Surprising Benefits of a 1-Day Juice Cleanse

We’re chatting about the 1 day juice cleanse benefits and how to maximize results. Plus, we share everything you need to do the cleanse at home, and tips for what to do after the cleanse.

Is anyone else still feeling slightly sluggish after an indulgent holiday season? Us too.

Did you know that besides the obvious weight gain, eating poorly can significantly impact how you feel day to day?

How many of the following symptoms did you feel over the holidays?

• Decreased energy

• Decreased focus

• Bloating

• Sugar crash

• Acid reflux

• Indigestion or digestive issues

• Poor sleep

• Suppressed immune system

Since we’re focusing on feeling our best in 2023 and living a healthy lifestyle, we decided to test out a 1-day juice cleanse to see if we could reap the health benefits and reset our internal system back on track. There is tons of scientific evidence surrounding the potential benefits and we had to see for ourselves what all the fuss was about.

The 1-Day Juice Cleanse Benefits

But before we get into the 1-day juice cleanse benefits, I wanted to answer a few important questions. Like what exactly is a juice cleanse, what should you put in it to see the most benefits, and what you need to make the juice yourself.

We’re answering all that and more, so keep reading to find out the benefits of a 1-day juice cleanse.

What is Juice Cleansing?

A juice cleanse is the process of only consuming juices from fruits and vegetables for a set amount of time. Juice cleanses are typically designed with a specific result in mind; detox cleanse, skin, and immunity to name a few. Juice cleanses also come in many durations, so for a beginner juicer like us, sticking with a shorter cleanse was the perfect way to see some great results while determining what our bodies could handle!

Fruit, Vegetables, or Both?

In order to truly reset the digestive system and see the benefits of a 1-day cleanse, a mix of vegetable juices, whole fruits, and fruit juices need to be used. Fruits and vegetables are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including folate, vitamin C, and potassium, not to mention being an excellent source of dietary fiber to help maintain a healthy gut!

What do I need for a Juice Cleanse?

Because of their popularity, many local health and wellness stores exist that will take the guesswork out and do the work for you. Store-bought juices are perfectly acceptable for detox diets. If this is your first time doing a cleanse, purchasing from a local company may be the simplest route! If you are wanting to make your own fresh juice, there are several good juicers on the market to make your own juices! Our top pick is the Breville Juice Fountain Cold Press Plus (worth the investment). If you are looking to cleanse on a budget, check out the Hamilton Beach Premium Big Mouth Centrifugal Juicer.

For those wondering, centrifugal juicers work by using a cutting disc or disc-shaped grater to tear and shred the ingredients in order to release the juice stored inside of them.

Let’s Talk About Nut Milk

Most people who have done a juice cleanse in the past will tell you that having a nut milk beverage at the end of the day is their favorite part of the cleanse. These protein-packed drinks are often made with almonds or cashews, vanilla, dates, water, and cinnamon and are the perfect way to end the day. They are easy on your digestive system after a day full of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables and help prepare your stomach and system for real food the following day.

So, now that we know what a cleanse is, let’s jump right into the overall health benefits of a juice cleanse.

Actual Benefits of a 1-Day Juice Cleanse

Increased Energy Levels

So what’s the link between juicing and increased energy levels? Because each serving of juice typically contains 5-6 servings of fresh fruits and leafy greens, your body is getting an influx of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that support your energy cycle and metabolism. The increase of antioxidants from the juice also helps reduce the inflammation in your body. Because it would be nearly impossible to eat the same serving sizes of fruits and vegetables every day that are contained in the juice cleanse, your body is also now getting easily absorbable nutrients! We promise you will see a dramatic increase in your energy!

Did you know that certain health conditions like IBS, Crohn’s Disease, Celiac Disease, and certain infections can alter the membranes in your body and impact how your body absorbs nutrients from food? Juicing is a perfect way to give your digestive system a break, in turn, giving you that energy back for other things!

Because many fruits and vegetables are also primarily water, the increase of H2O also increases your energy level and helps fight fatigue. The next time you are feeling tired, irritable, or cranky, ask yourself if you’ve had enough water. We bet the answer is no!

Short-term Weight Loss

During your cleanse, you may experience short-term weight loss. While the goal of the cleanses is to reset, you may see a slight dip in the scale during the process. The weight loss you experience is likely due to the lack of food in your GI tract and the loss of muscle you experience during the cleanse. More than likely, any weight that was lost will be regained shortly after solid foods are introduced, however, continuing to eat only whole foods after post 1-day juice cleanse will ensure waste and toxins remain gone and your body works at its optimal level.

Reset of Taste Buds

Did you know that the more sugary foods you eat, the more your body craves them? Once you break the cycle, you’ll have fewer cravings for refined sugars and junk food!

Better Digestion & Less Bloating

Compared to regular solid food that requires you to chew and break down, juices take less effort to digest. Once your cleanse is over, your body will continue to benefit even when you start to eat solid foods again, by being able to more easily digest those foods and extract their nutrients. A cleanse also helps your body rid itself of harmful substances in your body so less bloating is also something you will see and feel from juicing!

Strengthens your Immune System

Raw juices containing citrus, leafy greens, or ginger are packed full of vitamin C. Vitamin C helps strengthen your immune system, in return, helps you fight off cold and flu germs. It’s important to note though that juices must be cold pressed to ensure no nutrients are lost in the process!

Clearer Skin

Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is great for your skin, so naturally, a juice cleanse will show in your glow. Because of the increase in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, your skin will actually look and feel younger, healthier, and glowy. Juicing also helps the collagen in your skin and who doesn’t want that youthful bounce?

What are the Risks?

Where there are benefits, there are likely also risks. While eating a balanced diet is what we recommend, if you do decide to partake in a 1-day juice cleanse, it’s important to note the possible side effects so you can safely decide if this is right for you.

Kidney Stones

Because many cleanse involve juicing dark leafy greens and beats, the increased amount of Oxalate in your system may cause kidney stones.

Low Blood Sugar

Because many juice cleanses mean a lower calorie intake, and little to no protein or carbohydrates, a juice cleanse could cause low blood sugar, which can be dangerous for people with diabetes and hypoglycemia. For my one-day juice cleanse, I did consume a small number of whole grains and lean protein to safely complete the detox.

Low Blood Pressure

Cleanses without consuming enough water can be dangerous, leading to a drop in blood pressure. Be sure to consume ample water during your cleanse day, especially if you are taking medications to treat high blood pressure.

What to do Post Juice Cleanse?

After your cleanse, it’s important to continue giving your body the essential nutrients it craves and needs! In order to see the long-term benefits of the cleanse you just completed, it’s best to continue to avoid sugary, salty, and starchy foods. You just worked hard on the process of detoxification, so you need to be ready to continue the process of eating plenty of fruits and healthy foods.

While a cleanse or juice fasting is not something we recommend completing on a regular basis, we do believe there are many benefits that can directly promote a healthier lifestyle. Your entire body can benefit from a one-day juice and it’s like something we will partake in twice a year.

Have questions or want to know the recipes we followed? Get in touch!

Before starting a juice cleanse, please speak with a medical professional about the health risks associated with a cleanse or if you have health conditions that may be impacted by a 1-day liquid-only diet. Safety first, always!