Beginner's Guide to Juice Cleanses

If you’re new to the world of juice cleanses, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll walk you through what a juice cleanse is, the different types available, the benefits of juicing, and whether you should opt for DIY juicing or premade cleanses. Soon, you’ll have a much better idea of why people leverage juice cleanses as a way to detoxify the body, lose weight, and rejuvenate the mind — and a better idea of how one might benefit you too. 

What Is a Juice Cleanse?

A juice cleanse, also known as a juice detox or juice fast, is a temporary meal plan during which you replace all your regular meals and snacks with nutrient-rich juices made from fresh fruits and vegetables and sometimes herbs and spices. Cleanses usually vary in duration from 2-7 days, but their purpose is largely the same: to flood your body with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants while giving your digestive system a break from processing solid foods. 

Juice cleanses have gained popularity over the last several decades, with different ones geared toward detoxification, immunity, weight loss, sugar elimination, and overall health and well-being. They can also vary in duration. It’s possible to see the benefits of a juice cleanse after just two or three days, but some people choose to cleanse for longer. The length of time will depend on your personal goals, preferences, and general health. For example, a short cleanse might help you kickstart healthier habits, while a longer cleanse could provide the opportunity for a more holistic reset.

How Juicing Works

Juicing involves extracting the liquid portion of fruits and vegetables and leaving behind the fiber and pulp. The resulting juice contains a concentrated amount of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it easier for your body to absorb and utilize these nutrients.

There are a few different methods of juicing, each with its own considerations:

• Cold-pressed juicing: This method uses a hydraulic press to extract the juice from fruits and vegetables. A cold press operates at a low speed and utilizes high pressure processing to retain the maximum amount of nutrients and enzymes. While cold pressing is the most labor-intensive method, it also produces the purest juice with the longest shelf life, which is why it’s the only method we employ at Raw Juicery.
  
  
• Centrifugal juicing: This is the most common and widely available method of juicing. A centrifugal juicer uses a high-speed spinning blade to separate the juice from the pulp. While it is faster & less expensive, it may generate more heat and expose the juice to oxidation, potentially reducing the nutrient content and altering the juice’s natural flavors.
  
  
• Masticating juicing: Also known as slow juicing, this method uses a single or twin gear to crush and squeeze the juice out of the produce. A masticating juicer operates at a slower speed, subjecting the fruits and vegetables to less heat and oxidation than a centrifugal juicer would. While masticating juicers are capable of producing a high-quality juice, small pieces of produce can still find their way into the finished product.

Health Benefits of Juice Cleansing

Juice cleansing offers a range of potential health benefits. While individual experiences may vary, here are some common health benefits associated with juice cleanses:

• Detoxification: By consuming only fresh juices, the digestive system gets a break from processing solid foods, allowing the body to redirect its energy toward eliminating toxins. The high water content in juices also helps to flush out toxins and promote hydration.
  
  
• Increased nutrient intake: Juices are packed with concentrated amounts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, so consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables through juicing can help ensure you're getting a wide range of essential nutrients.
  
  
• Activation of autophagy: Restricting calories, such as during a juice cleanse, triggers autophagy, a biological process that breaks down and discards unhealthy fats and toxins. At the same time, it redirects useful nutrients toward healthier bodily functions.
  
  
• Weight loss: By replacing high-calorie meals with low-calorie juices, you may experience a calorie deficit, leading to weight loss. However, any weight loss is likely to be temporary, as it primarily consists of water weight and a loss of muscle mass.
  
  
• Increased energy levels: You might feel a surge of energy during and after a juice cleanse, owing to the high nutrient content of juices. Additionally, by giving the digestive system a break, the body can redirect energy toward other functions.
  
  
• Improved digestion: The absence of solid foods during a juice cleanse can help alleviate digestive issues, such as bloating, gas, and constipation. Juices are easier to digest and require less energy from the digestive system, allowing it to rest and heal.
  
  
• Healthy skin, hair, and nails: Fruits and vegetables are chock-full of the nutrients that are necessary for clear skin, silky hair, and strong nails. Additionally, staying hydrated during a cleanse helps your body flush toxins and better ensures a glowing complexion.
  
  
• Enhanced mental clarity: Minimizing processed foods while maximizing vitamin and mineral intake during a juice cleanse supports your brain’s health, potentially leading to improved clarity and focus throughout your day.
  
  

DIY Juicing vs. Pre-made Cleanses

If you want to try a juice cleanse, you can either do it yourself (DIY) by making your own juices at home, or you can select pre-made cleanses. Each approach has its own considerations, and it's important to weigh both so you know what to expect from your juice cleanse.

DIY Juicing

With DIY juicing, you have complete control over the ingredients and flavors of your juices. You can tailor the recipes to suit your dietary needs, and you can be sure you’re consuming the freshest juices possible. If you’re a frequent juicer, making your own at home can even be more cost-effective in the long run compared to purchasing premade cleanses.

On the downside, it’s time-consuming when you factor in all the planning, shopping for produce, preparing the produce, and cleaning the juicer afterward. Keep in mind, juices have a relatively short shelf life, so juicing on a daily basis may be necessary. Also, if you want the highest-quality juice available, you’ll need to shell out for a premium juicer, as well as for organic fruits and vegetables over traditionally grown ones. Decent juicers will run you between $100-200 on average, and with the cost of high-quality ingredients, each glass of juice may cost between $3-5. 

Premade Cleanses

Premade cleanses are convenient, completely eliminating the need for juicing equipment and prep time. They also taste great since nutritionists or other experts develop and test their formulas. And the pre-portioned bottles make it easy to follow a specific program, with no measuring or other guesswork necessary.

If premade cleanses have any drawbacks, it’s that they tend to be more expensive compared to DIY juices, although the expense usually correlates to a higher-quality product. And while some premade cleanses offer customization options for your taste preferences or dietary restrictions, they may be more limited compared to DIY juicing.

Ultimately, it's up to you to determine which factors are most important. Whether you opt for DIY juicing or a premade cleanse, consume the juice immediately or store it properly to preserve its nutritional value. Freshly made juices are always the most beneficial since they contain live enzymes and are rich in antioxidants.