturally synergistic; in other words, will work in cooperation to provide us with a safe and natural cleansing effect." Detoxing is essential for flushing waste and toxins from the body, and the right diet is essential to work alongside that process. Summary: The diverse array of nutrients in juice assist the organs in detoxification.
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.
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.
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. [3] Check out our Immune Boosting Programme, Gut Restore Beginner Cleanse, and other cleanses if you're interested in these awesome ingredients!
Over half of the world's population is dehydrated, drinking significantly less than the recommended 8.5 cups per day (by the European Hydration Institute). This is crucial because even a decrease of 1% of our body's water content can negatively affect organ functions, cognitive ability, and overall mood. [4] 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.
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 carbsand 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. [5] In the study, participants lost a significant amount of weight after a 3-day cleanse, and retained a decreased body weight after 2 weeks (compared to the baseline weight). While juice cleanses are not a magic weight loss pill, they definitely help.
A break from foods that aren't the best for your body can also help clear your mind while resetting your diet. 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. This increased clarity is also an evolutionary reaction to a state of deprivation as the body begins redirecting energy away from digestions towards the five senses - in preparation to hunt. While this reaction may not be “useful'' in it’s primal sense, the increased levels of sensory awareness are something spectacular to be experienced.
As discussed, a main advantage of juicing is how easy it is on the gut, aiding in digestion and allowing the digestive system to absorb nutrients quickly. Since digestion is made easier for the body, the energy that would normally be used to break down foods can be redirected and focused into healing other tissues and organs. Juicing gives the body a break and allows it to reset, putting energy towards functions that may be overlooked when there is too much to take care of. As a result, the body can perform activities to heal and restore organs that need it.
To recap, juice cleanses are amazing for:
If you’re interested and would like to know even more about juicing with Nourish’d, check out the link below for more info about juice cleanses. If you think you’re ready for one of our cleanses, head to our products to see which one best suits you. We hope this was helpful and that you have a lovely day!
Love,
Nourish’d
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