Juice cleanses have been hailed a weight loss hero by many over the years, but are they safe for everyone to do them? Experts explain that if a person lacks nutrients from fruit and vegetables, their bodies may benefit from a liquid detox.
The premise of a juice cleanse is simple; by drinking only juices from fruits and vegetables over a designated period will supposedly help a person lose weight.
These juices are full of nutrients, vitamins, and phytonutrients – the compounds with antioxidant potential.
Some newer trends now incorporate solid food into the routine, adding fibre to a person’s diet.
And while Alicia Romano, a clinical dietitian at Tufts Medical Centre in Boston, explained that healthy people’s bodies will naturally cleanses themselves, some people may need a little help.
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Many juice cleanses promise weight loss due to their low-calorie ingredients.
Tinsay A. Woreta, a liver specialist and assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, explained: “You’re relying on a diet consisting solely of fruits and vegetables.
“It makes sense that you would lose weight in the short term.”
Anyone hoping to try juicing should consult their doctor to see if it is safe to do so.