Juice cleanses have become an extremely popular trend in the last few years, with many people using them as a way to detoxify their bodies and kickstart their weight loss. These detox programmes boast huge lists of benefits for the body, mind and soul! People claim that doing a good detox can result in glowing skin, reduced bloating, better sleep, increased energy and mental clarity!

Understandably, though, there are concerns about the safety of these cleanses, particularly if they are done for extended periods of time or without proper medical supervision. I have to admit that when my friend told me they were doing a Melbourne juice cleanse, I was pretty sceptical at first. Not eating solid food for days felt like something that would make me feel worse, not better! However, after seeing the positive results this detox had on my friend, I thought it was worth considering. So I dug deep into my safety concerns and made some interesting discoveries that I want to share in this blog, in case anyone else was wondering the same questions!

In this article, we will explore what a juice cleanse involves, the risks of doing a juice cleanse, how you can avoid them and learn how to incorporate them into our lives safely!

First off, let’s get a clear picture of what juice cleanses involve. Put simply, a juice cleanse involves drinking juices made with only fruit and vegetable juices for a set period of time to detox your body and remove excess toxins. During this time, you will be drinking only these natural juices and cutting out all other food and drink such as tea, coffee and alcohol. 

It is claimed that a cleanse can help to support your body’s natural detox process, clearing your diet of refined foods, sugar, caffeine and other substances that can damage your body and cause health problems.

The period of time that you carry out your cleanse will depend on your health goals and how much experience you have with juice cleansing. We will talk more about choosing the safest cleanse length for you later in this post!

Just like any other health treatment or medicine, it’s important to check the risks before committing to anything! So are there any significant health risks when doing a juice cleanse?

A good Geelong juice cleanse will usually be very low in calories, which can lead to rapid weight loss. If you don’t need to lose weight, then it can be a risk factor, as you could end up at an unhealthy weight after your detox. Even if weight loss is your goal, the results of your cleanse are usually not long-lasting after you have finished the programme, as weight simply returns when you eat normally again.

Insufficient calorie intake can also be a risk factor, leaving many people feeling weak with low blood sugar and a lack of energy (which is the opposite of what we want to achieve with a detox!)

Some juice cleanses may be high in sugar, which can cause a spike in blood sugar levels and lead to insulin resistance over time. This is especially true for juices that contain a lot of fruit, as fruit is naturally high in sugar.

Another serious risk factor is juice safety! that if someone drinks unpasteurised juices, it could lead to them getting sick from bacteria.

So if juice cleansing carries risks, does that mean we shouldn't bother with them at all? Not necessarily. Juice cleanses can still be healthy and efficient ways to reach our health and fitness goals, but ONLY if they are done in a safe and manageable way!

The most important step in doing a safe juice cleanse is to always check with a medical professional before starting any detox programme. Talking to your doctor is a great way to ensure that your body is suitable for juice cleansing and that you aren’t going to experience any major risk factors during your cleanse period.

It's essential to understand that juice cleansing isn't suitable for everyone. If you have any health conditions like diabetes or kidney disease, it's best to avoid doing a juice cleanse altogether. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should always consult their doctors before starting a juice cleanse.

As mentioned in the lowdown, juice cleanses can be done for varying lengths of time, from 1 to 7 days. However, if you want to do a safe cleanse, choosing the right time length is vital. Although doing an intense 7-day cleanse might seem appealing to get results quickly and shift the pounds, it’s not always the best option, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience with detoxing. If it’s your first time trying a juice cleanse, go for a 1-3 day course to ease your body into the process. Once again, always consult with a medical professional before deciding how long to take a juice cleanse!

Another way to reduce the risks when juice cleansing is to buy your juice from a reputable source. If you’re not making juices fresh yourself every day at home, then it’s vital to go to a well-known juice cleanse company in Geelong for your detox juices. This way, you can ensure that they have been produced in a safe method and that you aren't going to get sick from drinking them. You can also be confident that they contain the minerals and nutrients you need to nourish and support your body during your cleanse.

It's also important to stay hydrated during your cleanse. Drinking plenty of water and herbal tea is an excellent way to flush out toxins and keep your body hydrated. Avoid tea, coffee and other caffeinated beverages, as these can dehydrate you.