Experts share benefits, safety tips

Cleaning up isn’t just for your home. It can be for your gut, too, by way of a cleanse.

The best Juice cleanses and cleanses in general have been around for a while, popular amongst models and influencers but also those who want to detox and introduce more fruits and veggies into their diet.

From popular fresh pressed juices delivered to your home, like the ones from Raw Generation, to wellness shots from Suja Juice, we know there are a lot of options.

We also know that there are pros and cons to a cleanse, especially when done incorrectly, for too long a period or for the wrong reasons, like extreme weight loss.

That’s why we chatted with registered dietitian Mia Syn, MS, RDN, to help explain the do’s and don’ts of a cleanse and how to detox responsibly.

Hop down to our FAQ with her or keep reading to see our top picks worth trying.

Review: The best juice cleanses and companies to try now

Best Overall: Raw Generation

For an array of tasty juices and cleanses to choose from, turn to Raw Generation. They use only 100% raw, plant-based ingredients you can see right on the label, with green juices, beets, carrot and more. They also offer the option to build your own box, choosing flavors and ingredients you love, that are then shipped directly to your door.

“I particularly like that they offer a ‘low in sugar’ cleanse, which will keep your blood sugar stabilized,” said Stephanie Robinson, holistic nutrition coach. As well as offering a higher protein cleanse which will allow you with the fuel to take on your workouts and day.

Our review: We have a super in-depth breakdown of the service here, but for a quick taste test, here is what you need to know. I liked the non-green flavors the best, which were fresh and a bit sweeter than the greens, offering a nice break throughout the day. Out of the three greens flavors, I started and ended the day with the Sweet Greens drink, made of apple and kale.

I loved how the labels also included the ingredients in an easy-to-read way, noting what exactly comprises a “Tart Green” or a “Sweet Root.” In my trial, I drank these in addition to my normal routine, as a way to include more nutrients to my diet, but there are plans for weight loss and other needs in which you can consult your doctor about if they are right for you.

Flavors: Sweet Greens (apple, kale), Cool Greens (pineapple, cucumber), Tart Greens (apple, spinach), Citrus Carrot (orange, carrot) and Sweet Roots (apple, beet).

Suja Organic specializes in cold-pressed, organic juices you can take on the go. Sold on Amazon, they sell both juices and shots, which are smaller and easier to add into any diet for a boost of nutrients.

“All [Suja] juices are organic,” explained Robinson. “With their cleanses they also offer a meal plan, grocery list and mindfulness exercises curated by a Dietitian to support you throughout and after the cleanse.”

Our review: These juices really taste like juice, as opposed to a health drink or something you need to be forced to drink. The cold-pressed juices are all different, with varying amounts of juice percentage, calories and sugars depending on the flavor. Again, I added these to my normal diet, as opposed to only drinking juice, and felt that it was a super easy addition to my meals as a tasty drink or post-work pick-me-up when I felt my blood sugar dropping. The immunity shots were fun to take and tasted pretty great!

The packaging is also super compelling, as it tells you exactly what is inside, plus the juice percentage on the back. The juices come cold, are made to keep in the fridge for five days, and are refreshing — do not expect the consistency of a smoothie with these.

Flavors:Vibrant Probiotic (strawberry, raspberry), Uber Greens (cucumber, celery), Mighty Dozen (apple, celery), Celery Juice and Fuel (carrot, orange). Also includes digestion shots (ginger, pineapple)

Want a remedy for when you open your fridge and nothing healthy is ready to grab and go? Try Remedy Organics. The brand is also available on Amazon and has a variety of wellness shakes, Keto shakes, immunity shots and more to stock your fridge with. They also have a full three-day holistic cleanse, coming with 18 wellness shakes and 12 immunity shots, all made with 100% plant-based ingredients.

“They offer a wide variety of juices, wellness shots, and smoothies that are high in protein and contain prebiotics, probiotics, and superfoods,” explained Robinson. “I particularly like that they offer a blood sugar balancing “keto” juice cleanse option to keep balanced blood sugar and provide you with sufficient fuel.”

Our review: Oh how fun it was to switch to a shake! Even though this isn’t a juice, it was still a cleanse and so I felt it fits the bill for the sake of this article. The shakes came on ice, and were then stored in the fridge until I was ready to drink. My two favorites were the more breakfast-y flavors anyway, and so enjoying the Matcha Fuel and the Super Chai Fuel in the morning instead of my coffee was an easy swap that left me feeling full and ready for the day — plus they both have 12 grams of protein and prebiotics, too!

