Although there isn't any one specific "healthy juice detoxification diet," various juice detox diets or cleanses are promoted as a way to purge your body of unwanted toxins and to help you lose weight. Juice diets contain many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and can be beneficial for short periods. However, most health experts believe that detox diets often aren't necessary and may even be harmful in some cases.
Identification
The concept of cleansing and purifying the body through special diets and fasts has been around for thousands of years in most cultures around the world. A juice detox consists of consuming solely or mostly fruit and vegetable juices, preferably prepared from organic fresh or frozen ingredients. The typical juice detox lasts from one to three days, although some proponents use them for up to three weeks or longer.
Claims
Several benefits have been attributed to juice diets, including ridding your body of a buildup of chemicals and pollutants that can lead to cancer and other diseases. Proponents also say juice diets result in more energy, fewer headaches, an improved complexion, less bloating and increased weight loss. The nonprofit Nemours Foundation Center for Children's Health Media cautions there's no scientific proof that any detox diet will help rid your body of toxins faster or make you healthier.
Types
One of the most popular variations of a juice detox diet is the Master Cleanse, developed in the 1940s and touted in a best-selling book in the 1970s, where you consume only a cocktail made from organic maple syrup, fresh-squeezed lemon or lime juice, cayenne pepper and water. Another is the "21 Pounds in 21 Days" diet, which requires you to consume herbal tea, vegetable soup, or a green-vegetable or berry drink every two hours. Dr. Elson Haas developed a version of the juice detox that combines 12 to 14 hours of juices and fasting, followed by one regular meal. The "Three-Day Detox" uses only raw vegetables and fruits for two days followed by one day of juice.
Expert Insight
Dr. Mary Gavin, of the Nemours Foundation, points out that your body is perfectly capable of purifying itself and your organs can do the job they're intended to do -- if you eat a regular, balanced diet that includes plenty of fiber, fruits, vegetables and water. Juice diets can play a positive healthful role under doctor-supervised therapy. One German study published in the "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" in August 2005, described hospital patients with chronic diseases and pain who participated in a protocol including a seven-day juice fast. The researchers, led by A. Michalsen, reported that 78 percent of fasting patients reported improvement of their health, and the team concluded that fasting can be a safe and effective part of an inpatient integrative treatment program.
Warning
Registered dietician Keri Glassman, appearing on the CBS News "Early Show" program, warned that many of the so-called cleansing diets lack essential nutrients, such as protein, iron and electrolytes, and may result in starving your body. These diets aren't recommended for teenagers, pregnant women or people with diabetes, heart disease, or other chronic medical conditions. Detox diets can also be hard on your waistline -- if you fast for a long time, you may actually slow your metabolism down and make it harder to keep the weight off or to lose weight later.
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