Apples provide a wealth of nutrients in a small, convenient and delicious package. Apple juice preserves some of the yearly fall apple bounty and is widely enjoyed as a beverage. It is also valued by some health experts for its purported medicinal qualities. Some components of apple juice may assist with detoxification. Consult your doctor about using apple juice for detox purposes or to treat a medical condition.
Kidney Stones
Apple juice helps dissolve kidney stones and can be taken along with hydrangea root and gravel root, two other herbs commonly used for preventing and treating urinary tract disorders, according to naturopath Bruce Fife, author of "The Detox Book: How to Detoxify Your Body to Improve Your Health, Stop Disease and Reverse Aging." Apple juice alternated with lemon juice can relieve the pain associated with kidney stones and help prevent kidney stones from forming, says nutritionist Phyllis Balch, in her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing."
Gallstones
Apple juice is included in detoxification programs for the gallbladder for its ability to soften gallstones in preparation for a purging procedure. Some gallbladder purges recommend as much as one liter per day of apple juice for a week at a time, followed by ingestion of a large quantity of olive oil, according to Cherie Chalbom, M.S., author of the book "The Complete Cancer Cleanse: A Proven Program to Detoxify and Renew Body, Mind and Spirit." If you do not wish to drink that much apple juice or olive oil, or if you have health concerns related to blood sugar levels or calorie content of large quantities of apple juice, you can still get gallbladder benefits by making fresh apple juice a part of your diet. Consult your doctor before making any diet or lifestyle changes.
Vitamin C
Apples provide moderate quantities of vitamin C, considered by some experts to be the most important nutrient for detoxification. Vitamin C is effective at neutralizing a variety of toxins, including industrial chemicals and compounds that occur naturally in plants. Its broad-spectrum of detoxifying effects makes it a standout among detoxifying supplements. One medium-sized apple provides about 8 milligrams of vitamin C. Some brands of commercial apple juice are fortified with extra vitamin C to equal the recommended daily allowance per 8-ounce serving, which is 75 milligrams for women and 90 milligrams for men. If you are preparing your own apple juice for a detoxification or cleanse program, be sure to buy organic apples and include the skins, where half the vitamin C is stored.
Pectin
Pectin, a soluble fiber in apples, assists detoxification by absorbing large amounts of water that improve your bowel function and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in your intestinal tract. Pectin protects you from overgrowth of pathogens such as bacteria and yeast and also prevents cancer-causing substances from being absorbed or accumulating in your intestinal tract, according to Earl Mindell, Ph.D., author of the book "Greens Are Good for You!"
References
- "The Detox Book: How to Detoxify Your Body to Improve Your Health, Stop ..."; Bruce Fife; 1997
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch; 2006
- "The Complete Cancer Cleanse: A Proven Program to Detoxify and Renew Body .."; Cherie Calbom, et al.; 2007
- University of Illinois Extension: Apples and More
- "Greens Are Good for You!"; Earl Mindell, 2002
- American Cancer Society; Vitamin C; May 2010
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