Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is a part of almost every available cleanse. Each provides the nutrients, fiber and simple biochemical makeup to assist in elimination of waste from the body. Certain cleanses focus more on eating only fruits and vegetables, or juice versions of these, which can be helpful or harmful depending on your current level of health. It is important to work with a trained practitioner to assess whether a cleanse of this nature would be beneficial for improving your health.
History
Cleansing the body goes back to the time of Hippocrates, according to the book, "Herbs for Detoxification" by Karen Bradstreet. She adds that cultures including the Chinese, Indians, and Europeans have practiced detoxification methods over the centuries. Vegetables such as dandelion greens, lettuce and plantain were used by the Pennsylvania Dutch to cleanse their bodies in the spring after a long winter, and cherries, an early spring fruit, are linked to cleansing the bowels and eliminating uric acid buildup.
Significance
Vegetables and fruits provide many vitamins and minerals without containing fat and protein, making cleansing easier for the body. Both vegetables and fruit are broken down easily by the digestive system, which gives the body a chance to eliminate accumulated wastes. They also provide enzymes and fiber, which aid in stimulating and healing digestion and moving waste out of the body.
Features
Depending on what type of cleanse is decided upon, different vegetables and fruits can be chosen to aid in elimination. Green vegetables are helpful for most any cleanse because they contain high amounts of chlorophyll, which is very good for both the liver and kidneys. Fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C, such as lemons, grapefruits and pineapple, along with garlic, are helpful if suffering from excess mucous. Beets and carrots are particularly good for cleansing the liver. Vegetable broth is good for bones and tissues and is also warming to the body as eating low to no protein and fat can bring down the body's temperature quickly.
Time Frame
Depending on which type of cleanse is chosen, a cleanse can be followed anywhere from three days to six weeks. A vegetable and fruit only cleanse should be followed for a short period of time, between three and 10 days. This is because the body needs protein and fat in order to function properly, and muscles and tissues will begin to break down without getting these in the diet. A less restrictive cleanse which focuses on vegetables and fruits, but includes at least some protein and fat, can be followed for a longer period of time, according to Jan Purser and Kathy Snowball in their book, "The Detox Cookbook: Cleansing for Food Lovers." They recommend cleansing for four, and up to, six weeks.
Considerations
A vegetable and fruit cleanse is not suitable for everyone. Although consuming more vegetables and fruits is almost always a good idea, removing foods that contain good fats and protein can be harmful to the system, especially if currently suffering from malnutrition, blood sugar issues including diabetes, or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Also, growing children should not embark on an only vegetable and fruit cleanse. Check with your doctor before starting this, or any other, diet.
References
- "Herbs for Detoxification"; Karen Bradstreet; 1997
- "Healthy Healing"; Linda Page; 1997
- "The Detox Cookbook: Cleansing for Food Lovers"; Jan Purser and Kathy Snowball; 2005
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