People undertake a juice fast for a variety of reasons, and most are operating under misinformation. There is no evidence that juice fasts are effective for most of their proposed purposes, and many experts go so far as to say they are ineffective at best, dangerous at worst. Juice fasts involve consuming only fresh fruit and vegetable juice from a day or two to a week or more -- although they are marginally safer than extended complete fasts, due to the nutrients in the juice, they should not be attempted lightly.
Weight Loss
Most juice fast regimens are advertised as weight loss solutions, and they may work temporarily. The high fiber and water content will flush water from your body and increase bowel movements, resulting in a loss of water weight and fecal weight. This weight will return when you resume a normal diet. You caloric intake will be low enough to cause actual weight loss, but it's likely to be from muscle mass, which is a more accessible form of stored energy than fat. Reduced muscle mass means your body will burn fewer calories, resulting in easier weight gain when the fast ends.
Detox/Cleansing
Whether it's marketed for weight loss or not, juice fast plans invariably claim detoxification and colon cleansing benefits. Unless you are routinely exposed to heavy metals or radiation, your body doesn't need detoxification. According to Mayo Clinic nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky, there isn't even any evidence that juice affects toxin levels at all. A healthy person's liver and kidneys remove all the toxins that need to be removed, without extra help. Many juice fast plans tell you that you have several pounds of "impacted fecal matter" in your colon that the juice will help remove, but the human colon has been exhaustively studied, examined and dissected, and nothing like that has ever been found. Your colon empties out when you have a bowel movement.
Healing
Some juice fast proponents claim that juice fasting promotes healing and can help reduce disease. While the high levels of vitamins you'll ingest can indeed make your body healthier, it will not cure any medical condition, except perhaps a vitamin deficiency. In fact, the calorie restriction and lack of protein may actually slow healing. Healing is hard work for your body, which needs all the nutrients it can get during illness or injury. Juice fasting is also contraindicated for many medical conditions, so consult your doctor before attempting one.
Spiritual
People have undergone periodic fasting for spiritual purposes for centuries. This type of fasting may involve anything from complete abstinence from anything other than water to skipping a single meal per day. Juice fasts are common, as they provide enough nutrients to extend the fast longer than a few days yet are restricted enough to promote spiritual development. In this manner, a juice fast is used to promote self discipline and allow the adherent to feel closer to his God through suffering and deprivation. Juice fasts are very effective for this purpose, and are routine in many parts of the world, especially during holy days.
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