Flavors: Cacao Essentials (chocolate), Berry Immunity (strawberry), Golden Mind (tumeric, ginger), Matcha Fuel (matcha), Blue Essentials (spirulina) and Super Chai Fuel (chai).

If you don’t have room in the fridge or freezer for a bunch of bottles, these drink mixes are a great alternative from Your Super. The Detox Bundle has a month’s supply of each powder, with five flavors and combinations to help get you feeling on top of your game.

“This would be a great option for someone who is on the go or traveling with their cleanse being a powdered base cleanse as you simply mix the powder with water,” Robinson advised. “This cleanse contains powerful antioxidants, adaptogens, anti-inflammatory ingredients and hormone and gut-focused ingredients.”

Our review: Okay, so this is actually not a traditional juice cleanse, but rather a mix of protein powder, smoothie powders and other health drinks that all work together to detox. Because of that, we decided they fit in this roundup, as they offer similar benefits of adding nutrients to your diet through liquid. Along with having options to promote gut health, there are also powders for skin and hair radiance, as well as hormone and mood support. Each has a concentrated flavor, so a little goes a long way.

I liked how each formula had a different way to use it, so I didn’t get tired of just juice or only smoothies. The Gut Feeling and Super Green can be mixed with water as a juice or shot, the Golden Mellow is like a latte powder, and the Forever Beautiful and Skinny Protein are smoothie add-ins. The 5-Day-Detox set also comes with a pamphlet that outlines how to use each mix, as well as provides a grocery list for smoothies, salads and more to eat throughout the five days (or as you want, like I did!).

Flavors: Gut Feeling (celery, lemon, ginger), Golden Mellow (turmeric, coconut milk), Super Green (wheatgrass, spirulina), Forever Beautiful (chia, açaí) and Skinny Protein (pea protein, hemp protein)

We got the good stuff. Good Stuff Juices is also sold on Amazon, shipping to your door and ready to pop in the freezer until ready to drink. They sell both a three-day and a five-day cleanse package, but you can stock up and sip your juices whenever you feel the craving for cold-pressed and organic fruits and veggies.

The brand has “five different types of organic juice cleanses and an option to build your own box — there is a wide variety to choose from for your specific lifestyle and goals,” Robinson said. “As well as offering sea moss infused and protein-rich juices.”

Our review: These flavors are amazing! That was my first thought when unboxing the juices (and sticking them directly in the freezer — note: you need to drink these within 24 hours of being thawed, so this does take some planning!) They included some of my favorite fruits like pear, watermelon and even grapefruit, so I knew these would be great.

Again, I only added these to my diet instead of doing a full cleanse, but since they taste delicious it was easy to add them to my meals as my drink, replacing soda and other artificial beverages for me fully. The Mint Melon flavor was my favorite, reminding me of a summer day, but all the flavors are truly fresh and taste just like the ingredients labeled on the front of each bottle. Although there was some weight-focused language, Good Stuff Juices is mostly wellness focused, which I found a major pro.

Flavors: Summer Shine (pineapple, kale), Mint Melon (watermelon, mint), Candy Apple (apple, carrot, ginger), Lemon Ginger Blast (lemon, ginger, celery) and Granddaddy Grapefruit (grapefruit, pear)

FAQ:

What is a juice cleanse?

A juice cleanse can be all-in or gradual, but the base is typically fruit and vegetable juice blends, packed with leafy greens like kale and spinach and other nutrient-dense foods like carrots, beets, green apple, lemons and more.

The purpose for many is to “detox” the body by flushing out any processed foods, only introducing raw and organic fruits and veggies for the duration of the cleanse. In many cases, that is why you are permitted to snack on specific foods in non-juice form if you get hungry, which also helps if you have a need to chew.

The purpose of a cleanse should not be to lose weight, as this type of calorie deficit is not sustainable and can lead to poor nutrition and eating habits. That is also why it is only recommended to do a cleanse for a few days at most, following the proper before- and after-care listed below.

A juice cleanse can also be more gradual, with juices being consumed between small meals throughout the day. This type of eating helps give the body a boost of fruits and vegetables without depriving it (or you!) of other things like protein, carbs and healthy fats. This way of drinking juices is also less restrictive and easier to maintain, making it a great option to test the waters.

How should I prepare my body before a cleanse?

Even though you may miss your cheeseburgers for a bit, eating a huge meal before starting a cleanse isn’t a great idea.

“To make a cleanse less of a shock to the body, you can start easing in by adjusting
your diet accordingly. Eliminate or reduce stimulants such as caffeine and alcohol, foods high in sugar and fat as well as refined carbohydrates,” said Syn.

What should I do after the cleanse is over?

