The Downside To Juicing

All-juice diets may appeal to many out there because it condenses fruits and vegetables into a vitamin-loaded super drink. And it's all plant-based, so how could you go wrong? It's an easy way to add neglected vitamins and minerals to a diet that may not include them. Many even juice to detox the body. But let it be known that juicing does have a serious downside.

Juicing to Lose Weight

What's the main reason most people start a diet? To lose weight. Too much juicing, however, can lead to a calorie surplus, especially if you are juicing a lot of fruits. And you're not likely to be eating enough fiber, fats, and protein, which means you won't feel full even though you've eaten plenty of calories. "It's true because people overuse the fruit," says celebrity fitness trainer Angela Martindale. "People just don't understand what the combinations need to be. The body is always going to eat the muscle first. If you don't give it enough amino acids, then you begin to cannibalize." Even though whole vegetables and fruits contain large amounts of fiber and vitamins, when you juice them, you're also leaving behind the fiber and vitamin-bearing pulp. "The body will go into shock if it just does liquid. You might have lost ten pounds, but you'll gain that weight right back once you switch back to food. If weight loss is the goal, juicing is not the way to do it," says Martindale.

Juicing to Cleanse

"I absolutely do not believe in just liquid cleansing. It's really hard on your body. Your body needs to chew food," adds Martindale. Processing pure juice gives the digestive system a rest, but that doesn't mean you need to do it for days at a time. Martindale also notes that juicing can help with a dietary cleanse, but it should by no means be the sole method. "[Your] body needs to metabolize food," she says. "The flora (good bacteria) of the body needs the nutrients to be able to push that fiber through." In short, don't expect juicing alone to help you to lose weight, especially if your diet already includes fruits and vegetables. Whole foods always offer more nutritional value. Photo Courtesy Of: Bertholf

The Downside To Juicing

Juicing to Lose Weight

Juicing to Cleanse

Reading next