What is a good juice to cleanse with?

Juice cleansing has become a popular way for people to detox, lose weight, and reset their health. During a juice cleanse, you consume nothing but fresh fruit and vegetable juices for a set period of time. This floods your body with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants while giving your digestive system a break. But with so many different juices available, how do you know which ones are best for cleansing?

Benefits of Juice Cleansing

Before we dive into the top juices for cleansing, let’s review some of the key benefits of juice cleansing:

• Removes toxins – Juice cleanses help flush out toxins, pesticides, medications, and unhealthy fats from your system.
• Aids digestion – By abstaining from solid foods for a period of time, you give your GI tract a much-needed rest.
• Increases nutrient intake – Fresh juices are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that nourish your cells.
• Boosts energy – The nutrients in the juices provide sustained natural energy.
• Promotes weight loss – Juice cleanses eliminate excess calories and bloat from processed foods.
• Improves skin – The vitamin- and antioxidant-rich juices hydrate and nourish the skin.
• Reduces inflammation – Many juices contain anti-inflammatory compounds that reduce inflammation throughout the body.

Best Produce for Cleansing

All fresh fruits and vegetables provide health benefits, but some stand out when it comes to detoxification and cleansing. Here are some of the best types to incorporate into juice cleansing:

Leafy Greens

Leafy greens like kale, spinach, swiss chard, and romaine provide cleansing chlorophyll and are loaded with vitamins and minerals. They help alkalize the body and mop up environmental toxins.

Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and limes are high in vitamin C, an antioxidant that stimulates the liver to flush out toxins. They also contain cleansing phytonutrients like limonoids and flavonoids.

Beets

Beets are a liver-cleansing superstar. They contain betaine and pectin which promote toxin elimination via the liver and intestines. Beet juice also provides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.

Apples

Apples are high in pectin, a soluble fiber that binds to heavy metals and cholesterol in the digestive tract. This makes toxins easier to eliminate from the body. Apples also contain cleansing malic acid.

Carrots

Carrots stimulate bile secretion to aid liver cleansing. They contain carotenoids that act as antioxidants to neutralize harmful free radicals. Carrot juice is also an excellent source of vitamin C and potassium.

Ginger

Ginger contains cleansing compounds called gingerols that accelerate gastrointestinal motility to clear toxins from the colon. It also has anti-nausea effects that help reduce side effects during fasting.

Cucumber

Cucumbers are composed mainly of water and contain antioxidant polyphenols that help neutralize inflammatory compounds and carcinogens. Cucumber juice is soothing and a mild diuretic.

Cabbage

Cabbage contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, like sulforaphane and indoles, that help stimulate cleansing liver enzymes. It also provides fiber for improved digestion and elimination.

Parsley

Parsley is traditionally used as a natural diuretic to filter toxins through the kidneys. It also contains volatile oils that inhibit tumor formation and neutralize carcinogens in the body.

Cranberries

Cranberries increase bile production in the liver to aid digestion and detoxification. They also contain hippuric acid that prevents bacteria from adhering to the bladder and kidneys.

Top 10 Detox Juice Recipes

Here are 10 of the most effective juice recipes for cleansing based on their detoxifying ingredients:

1. Mean Green Juice

This juice combines a variety of leafy greens and cleansing vegetables. The combination of kale, spinach, parsley, lemon, and ginger packs a major detox punch.

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber
• 1 apple
• 1 lemon, peeled
• 1″ knob of ginger
• 4 stalks kale
• 5 leaves spinach
• 1/2 bunch parsley

2. Beet and Carrot Juice

This juice harnesses the power of beets and carrots to stimulate cleansing of the liver. The lemon adds vitamin C and alkalizing effects. Drink this juice first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

Ingredients:

• 3 medium carrots, tops removed
• 1 raw beet, peeled and chopped
• 1 peeled lemon

3. Grapefruit Cranberry Juice

Grapefruit is a classic detoxifier due to its vitamin C and antioxidant content. When coupled with cranberries, this juice doubles its cleansing effects by stimulating bile flow and detoxification.

Ingredients:

• 2 grapefruits, peeled
• 1 c. cranberries

4. Green Apple Juice

This simple juice takes advantage of apples’ rich pectin content. Pectin binds to toxins and helps clear them from the digestive tract. The greens lend additional vitamins and minerals.

