Types of Fruit Juices to Fast With

Types of Fruit Juices to Fast With
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Juice fasting, very popular with people interested in weight loss and detoxification, presents a broad collection of combinations to use for various specific benefits. The cleansing power of fruit juice, for example, nourishes the body with live enzymes, according to juicefasting.org. Such enzymes improve a sluggish immune system and aid in the burning of fat cells.

Various Fruit Benefits

In addition to the detoxification that occurs with fruit juice fasting in general, there are also specific benefits that come with certain fruits. apple juice helps the liver and gastrointestinal tract while grapes cleanse the colon, states Detox-guide.com. Help for the kidneys comes from watermelon juicing, and papaya addresses hemorrhoids, colitis and indigestion through increased enzyme growth. Finally, black cherry juice aids in regulating menstrual problems.

Guidelines

Juice fasting should only involve fresh fruit juices, according to juicing-for-health.com. Canned juices sold off the shelf feature sugar, additives and preservatives -- all of which are harmful to the fasting process and undermine the attempts at detoxification. Juicing machines, the preferred means of creating juices, allow you to mix and match these juices in a variety of recipes. In fact, varying juices through the course of the day is an essential part of a balanced and nutritious fast.

Lemon Juice Recipe

One of the most popular recipes for a fast comes courtesy of detox-guide.com. Lemon juice fasting offers both weight loss benefits and effective cleansing. Combine 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice with 8 ounces of purified water. If this mixture proves too sour, add maple syrup for flavor. A further addition of cayenne pepper offers powerful healing for mucous membranes but may be more than some can handle. The recommendation for this juice is a minimum of 10 glasses a day, but no more than 12.

Exercise Caution

Periods of fasting should not exceed 5 to 10 days and not occur more frequently than once every three months, warns detox-guide.com. Underweight or malnourished individuals should refrain from juice fasting, as should pregnant or lactating mothers, advanced cancer patients and children. Additionally, you should consult your physician before beginning a juice fast and abide by the limitations they set on your fasting plans. Most physicians will provide a list of side effects that should be regarded as the basis for ending the fasting and these must be closely followed.

References

Article reviewed by Gina Skurchak Last updated on: May 26, 2011

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