Juice cleansing has become a popular way for people to detoxify their bodies and improve gut health. By consuming only fresh fruit and vegetable juices for a period of time, many aim to give their digestive system a break while flooding it with nutrients. Here’s an overview of how juice cleanses may benefit gut health.
How Juice Cleanses Support The Gut
There are a few key ways that juice cleanses may support overall gut function:
The Role Of H2S In Gut Health
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gas produced in the gut that has an important influence on gut health. Researchers are now discovering that maintaining healthy H2S levels through diet may help reduce inflammation, improve ulcerative colitis and irritated bowel diseases, and even prevent colon cancer.
Foods high in sulfur like cruciferous vegetables, garlic, onions, and legumes help feed the sulfate-reducing bacteria in the colon which produce H2S gas. A juice cleanse that incorporates veggies like kale, cabbage, broccoli and onions may therefore support healthy H2S levels in the gut.
Conclusion
Overall, a short juice cleanse of 3-5 days can provide a beneficial “reboot” for gut health, as long as calories and nutrients are adequately provided through the juices. Be sure to include plenty of vegetables and eat a balanced diet once the cleanse is over. Those with medical conditions should exercise caution. Then it will improve the gut health.
Common Questions About Juice Cleanses
The following are responses to some common queries about juice fasting:
Most experts recommend limiting a juice cleanse to 3-5 days to prevent nutritional deficiencies. This gives the digestive system a rest without depriving it long-term.
It’s common to lose 3-7 pounds during a short juice cleanse, mostly from loss of water weight and waste elimination. However, this weight is usually quickly regained after resuming a normal diet.
Possible side effects include hunger, headaches, fatigue and nausea, especially during the first couple days as the body adjusts. These can often be minimized by consuming enough calories and nutrients in the juices.
Focus on veggies over fruit, especially leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, celery, cucumber. Ginger and lemon also help stimulate digestion. Beet, carrot and spinach juices are also great choices.
People with diabetes, low blood sugar, eating disorders, kidney disease, and other conditions may want to avoid juice cleanses altogether and consult their doctor first.