Similarly, ending a cleanse isn’t the end of your health journey either, should you want the feel-good effects to actually last. While continuing to avoid alcohol and caffeine, Syn listed some additional tips for coming out of the cleanse, too.

“After a cleanse, focus on nutritious whole foods such as the same fruits and vegetables
in their whole form, whole grains and lean proteins,” said Syn. “Avoid foods that are high in fat or added sugar. As you reintroduce foods, continue to stay hydrated.”

Are there any safety concerns in doing a juice cleanse?

As with any change to your diet or restrictive eating, the first thing to note is if you are physically and mentally healthy enough to participate. Those who aim to lose weight quickly or replace food entirely should not try a juice cleanse, as it can be a slippery slope to disordered eating. Also, for those of whom are pregnant, nursing, underweight or those with any health conditions, a trip to the doctor or nutritionist is advised before altering your diet.

“The low calorie and low protein content of juice can also cause low blood sugar leading to headaches and dizziness,” warned Syn. “Also, important to note — typically when the body is restricted of calories, they are regained, so a juice cleanse is not a sustainable eating pattern for someone seeking weight loss.”

Another concern is duration. Syn suggests no more than three days, and to make sure to listen to your body and eat whole foods when needed at any point.

How do you choose the best juice cleanse for your body?

“When choosing to do a juice cleanse, I think it’s important to be sure you’re providing your body with fuel that will help you balance out your blood sugar,” Robinson said. “One of my major tools in weight loss and inflammation reduction is always having healthy fats, protein, greens, and fibre at each meal, which can often be hard to achieve with juice cleansing. Opt for juices that are pure greens to keep your blood sugar balances and add in juices or smoothies that are high in protein to have enough energy to fuel your body and keep a clear mind throughout your cleanse.”

What is the best juice to detox your body?

As we covered with our RDN, many gravitate toward juice cleanses to detox from processed foods. According to a 2022 in The Lancet, consuming a diet rich in processed eats increases your risk of chronic disease, so that’s a good reason to nix the potato chips and burgers.

Having said all this, subsisting on juice isn’t sustainable over the long haul. In the end, the best juice cleanses are the ones that help retrain your palette to take pleasure in simpler, more whole flavors.

Older studies, like this one from 2016, have shown that citrus-based juices, may reduce oxidative stress, which is responsible for the pre-mature aging of cells. The Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics also published in 2015, findings that certain foods can detoxify the liver.

When searching detoxifying ingredients in juice cleanses, we were seriously impressed by the offerings from Your Super. Specifically, the Super Green Powder, has amazing superfoods, including moringa, spirulina, barley grass, and chlorella. The Skinny Protein Powder is also impressive. It also features moringa, as well as pea protein and hemp protein. Both are certified organic too, and can be enjoyed as snacks between main meals.

Is a juice cleanse the best way to lose weight?

Straight answer — no. It’s not, especially if you’re after long lasting, sustainable weight loss. Although there is some evidence that a 3 day juice cleanse can lead to dropping the pounds (mainly because of the shift in gut bacteria), you’ll miss out on vital macronutrients, such as protein, as well as fiber.

According to the CDC, maintaining a healthy weight is mostly about lifestyle habits, such as exercising regularly, reducing stress, and making dietary choices based on your body’s specific needs.

While there are definitely juices cleanses that may support your weight loss goals (we liked Remedy Organics because the wellness shakes have substantial protein and healthy fat), you can — and should — chew real food while trimming down.

Are juice cleanses actually good for you?

Juicing can have health benefits, as well as health risks. For those who are trying to eat healthy or boost nutrition, a short juice cleanse may give the digestive system a much needed break. However, some can be high in sugar and lacking in key nutrients, so it’s important to read the nutritional label when selecting one.

A person also runs the risk of not getting an appropriate amount of calories when juice cleansing. Making plans to eat small meals with healthy fats, carbs and proteins, as Syn advises, along with juicing, is likely to be better for your overall health.

If you’re interested in losing weight or are seeking to address serious health concerns with a juice cleanse, speak to your medical physician first. They will be able to tailor a program specific to your needs and offer the proper recommendations and resources.

What will a 3-day juice cleanse do?

The idea behind a 3-day juice cleanse is that it will flush the body of toxins while giving the digestive system a break. In theory, consuming fresh fruits and vegetables is easier to digest and also has important micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) that the body needs to function.

However, carbohydrates, proteins and fats are a vital part of a healthy diet, and the body needs macronutrients to thrive. Going for long periods without them can lead to headaches, shifts in mood, and tiredness. For these reasons, medical experts don’t typically prescribe such cleanses but advocate for a well-balanced diet instead.

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