Juice Me Up: What to Know About Juicing

Juice me up! In the crazy world of weight loss, nearly everyone you know has some new dieting method that's supposedly proven to work. It can feel like a never-ending struggle to find the right dieting plan that truly works for you – but don't worry, you aren't alone in this worthwhile quest. However, you're probably all too familiar with the term "juicing." After all, some people swear by it. The film "Fat, Sick, & Nearly Dead" focuses on the life of Joe Cross, who juiced for sixty days and lost one-hundred pounds. But what is juicing, exactly, and what does it entail? Read on to find out more!

What is Juicing?

Recently, juicing has become increasingly popular. Essentially, juicing is when you only drink juices, water, or tea. Solid foods are eliminated entirely. This is a fairly easy concept to grasp, but there's more to it than meets the eye.

People turn to juicing for a variety of different reasons. Perhaps the biggest reason is to lose weight, but many enjoy its health benefits. Avid fans of juicing enjoy the nutrients that they receive from the fruits and vegetables involved in their beverages.

Juicing extracts the delicious juice from both fruits and vegetables, which results in an elimination of the fiber from the pulp. What this accomplishes is a healthy break from digestive troubles, which is another reason why people juice. It's also believed to remove toxins from the body and to support your immune system.

Pros and Cons of Juicing

Juicing provides plenty of benefits: for starters, you'll be sure to get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, your body will take in the helpful nutrients included in the fruits and vegetables you consume. If executed properly, you can lose weight, but keep in mind that juicing still includes calories that can add up.

Of course, juicing has its disadvantages. It's not a guaranteed way to lose weight; in fact, you might even gain a few pounds if you feel starved and end up binging. Then you'd have to account for the calories involved in both the juicing experience and the food you might potentially binge on. Juicing has no protein or fat, which can cause blood sugar swings. Having little to no protein or fat can lead to unwanted side effects such as dizziness or fainting.

We get it, we really do: fitting into that pair of adorable denim shorts is the first thing on your priority list. However, when it comes to juicing, there's a lot of caution to take heed of. As always, we highly suggest consulting with your doctor before taking the next step in juicing.