While there are dozens of different types of cleanses out there to help you meet different goals, the juice cleanse is by far the most popular option. It has been gaining in popularity since the 1990s, and for good reason, but why should you do a juice cleanse?
While this type of cleansing was brought into the public eye by celebrities trying it out and raving about it, there are thousands of people that use it today. It is a wonderful go-to quick shape-up tool that can help you to lose a few pounds, and kickstart a new and exciting health journey.
With all of the benefits associated with the juice cleanse, it is no surprise that thousands of people swear by it!
Not only can a juice cleanse help you to shed some pounds quickly and efficiently, but it can also help you to improve your mental health immensely, revamp your physical health, and overall enhance your quality of life!
A Word of Caution Regarding Juice Cleanses
Now, the juice cleanse isn’t all “rainbows and sunshine” all the time- there are some drawbacks and potential hazards associated with consuming only juices for a period of time.
That being said, the benefits you can gain from this diet far outweigh any of the potential ill effects you might experience.
If you are considering trying out a juice cleanse, there is no better time than the present to start planning and preparing for one! If you run into any serious health problems while doing a cleanse, you can quit at any time.
Juice Cleanses Improve Your Overall Health!
There are so many diet choices out there, so it can be incredibly hard to know what is the right choice for your health.
A juice cleanse is kind of like an ‘A to Z’ diet- it can help alleviate problems associated with your mental health, your physical health, and even get rid of any topical skin problems.
The juice from fruits and vegetables will help your body to ‘reset’ and flush out any harmful toxins that have accumulated inside of you. Toxins can get into your body from the environment, from the makeup you use, or from the foods and beverages you consume each day.
While there is no way to avoid toxins, there are ways to help your body expel them more quickly and efficiently- through cleansing!
Not only does a juice cleanse help you to lose a few pounds, but it can truly improve your life in many different areas.
Juice Cleansing Can Help You Kick Unhealthy Cravings and Habits
Juice cleansing can help you to move on from any unhealthy cravings you feel like you just can’t say no to.
If you find yourself longing for sugary, fatty foods late at night when you aren’t even truly hungry, then this is a telltale sign that you need to change part of your diet, and try a juice cleanse!
There are many success stories across the internet from people who have suffered from sugar addictions. Even after juice cleansing for three short days, you can stop feeling those pesky cravings that lead you to binge and feel unhealthy and sluggish.
Not only that, but doing a juice cleanse will leave you feeling lighter and more energized- processed sugary foods will never provide you with such a sustainable, high feeling.
Multiple Mental Health Benefits
Did you know that the foods you choose to put in your body every day can hugely impact your mental state?
While it makes total sense that ‘you are what you eat,’ many people don’t make this connection. Many Americans simply believe they feel mental fog due to genetic predisposition- even if they are eating a very unhealthy diet that is void of fruits and vegetables!
I’m here to tell you that that is not true at all. While genetics do play a huge role in who we are as people, so does the external environment- and that includes the things you consume!
Juice cleansing can promote emotional wellness on many levels. The countless vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that your body receives from the juice of various fruits and vegetables can work wonders.
These may help reduce your dependence on substances like caffeine, alcohol, or drugs that are not doing your health any long-term favors.
Many people that have tried and succeeded in juice cleansing attest that by the third day, you will feel enhanced mental clarity and elevated emotional well-being. Juice cleansing has also been known to help reduce anxiety and depression!
Many Physical Health Benefits
Trying out a juice-only cleanse can have far-reaching effects on your physical health. It can even work wonders in improving your outward appearance!
Consuming the juices of fruits and vegetables for about a week will inundate your body with amazing vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.
These compounds will help your body to achieve equilibrium- your skin will start to show a healthy glow, your acne, and other potential problem areas will begin to fade away, and your dry or oily skin will begin to reach a happy middle ground.
While it may seem too good to be true that simply drinking juice for a week or so will solve all of these physical annoyances- plant power is very real and should not be underestimated!
The only way to find out what you can gain from a juice cleanse is to plan, prepare, and execute one for yourself!
Juice cleansing will also help you to achieve any weight loss goal you may have. While a cleanse is typically short-lived, it can still lead you to drop a few pounds and set you up for success in weight loss down the road.
An object in motion stays in motion, and when you begin to nourish your body with healthy fruits and vegetables, that is what your body will begin to crave instead of sugar-loaded junk foods!
The Benefits Outweigh the Potential Drawbacks
While there are a few potential drawbacks to juice cleansing, these are no match for the benefits you will take away from the experience. Drawbacks may include hunger, fatigue, or dizziness- resulting from the lack of protein and fiber you are receiving during the cleanse.
While these symptoms may seem daunting, the truth is that you can tailor your cleanse to suit your health needs! While the idea of juice cleanses is that you only consume juice during it, it can vary in practice!
Constricting yourself to only consuming juice doesn’t have to be the case if you cannot handle it. For example, maybe you are an athlete and require a little bit of protein thrown into the mix.
You can still get all of the benefits from a juice to cleanse, even if you change it up a little bit to suit your lifestyle!
Set Yourself Up For Success
If you are thinking about trying a juice cleanse, now is the perfect time to start planning for one! Once you figure out what your personal health goals are, you can plan your cleanse accordingly to help you achieve those goals. You will need to figure out a few things:
- How long do you want to cleanse for?
- Do you want to juice at home, or buy pre-packaged juices?
- If you are juicing from home, what ingredients and quantities will you need?
Once you figure out the answers to the essential questions above, you can start making your grocery list and head to the store!
If you suffer from intense sugar cravings, it can be very helpful to get all of the junk foods out of your house before starting your cleanse. By doing this, you are removing the temptations, and increasing your chances of having a successful cleanse!
If these foods aren’t staring you down when you open the fridge or pantry, you won’t think twice about them!
Ending Your Cleanse, And Returning to “Normal” Foods
Right after you’ve completed your cleanse, you should feel very proud and accomplished! You have done something amazing and proactive for your own self-improvement, and that is never an easy task.
In the first few days following the end of your cleanse, it is important to be very health-conscious about what you are consuming.
Veterans of the juice cleanse will suggest that you start out by fueling your body with mostly whole foods- this includes a lot of raw fruits and raw or lightly steamed vegetables. These should take up the majority of your plate, at least in your first few days back to normal foods!
It is also a good idea to continue abstaining from drinking coffee or alcohol, and refrain from eating many (or any!) highly processed foods, meat, gluten, or dairy. After successfully completing a juice cleanse, this should be a cakewalk!
Many people do not experience the cravings that they felt before doing the juice cleanse. Use this to your advantage and continue eating as healthily as possible! Doing this will help you to really get the most benefit from your juice cleanse.
You will be continuing to practice healthy eating habits long after the cleanse has come to an end.
Final Thoughts on Juice Cleansing
Now you better understand some of the benefits and drawbacks of a juice cleanse. Remember to research your juice plan and make sure it fits your needs. Any concerns should be discussed with your doctor or nutritionist.
We want you to have a healthy juicing experience.
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7 Best Juicing Recipe Books to Get You Started