Juice Fasting For Weight Loss

Juice fasting is a detox diet where you only consume fresh fruit and vegetable juices. First thing in the morning you drink a glass of water with lemon juice, then fruit and vegetable juices throughout the day at 3 - 4 hourly intervals. No other foods or beverages are permitted. Juice fasting can be continued for up to 40 days, then gradually you return to a normal healthy diet.

• Good source of vitamin C - for healthy teeth & gums , to boost the immune system and to help the body absorb iron and zinc.
• Nutrients are absorbed quickly into the bloodstream because juice requires minimal digestion.
• Fruit sugars (fructose) are an immediate source of energy.
• Low GI and low fat.

• Juice lacks dietary fibre, it is much better to consume whole fruits and vegetables.
• The body has a limit to how much fructose (fruit sugar) it can absorb. Excess fructose can lead to diarrhoea.
• It generally takes 3 - 4 pieces of fruit to make just one glass of juice. Therefore each drink is quite high in calories, not so good if you are on a calorie reduced diet.

• It has been reported that juice fasting rejuvenates ageing bodies.
• Regeneration of tissue.
• Cleanses the body, flushing out toxins and accumulated waste.
• There are claims that juice fasting helps overcome chronic conditions.

• Juice fasting can be quite unpleasant causing side effects such as : diarrhoea, headache, abdominal pain, fever, weakness, bad breath and insomnia.

Personally I think the cons far outweigh the pros when it comes to juice fasting, or any other detox diet for that matter, especially if continued for any length of time.

It is my opinion to lose weight you would be far better off just eating a clean, healthy diet with a good balance of protein, fruit & vegetables, carbohydrates and good fat. Also drink plenty of water, this will flush toxins from your system without having to subject your body the possible side effects of juice fasting.

Our bodies were not designed to survive on just fruit and vegetables juices alone, we need a well balanced diet to keep ourselves fit and healthy. This is one diet I would definately give a miss.