Juice Fasting And Raw Food

Juice fasts and raw food diets are detoxification diets intended to promote health and help you lose weight. Although few studies have been performed on the benefits of either approach, proponents of the two diets claim a variety of health benefits ranging from improved digestion to increased mental clarity. For best results, talk to your doctor about the possible benefits and ramifications of adopting a juice fast or raw food diet.

Juice Fasting

Juice fasts are restricted diets that involve subsisting on juices made from vegetables and fruits. Although the duration of the diet can differ depending on the specific program, most diets are at least three to six days in length to allow for full gastric emptying of predigested foods. Since no clinical trials have been performed on the specific health benefits of juice fasting, dieters are forced to rely on the claims of its proponents, which can range from weight loss and balanced pH levels to restored liver function and internal cleansing.

Raw Food Diet

The raw food diet is a low-calorie detoxification program that involves consuming up to 75 to 80 percent of your daily caloric intake in uncooked foods. Fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds, nuts and sprouts are staples of the raw food diet, making for a palette that is high in minerals and fiber and low in calories. According to a study cited in the “Southern Medical Journal,” people who subsist on mostly uncooked food may experience significant drops in diastolic pressure and body weight. For safety reasons, raw food dieters are advised to avoid eating raw meat products.

Comparisons

Unlike the raw food diet, juice fasting drastically limits your food intake to the few calories contained in vegetable and fruit juices. Since most juices consumed during a juice fast are uncooked, raw food dieters have the benefit of consuming juices in addition to solid uncooked fruits and vegetables. Because of the reduced intake of calories, juice fasts may cause drops in your metabolism, potentially reducing your body’s ability to naturally lose weight.

Safety Concerns

Talk to your doctor before engaging in a juice fast or raw food diet. Since both diets limit your intake of nutritious cooked foods – such as whole grains, legumes and some lean proteins – they may pose risks of malnutrition or mineral deficiencies in some people. Consult your health care provider or dietitian before making any drastic changes in your diet.