Juicing is a great way to increase your fruit and vegetable intake, according to the top Juice Guru, but it can’t replace a balanced diet. It also can’t detoxify the body.
A juice cleanse can lead to nutrient deficiencies because it cuts out many foods, especially proteins and fats. When the body is short on these nutrients, it goes looking for energy elsewhere—namely, water and muscle reserves.
1. It’s a Diet
Juicing exploded in popularity thanks to celebrities and social media influencers who promote it as a health fad that detoxes, cleanses, and helps you lose weight. But it’s important to understand that juicing isn’t healthy for everyone, particularly when done in excess.
People who rely on juice as their main meal are more likely to experience nutrient deficiencies, particularly those that exclude entire food groups such as dairy, meat, and grains. Those who drink juice in place of whole foods for an extended period of time may also be at risk of consuming too many calories, which can lead to overeating and weight gain.
When a person replaces whole foods with juice, they’re missing out on essential nutrients such as protein (which helps maintain and build muscles) and fats (which provide the energy our bodies need to function properly). In addition, juicing tends to remove fiber, which is crucial for gut health and fullness.
In most cases, a juicing diet will contain high amounts of sugar, which can cause blood sugar spikes and contribute to weight gain. Juices made with high-sugar fruits or vegetables can be especially troublesome, as they can contain up to 40 grams of carbohydrates in a 16-ounce serving.
Juices don’t typically contain any fat, which can be a problem for people who struggle to digest raw vegetables or can’t afford to add the extra calories from whole food sources. A lack of fat in the diet can also increase hunger and can have negative effects on liver health, sleep, and teeth.
Another potential issue is that drinking juice in lieu of whole foods can interfere with your ability to absorb certain vitamins and medications. For example, grapefruit juice can interact with drugs that lower cholesterol, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor); blood pressure medication, like nifedipine (Eqv-Adalat CC); antihistamines, such as budesonide (Pulmicort); and a number of other prescription and over-the-counter medicines. For this reason, it’s important to talk to your doctor before making any drastic changes to your diet.
2. It’s a Lifestyle
Juicing, the process of extracting liquid from fruits and vegetables to drink as a beverage, has gained massive popularity in recent years. Advocates say it allows your body to absorb nutrients more easily than whole foods and provides a way to detoxify. Some even claim it helps reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and aids weight loss.
It can also help fill in the gaps of your diet when it comes to getting enough veggies and fruits. But what’s important to remember is that juice is still a liquid, and that means it’s full of sugar. And too much sugar can lead to health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, fatty liver disease and obesity.
What’s more, juice removes the fiber from whole foods, and it’s that fiber that helps you feel full and satiated. In addition, juicing can cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate, so it’s not recommended for people with diabetes or who have trouble managing their blood sugar.
The best way to make juice that is healthy and low in sugar is to focus on adding leafy greens to your drinks, says Johnston. Start with those, then add soft vegetables and berries. “If you’re going to be drinking a lot of juice, you want to try to keep it as close to the original form as possible,” she says.
Aside from being high in sugar and calories, many juices are also often low in protein and fiber. That can leave you feeling tired and irritable. And when you’re juicing on a regular basis, it can lead to an imbalance in your gut bacteria that could cause problems.
Plus, many juices aren’t even 100% fruit and veggie juice. They may have added sugar or be thinned and filtered, making them less nutritious than 100 percent fresh fruit and vegetable juices. And many juices are sold in stores as juice cocktails or juice blends, which are typically higher in sugar than straight juices.
3. It’s a Way of Life
Juicing can be a great way to get in more fruits and vegetables into your diet. And many people do it to lose weight or to improve their health. But if you’re doing it to replace whole foods, it can be harmful.
The problem with juicing is that it removes the fiber from whole foods, and the body needs this to function properly. It also means that you’re missing out on a lot of nutrients that are wrapped up in the fibers. This includes things like antioxidants, polyphenols, and more.
Another big issue is that you’re consuming a lot of sugar and calories when you juice, especially if your juice is made up of mostly fruit. This can be bad for your blood sugar, which can lead to diabetes and other health issues. And it’s also a bad idea for those who already have diabetes, because high sugar intakes can cause dangerous swings in blood sugar levels.
In addition, a lot of juices are based on leafy greens and other veggies that aren’t as sweet as fruits, so you may not be getting enough carbohydrate or protein in your diet. This can be a problem for people who struggle with balancing blood sugar, or who have other health issues such as digestive problems.
There are a lot of benefits to a juicing lifestyle, but it’s important to remember that juicing should be done in conjunction with a healthy, balanced diet, and not as a replacement for whole foods. It’s also a good idea to drink your juice on an empty stomach, so that it doesn’t add unnecessary strain on your digestive system.
If you want to incorporate juicing into your life, start by making sure that the bulk of your juices are greens and other veggies, with a small amount of fruit for sweetness. And make sure that you’re incorporating a wide variety of fruits and veggies into your diet, because they all offer different benefits. For example, berries are rich in antioxidants, while celery and beets contain nitrates, which can help to promote vasodilation and reduce blood pressure.
4. It’s a Business
Juicing is not just a healthy way of eating, it’s also a lucrative business. But there are some things to consider before you start your own juice bar.
Research the market and find out what your competitors are doing. Having an understanding of what you’re up against will help you avoid mistakes and set your business up for success.
Make sure to take into account all of the necessary startup costs, including equipment and supplies. You’ll also want to make sure that you have enough capital to cover your overhead expenses and keep the doors open while you’re bringing in customers.
A good place to start is with a small business checking account. Look for one with few or no fees and excellent products and services, like lending options, merchant services, and interest-earning accounts.
Another important step is determining your menu. Your menu should offer a variety of juices and smoothies to appeal to everyone, regardless of their dietary preferences. You should also include a section of health benefits for each juice on your menu to educate consumers about the nutritional value of your product.
Finally, don’t forget to market your business. Use social media to reach your target audience, and consider creating a blog dedicated to juicing. This will help increase your visibility and brand awareness, and it will also give your audience a chance to interact with your business.
Lastly, be sure to hire the right people for your business. You’ll need someone with a strong understanding of the food and beverage industry, and preferably experience managing a restaurant or wholesale juice business. Having a great team is essential to the success of your juicing business, and it will help you achieve your goals faster.
If you’re interested in starting a juice business, contact us at Loystar today. We’re here to provide the support you need and to guide you through the process of launching your own successful juicing business. We can’t wait to see you on the other side of entrepreneurship!
