Did you over indulge last week during the holidays? Did you party a little too hard? A juice detox could really help you to recover.
What is a ‘detox’?
The human body has an incredible capacity to heal itself and juice cleansing – going without solid food – can help to flush out and eliminate poisons and toxins, balance the body and improve overall health and wellbeing.
How will it help me?
Juice therapy, also called ‘cleansing’ or ‘detoxing’ helps to clear metabolic waste products from our body and accelerates healing, it boosts the nervous system, cleanses the liver which in turn cleans the blood.
Juices provide nutrient support, being rich in easily absorbed and assimilated vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other phytonutrients. Another benefit is that many people feel revitalised and motivated to improve other facets of their lifestyle, such as their exercise regime, after just a couple of days of juice therapy.
Why do a juice fast?
Just about everybody benefits from a juice cleanse. Even living a relatively healthy lifestyle doesn’t protect the body from all toxic substances. Eating habits, pollution and stress all increase toxic deposits throughout the body, which in time can lead to serious health issues.
What are the benefits?
Juice therapy helps cleanse your system while enabling your digestion to take some much-needed ‘time out’ from the hard work of processing a normal diet. It’s the best way to give your gut a chance to start healing itself.
Fresh juice is referred to as ‘live’ food because it still contains active enzymes. Packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, fresh juice requires minimal energy to digest. Once absorbed by the body, the fruit begins to establish a better acid/alkaline balance within the body.
A couple of days on a fresh juice diet can help to improve:
• Kidney, liver and immune function
• Skin conditions
• Cholesterol and blood pressure
• Joint and muscular aches,
• Energy levels and mental clarity.
One of the many benefits of a juice program is the way it can help you to break the cycle of bad eating habits so many of us fall into!
How do I do a juice detox?
Doing a juice cleanse requires a lot of planning, and a lot of juice! Make sure you pick your favorite Hopewood juices and add their ingredients to a shopping list. You’ll find a myriad of different vitamins and minerals in all of Hopewood’s juices so select a combination of the ones that appeal to you. You should plan to have enough juice ready so you can drink a large glassful every couple of hours. You will need ingredients sufficient for least 5-6 glassfuls a day.
If you are doing juice therapy at home you should not continue beyond three days.
Whenever you are detoxing, it is vital to make sure you are drinking plenty of water as well. Water helps to flush out your liver and detoxify your body from any toxins (like caffeine and alcohol) that may be lurking in your system.
Rest in essential
Being able to relax in a non-stressful environment is essential for a good detoxification. If massage and hydrotherapy are used during a detox if can really help to induce deep relaxation and support a more peaceful nervous system whilst also assisting in further removal of toxins.
Important tip! : Fasting should ALWAYS be carried out under proper supervision.
If you want to undertake a fast or cleanse, you should consult a naturopath, who can support you during the entire detox process. They can also help you to establish healthy eating practices and an appropriate exercise regime, when you have completed your detox process. We do not recommend you undertake juice therapy if you are on your own.
Some symptoms experienced during a juice detox
It is common to experience side-effects due to the withdrawal of caffeine, alcohol, sugar or cigarettes. You may experience symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, muscle aches, backaches, and nausea. It is also not unusual to experience temporary symptoms associated with any previous or existing health problems or injuries. These generally subside over a day or so and are usually followed by an improvement.
Breaking the fast
Slowly reintroduce solid food into your diet. Your body may be a little shocked if you suddenly eat an enormous breakfast afterwards! Start with smaller portion sizes first!
Finally, enjoy the benefits! You should notice higher energy levels, and much clearer and brighter skin by the end of the detox.
