Juice
fasting is a type of fasting diet where an
individual only consumes juice created from both fruits and or
vegetables.
This
technique is commonly used as a Detox diet, which is done to clean out
organs
in the body that have built up contaminants and toxins. I personally
enjoy
juice fasting because it leaves me feeling more alive and ready to take
on my
day.
Juice fasting is normally associated with a Detox diet, in order to
promote
health considering less energy is required to digest food while juice
fasting.
Because of this, the body may focus its resources on cleaning out
toxins that
have built up over time.
Because toxins can accumulate in many
different parts
of the body, certain juice fast diets target specific areas of the
body. Some
juice fast diets target the kidneys, liver, urinary tract, and even the
skin.
The immune system and the brain can also be stimulated by juice
fasting, which
will leave you healthier and feeling better than ever.
In addition to detoxifying certain organs, juice fasting has many other
benefits. Some perform a juice fast for religious purposes, while
others may do
it just to shed some extra weight.
Juice fasting may also help to kick
a bad
habit, such as smoking, over eating, or even an addiction to caffeine.
Juice
fasting is also an alternative medicine practice, used for illnesses
ranging
from depression to cancer.
A Detox diet can vary in the amount of time it is practiced, and some
people
even indulge in week long fasting periods up to two times a year.
Some
perform
monthly juice fasts that last only a couple of days, while others
actually make
a vacation out of it and travel to exotic locations like Thailand. I
like to
fast once or twice a year, since it takes about six months for toxins
to
accumulate in the blood stream.
Most fruits and vegetables do not contain fiber in the juice form, so
it is
sometimes necessary to stimulate certain organs in order to have bowel
movements. Some fasters use enemas to speed up the process, while
others take
an herbal or saltwater laxative to help with stimulation.
One method
that works
great at stimulating the colon and intestines to expel waste is to
include
psyllium husks in the juicer, since they are able to create enough bulk
to make
enough waste to stimulate the necessary organs. I personally like to
take a
supplement with fiber, because it gives your body everything it needs
to
function normally.
There are many different fruits and vegetables that offer great health
benefits, but not all of them work during a juice fast. Certain greens
work
great in a juicer, such as parsley, kale, and spinach. Broccoli and
cabbage
also work great, and can add a unique flavor to the juice.
Some root
vegetables, such as sweet potatoes and carrots work great in juice
fasts, since
they offer great nutritional value and also taste great. Grapes,
apples, and
citrus fruits offer a great amount of juice, and can sweeten up your
juice
fasting experience.
Spearmint, peppermint, ginger, and green onion are
a few of
the herbs that taste great in juice, along with wheatgrass, fennel, and
even
basil. I personally love carrots and citrus fruits, because they have a
tart
yet sweet flavor.
Juice fasts do not have any direct side effects, as long as the
individual
fasting is taking care of their body. Even though juice from fruits and
vegetables provides our body with various vitamins and minerals, it is
sometimes necessary to also include a multivitamin to give the body
everything
it needs. As long as the body is getting everything it needs to
function, juice
fasting can provide the body with great health benefits.