Detox juices: natural detoxification for body and mind

Every day, our body works at full speed to rid itself of harmful substances. Detoxification is the name of this process, which primarily involves the liver, intestines, skin and kidneys. A detox juice cure is an effective way to support the body in this process in a natural way. We explain how a juice cure works and what you need to bear in mind.

A healthy human organism is usually able to rid itself of harmful toxins and regenerate. The liver plays a central role in this. It is the largest and most important metabolic organ. One of its tasks is to neutralise and break down toxins. With a juice diet, we can support the body in detoxifying and relieve our organs. This is because during a detox programme with fresh, homemade detox juices made from high-quality organic foods, we do not absorb any harmful substances from industrially processed products. Instead, we supply the body with numerous nutrients that stimulate the metabolism and help it to rid itself of toxins even more effectively. Juice cures also have another positive effect: they promote awareness of good nutrition and make it easier to switch to a healthier lifestyle.

Good preparation for a successful detox programme

A detox juice treatment is usually carried out over a period of three, five or seven days and needs to be well prepared. It begins with one or two detox days, on which the diet is gradually changed and is light and alkaline. Eating lots of fruit, vegetables and nuts prepares the body for the upcoming juice diet and helps to stabilise the metabolism. During this phase, it is also important to avoid nicotine, alcohol and coffee. Some people also choose to empty their bowels in advance with the help of natural laxatives. The timing of the detox juice treatment also plays an important role. It is advisable to choose a week in which there are no public holidays or festivals. Times when there is likely to be a lot of stress are also not ideal. Beginners in particular may find it difficult to stick to a fasting programme when stress levels are high. It is also helpful to clear tempting foods out of the cupboards and buy all the ingredients you need before starting the juice diet. This way, you are not exposed to unnecessary stimuli in the supermarket during the detox phase.

Note: People who are taking medication or suffer from certain pre-existing conditions should only undertake a juice cure after consulting a doctor in order to rule out possible health risks. Juice cures are not suitable for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, children and adolescents.

The detoxification process

During the juice cure, all meals are replaced by freshly prepared vegetable and fruit juices. The advantage of homemade juices is that they contain no preservatives and provide many valuable nutrients in a short time. Industrially produced detox juices are usually heated for a longer shelf life and therefore have a reduced vitamin content. With a juicer, fresh juices can be prepared easily and in large quantities and stored in portions in the fridge, whereby they should be drunk quickly to ensure better nutrient retention. An additional two to three litres of water or herbal tea per day will ensure sufficient hydration. Exercise and fresh air also energise the body: gentle yoga exercises and walks are ideal during a juice cure.

The refeeding phase: gently return to a normal diet

The detox programme is followed by the so-called refeeding phase. This is a slow reintroduction of solid foods, starting with a high-fibre diet with lots of fruit and vegetables. This phase is important to get the body used to a normal diet again and to gently start the digestive process.

In the first few days after the cure, it is advisable to eat only easily digestible foods such as steamed vegetables, soups and fruit and to ensure sufficient fluid intake. The body needs at least two to three litres of water or unsweetened herbal tea a day.

Important tips for a successful juice cure

Here we summarise the most important points of a detox juice cure.

1. Choose the right time
2. Good preparation is everything
3. Stock up on supplies
4. Homemade juices instead of ready-made products
5. Provide variety in the glass
6. Exercise and fresh air energise the body
7. Refeeding phase

If you want to supply your body with valuable vital substances and support it in detoxifying outside of a juice cure lasting several days, you can incorporate the consumption of detox juices into your everyday life - whether as a healthy drink between meals or as a meal replacement in the morning or evening. The juices are also suitable for intermittent fasting and can be ideally integrated into the various methods.