Ingredients:

• 2 green apples, cored and chopped
• 1 cucumber, chopped
• 6 leaves kale
• 1/2 lemon, peeled

5. Tomato Juice

Tomatoes contain a detoxifying antioxidant called lycopene. Lycopene boosts liver function and helps remove toxins from the body. Adding celery and cucumber increases the juice’s anti-inflammatory properties.

Ingredients:

• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 cucumber
• 2 stalks celery
• dash of hot sauce (optional)
• squeeze of 1/2 lemon

6. Roasted Garlic Beet Juice

Roasting garlic brings out its cleansing benefits. Paired with beets and lemon, this juice stimulates detoxification by boosting liver enzymes and stimulating bile flow.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole bulb roasted garlic, peeled
• 3 beets, chopped
• 1 lemon, peeled

7. Carrot Ginger Juice

Ginger is a powerhouse detoxifier that contains cleansing compounds called gingerols. Combined with carrot’s anti-inflammatory effects, this juice can help relieve headaches, nausea, and other detox symptoms.

Ingredients:

• 5 medium carrots, chopped
• 1″ knob fresh ginger

8. Cold Kicker Juice

This juice combines sinus-clearing horseradish and habanero pepper with lemon and onion for an intense detox experience. The spice helps thin mucus and eliminate toxins.

Ingredients:

• 1 lemon, peeled
• 1/2 onion
• 1″ horseradish root
• 1 habanero pepper

9. Turmeric Tonic

Turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Combined with pineapple and lemon, it provides cleansing and immunity-boosting effects. The black pepper boosts the bioavailability of the turmeric.

Ingredients:

• 2″ turmeric root, peeled
• 1/2 pineapple, cored
• 1 lemon, peeled
• sprinkle of black pepper

10. Watercress Grape Juice

Watercress is a highly nutritious green that cleanses the kidneys and flushes out toxins. Combined with grapes, this juice is great for cleansing and hydration.

Ingredients:

• 2 c. grapes
• 1 c. watercress
• 1/2 cucumber

Juice Cleanse Plan

To maximize the detox benefits, it’s ideal to follow a juice cleanse plan for 3-5 days while abstaining from solid foods. Here is a sample plan:

Time	Juice
Upon waking	16 oz lemon water
Breakfast	Beet and Carrot Juice
Mid-morning	Grapefruit Cranberry Juice
Lunch	Mean Green Juice
Mid-afternoon	Green Apple Juice
Dinner	Tomato Juice

It’s important to listen to your body during a juice cleanse. Drink juices only when hungry and rest when needed. Some people may need to gradually transition off a cleanse by eating light raw salads or broths before resuming a normal diet.

Tips for an Effective Juice Cleanse

Here are some tips to get the most out of a juice cleanse:

• Ease into it – Cut out processed foods, meats, dairy and wheat a few days before starting a cleanse.
• Hydrate – Drink plenty of water in addition to juices to stay hydrated.
• Get enough nutrients – Follow a balanced juice cleanse plan that provides carbohydrates and plant protein in addition to fruits/veggies.
• Include probiotics – Drink some kombucha or take a probiotic supplement to support gut health.
• Make fresh juices – Use organic produce and a cold press juicer for maximum nutrient retention.
• Reduce activity – Take it easy during the cleanse to let your body heal.
• Avoid overt hunger – Drink juices when hungry to keep blood sugar stable.
• Break gently – Ease off the cleanse with broths and gentle foods before returning to normal diet.

Potential Side Effects

When performed correctly, juice cleanses are generally safe. However, some possible side effects include:

• Hunger – From the lack of protein and fiber.
• Fatigue – From reduced calorie intake.
• Headaches – From withdrawal from caffeine, sugar, etc.
• Nausea – From rapid detoxification.
• Dizziness – From low blood sugar/electrolytes.
• Bloating – From sudden increase in fiber.

These side effects are usually mild and can be minimized by following a balanced juice cleanse plan. Those with medical conditions or on medication should consult a doctor before attempting a juice cleanse.

The Bottom Line

When done for a short duration, juice cleansing offers a convenient way to flood your body with nutrients and promote detoxification. Focus on juices with greens, citrus fruits, berries, carrots, beets, and ginger for maximum cleansing benefits. Listen to your body, go slowly, and consult a health professional if you have concerns.

With the wide variety of powerful ingredient combinations, juice cleansing makes it simple to eliminate toxins and rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit.