DETOXING DECODED
Hurom’s resident nutrition specialist, Esther Chow of NuHealth Studio, explained that while our bodies have a self-healing power, the toxins we absorb through eating unnatural and unhealthy foods, compounded by our urban lifestyles and festive over-indulgence, can suppress this natural function in many of us. Juice detox is an effective way to re-activate our bodies’ self-healing power by boosting metabolism, activating the body’s natural cell repair process and flushing out the toxins.

“Studies have shown that fasting may boost the growth hormones of our body, which stimulates the colon’s functions and helps to release toxins,” shared Esther. “Studies have also shown that fasting plays an important role for cell repairing and regeneration. It triggers a natural process called autophagy (literally ‘self-eating’), the body’s system of house cleaning. Our cells create membranes that eat the bad cells and use the resulting molecules for energy or to make new cell parts.”

Aside from ‘resting’ our digestive systems and promoting the release and elimination of toxins, juice detox also allows our bodies to more easily absorb the vitamins and antioxidants extracted from fresh vegetables and fruits. Moreover, it enables us to stock up on enzymes, which may only be found in raw food and play an important role for every chemical action and reaction in the body. Our organs, tissues, and cells are all run by metabolic enzymes. Minerals, vitamins, and hormones need enzymes to be present in order to do their work properly.

JUICING BUDDIES
In general, any natural and pesticide-free vegetables and fruits all have their own benefits. For example, leafy green vegetable juice helps cleanse the liver; and red juice from carrots and beetroots is good for the cardiovascular system. That said, carrots, apples and lemons are the most commonly used produce in juice detox.

Carrots are a rich source of Vitamin A, which the body can quickly assimilate and use to support the activation of Vitamins B, C, D, E, G, and K. They boost appetite, aid digestion, strengthen teeth and bones, promote colon health and hep prevent infections.

Apples contain abundant phytochemicals, carotenoids and flavonoids, which are believed to help fight cancer and heart disease and support respiratory health. They are also high in pectin, which helps the body to cleanse and release toxins from the digestive tract in order to ease the load on the liver during the detox process.

Lemons are powerful detox agents, brimming with vitamin C and anti-inflammatory properties.

THREE DELISH JUICE DETOX RECIPES

Green Juice

• 1 green apple
• ¼ large cucumber
• ¼ bitter gourd
• 2 stalks of celery

Red Juice

• 1 medium size carrot
• 2 stalks of celery
• 1 large tomato
• 1 lemon

Rainbow Juice

• ¼ large pineapple
• 1 green apple
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 yellow bell pepper

GO SLOW, NOT FAST
Ideally, use a slow juicer for preparing your detox juice blends. While centrifugal juicers usually juice at higher speed and take slightly less time to extract the juices, the heat of the machine can kill some enzymes. Therefore, the nutritional value of juice extracted using a slow juicer tends to be higher than that of juice using a conventional centrifugal juicer.

Furthermore, juice extracted using a slow juicer vs. a centrifugal juicer is higher in insoluble fibre, which has proven benefits for colon health. It is also froth-free, and does not separate into layers as juice extracted using a centrifugal juicer tends to do. And if you’re still not convinced of the compelling benefits for ‘going slow’, slow juicers yield up to 35% more juice and visibly less waste than juice extracted from centrifugal juicers.

CULTIVATE A HEALTHY HABIT
For adults who enjoy general good health, juice detox can be safely practised one day per month, or three consecutive days per quarter. To optimise the effectiveness of the detox process, no solid food or other beverages (except for water) should be consumed for the duration of the detox period. A one-day detox gives our bodies a rest, and recovery is generally quick. A three-day detox programme aims for a deep cleansing of the blood vessels and other organs.

“Balance is key. Detox is like a reset of our system, and should not be overdone. You should stick to a simple diet for a day or two before any intensive detox programme. This is to prepare the body for a full detox,” advised Esther. “You should slowly get back to your normal routine after the detox to allow the body to slowly restart its digestive function.”

Mild detox symptoms, such as headaches, are common and normal. This shows that the body is working hard to get rid of the toxins in the body. However, if anyone experiences abnormal symptoms, he/she should stop the detox process and seek professional help.

JOY OF JUICING
A glass of fresh juice is so much tastier and enjoyable than a multi-vitamin pill. Whether you are embarking on a post-holiday juice detox or simply interested in adding fibre and nutritional value to your diet, consider juicing. But remember, select your fresh fruits and veggies carefully – the juice is only as good as the produce that goes into it!

Sources:
Food Enzymes The Missing Link to Radiant Health, Humbart Santillo, MH, N.D.
Fresh Vegetable and Fruit Juices, N.W. Walker D. Sc.

With thanks to:

Hurom Singapore
www.hurom.com.sg

Esther Chow
Nutrition Specialist
NuHealth