Juicing has been around for a while now in the wellness industry. Mainly claiming to flush the body of toxins and improve overall health and well being – But are these claims accurate?
Firstly, it is important to look at our bodies and how they are designed. We are lucky enough to have our own complex and very versatile detox system and our body is able to detox itself all on its own.
Here’s how:
- The Liver:
It is the biggest gland in our body and has about 1500mL of blood circulating through it per minute. Looking at detoxification specifically: The liver is responsible for the detoxification of substances such as drugs and alcohol and it also removes bacteria and debris from the blood through filtering it.
- Our gut
Our gut lining provides the initial barrier to toxins/bacteria etc, preventing them from entering our blood stream. Our digestive tract is also where about 70% of our immune system is found.
- Kidneys:
The kidneys are like our body’s own filter system. Our blood is constantly filtered through them in order to maintain the balance of fluid and electrolyte levels. Basically they filter out what the body does not need, thereby maintaining a balance.
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As you can see these are some very complex organs we have, and they each have a very specific function enabling our body to function optimally and to be detoxed all on its own without the assistance of juicing. What needs to be said though is that this does not mean that we can eat anything we want and not be conscious of what we put into our bodies. We want to eat a wholesome, well balanced diet to best support our body to function at its best.
This means having a good variety in our diet, eating well balanced meals made up of whole grain carbohydrates, lean protein and plenty of vegetables as well as making legumes, fruit, and unsaturated fats a part of our daily diet. There is no quick fix when it comes to being healthy and only through making permanent lifestyle changes can we ensure that our body will function at its full potential.
Live a healthy and well balanced life and your body will thank you for it!