Thinking about a juice cleanse? Read this first

11 years ago | Nutrition

Juice

By pH health care professionals

Juice bars are popping up on every corner, especially here in Southern California. For many people, it has become perfectly normal to drink seven dollars' worth of kale and ginger for breakfast. These days, it seems everyone is trying a juice cleanse.

What's the appeal?

For years, you’ve been told to get five fruits and vegetables a day -- sometimes seven, depending on whether you are looking at a pyramid by Dr. Weil or by the USDA. But buying, cleaning, cooking and eating that much produce takes time few people have. Juicing offers a convenient solution -- drink up your nutrients on the go.

Cold-pressed juices offer a meticulous extraction method to get all the nutrients out of juice. Only fibrous pulp is left. Fans find themselves eating more veggies overall and relying less on unhealthy sweet breakfasts. Many feel an energy boost from the vitamins and nutrients.

So should you jump on the juice wagon?

We recommend a balanced approach to diet, and juice cleanses over many days can result in hunger, dizziness and euphoria from low blood sugar. Speaking of sugar, juices that load up on high-sugar fruits and vegetables (beets, pineapple, apples, carrots) can spike blood sugar and predispose you to diabetes. If you crash after that morning juice, it might be too sweet.

Juices also contain a high concentration of potassium when they contain a lot of ingredients like bananas and greens. People who take potassium, who are on certain prescription medications, or who have kidney disease need to watch their potassium levels. Remember that juices often contain far more of a certain vegetable or fruit that you would ever dream of eating in one sitting!

So while juicing offers a convenient way to get vital nutrients, you want to enjoy your juices with healthy, balanced moderation.

Are there people who should not juice?

Some people should not juice at all. Recently, a patient suffered kidney failure as a result of juicing! The reason? He was consuming juice that was high in oxalate, a substance in certain fruits and vegetables. Oxalate causes kidney damage in very high doses and can contribute to kidney stones. This particular patient already had kidney disease, was on an extended juice fast, and was consuming juices that were high-oxalate, featuring veggies like parsley and beets.

Studies reassure us that juicing for most of us (assuming healthy kidneys) is pretty low-risk. But this unfortunate man's experience reminds us that there can always be too much of a good thing.

So, how do you juice safely?

Don't give up eating regular food. Talk to a doctor if you take medications or have medical conditions. Alternate juices with green smoothies, which contain all the natural fiber in the veggies. If you aren't feeling well after drinking juices, see a doctor right away.

Enjoy Your Healthy Life!

The pH professional health care team includes recognized experts from a variety of health care and related disciplines, including physicians, attorneys, nutritionists, nurses and certified fitness instructors. This team also includes the members of the pH Medical Advisory Board, which constantly monitors all pH programs, products and services. To learn more about the pH Medical Advisory Board, click here.