A raw vegetable juice diet derives most or all of its calories from natural, whole vegetables that have been transformed into juice. It is used mostly as a detox diet to aid the kidneys, liver and colon in flushing out toxins and poisons from your system. Detox diets have not been scientifically proven to work, so you should be aware of their limitations.
Purpose
A vegetable juice diet is intended to boost the efficacy of your immune system, metabolism and energy. This is purported to have the ability to eliminate waste. Vegetables are also quite low in calories --- a single cup may only contain between 50 and 100 calories --- and therefore quite appealing for the purpose of weight loss.
Nutrients
Vegetables are an important source of many nutrients such as potassium, folic acid, dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C. The potassium found in tomato juice and beet greens helps to maintain healthy blood pressure. Folic acid found in all kinds of leafy vegetables helps the body to form red blood cells. Vitamin A from carrots and broccoli plays a role in vision, bone health and immune functions. Vitamin C from tomato juice, broccoli and peppers helps heal cuts and wounds and keeps teeth healthy. Vitamin E from tomatoes and leafy green vegetables helps protect vitamin A and essential fatty acids from oxidation. The ability to protect molecules from oxidation --- known as an antioxidant --- essentially means that it prevents the molecule form being burned away.
Meals
Vegetable juice can generally be consumed at any time of the day. However, you should keep your diet varied; it is the only way to get the required amount of nutrients. Five or six small meals a day should suffice, with two to four glasses of juice per meal. For example, you can have carrot, tomato and parsley juice for a single meal. You can also combine vegetables together if you prefer different flavors. Beet, carrot and celery may be combined, or carrot, onion and parsley.
Considerations
Vegetable juice can be made with a simple juicer, or it can be bought from the store in a specialized blend. Some store-bought juice may lack fiber, an indigestible component of plant cells that adds bulk to the diet and slows absorption of sugar. Without fiber, the juice will speed up the digestion and absorption in your body. This can be beneficial by quickly clearing out your system.
Time Frame
If you are drinking vegetable juice as an exclusive source of your calories, then the diet is only recommended for one to three days. Long term, it may lead to deficiencies of such nutrients as protein, calcium and vitamin B12, which are found almost exclusively in animal products. However, you can still incorporate raw vegetable juice into a regular diet that is both balanced and healthy.
Member Comments