Juice dieting is a form of fasting that involves drinking only juices, broths, and water. Many juice diets are followed by creating homemade juice from raw or whole foods (fruits and vegetables). Many adults believe a juice diet will help cleanse the body of harmful toxins accumulated in the body either from the environment or poor eating habits and a juice diet is oftentimes used as a weight loss program or as a combination of cleansing and weight loss.
Benefits of a Juice Diet
Although a juice diet is a form of fasting, juice dieting provides some benefits that fasts do not.
- A juice diet offers small amounts of carbohydrates that can be used for energy and may prevent low blood sugar levels.
- Since small amounts of carbohydrates, calories, vitamins, and minerals are consumed on a juice diet, there is less of a chance of muscle waste such as there is with fasting.
- A juice diet can be relatively inexpensive if one does their own juicing and the ingredients needed are readily available in any supermarket.
Risks of Juice Diets
While juice dieting can produce quick weight loss, the risks can outweigh the benefits. A few potential drawbacks of a juice diet include:
- Juice diets are typically very low-calorie diets. It is incredibly difficult to obtain all the nutrients the body needs when calories are severely restricted.
- The rapid weight loss that can occur on a juice diet is usually only water loss and the weight is typically regained once solid food is reintroduced into the diet or when normal eating habits are continued.
- Ketosis can occur due to severe calorie restriction since the body breaks down muscle and fat to use as energy instead of carbohydrates. The formation of ketones in the body can cause organ failure, gout, kidney stones or kidney failure.
- Using a juice diet to lose weight does not address the lifestyle changes that are key to long-term weight loss, such as making healthy food choices and engaging in frequent physical activity.
Who Should Avoid Juice Diets
While consuming only juice or broth for a couple of days may not cause problems for otherwise healthy individuals, those who suffer from diabetes or heart-related illnesses may risk dangerous health consequences as a result of juice dieting and should avoid these types of diets.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Anyone considering a juice diet should first consult with a physician or nutritionist.
 |
