Anyone with a mild interest in health these days has likely run across the juicing. Gone are the days when we choose pills, supplements, and diet protein powders to get rid of the belly fat. More people are getting on the natural food movement and learning to flood their systems with life-giving enzymes and vital nutrients that help their bodies work more efficiently and shed weight faster.
What is Juicing?
Juicing is the extraction of liquid from vegetables and fruits to remove the fiber. What remains are delicious live enzymes, vitamins, and minerals present in some of Mother Nature’s best offerings, all in the form of a convenient beverage that you can sip on for greater energy and vitality.
While smoothie production involves using the entire fruit or vegetable, juice extraction removes the pulp from the fruit, making vital nutrients more easily assimilated and used by the body’s cells.
Juicing is also synonymous with juice fasting and detoxification. A typical juice “fast” lasts one to three days, with some people choosing to go as long as seven days. During this time, they experience mild detoxification effects that alternate with surges of euphoric energy and vitality unlike anything felt before.
Does Juicing Work for Weight Loss?
Weight loss can be condensed to a simple formula of calories in vs. calories out, and juicing tends to restrict calories severely, so it can help you lose weight and burn fat short term. Juicing may not be considered a long-term alternative for some, including those with chronic conditions or those who maintain high levels of activity that require a higher caloric intake.
When you restrict calories, you burn through glycogen or carbohydrate stores, and it takes water weight with it. After excess water weight is shed, certain combinations of juice from fruits and vegetables can target stubborn fat reserves. Still, one must know the function of different produce types and what will most efficiently shed fat and burn off stubborn pounds. Juicing is not meant to be a long-term substitute for eating healthfully and exercising, incorporating healthy habits into daily life to keep weight maintenance reasonably simple.
Benefits of Juicing
Some of the many benefits to be had from incorporating fresh juices into your daily regime include:
- Better nutrient absorption
- More variety regarding produce consumption
- Increases good bacteria in the gut
- It helps to fight cancer and strengthen immunity
- It helps to lower high cholesterol and high blood pressure
- Assists with our bodies’ natural detoxification processes
- It helps to reduce blood sugar levels
- Improves the feel and textures of skin
- Improves athletic performance
- It helps to burn off stubborn fat stores, especially around the belly
This last benefit of juice fasting that we are most interested in and one that we will discuss in detail as we present some of the most efficient fat-burning juice recipes.
Our Favourite Fat Burning Juice Recipes
Certain combinations of fruits and vegetables are known to have fat-burning and fat-reducing benefits. These juices are power-packed with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients needed for proper detoxification and metabolism-boosting functions. Here are some tried and true delicious combos to get you started on your weight loss and fat loss journey:
Vibrant lemonade
This is a deliciously sweet introduction to the world of juicing, and it has fantastic fat-burning properties. Not only does it have a vibrant color, but it will also make your tastebuds sing; consume in the morning for a boost of energy and a fantastic way to start the day:
Ingredients
Makes 6 oz serving
- 1 lemon with the rind
- 1/2 beetroot, washed and trimmed—no greens
- Juice of 4/5 carrots, run through with greens
Preparation
Wash and prepare all produce, then run through your juicer, making sure that carrots go through last. Enjoy alone or sip as a cocktail over some cracked ice. Calories: 130 per six-ounce serving.
Dr. Oz’s Green Drink
It’s no secret that Dr. Oz has taken the pop health community by storm with his helpful tips for living our best lives. His fresh, clean green drink is no exception, and thanks to the accolades of Oprah and other celebrity clients singing its praises, we are also curious as to what it will do for us.
This drink was quite hard to track down; as we searched for it and found a reputable version of the recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 medium green apples
- 1 cucumber
- 3 stalks of celery
- 1 bunch of parsley
- 1 lime with rind
- 2 cups of spinach
- 1/2 lemon with rind
- 1-inch slice of ginger
Preparation
Wash and cut all vegetables so that they will fit in your juicer chute. Starting with the greens and parsley, express all through your juicer, finishing with the cucumber. This recipe yields about 32 fl oz, with a total calorie content of 202 calories. Feel free to split it into smaller portions for all-day enjoyment.
What About Single Fruit Juices?
For those of you still wanting juice benefits without all of the washing and prep needed with multiple fruit/vegetable combinations, there are some simple juices that you can incorporate into your daily routine for fat loss benefits.
Lemon Juice
Vitamin C and several antioxidants help to flush toxins out of the body and help cellular renewal. This potent juice can not only stimulate your taste buds, but your metabolism gets a serious kick in the pants with every mouthful. Not for the faint or beginning juicer; you’ll need to prepare for a sour ride with every delicious glass.
Kale Juice
Not only does kale juice strengthen immunity, but it can also improve the look and feel of your outer body and bones. Antioxidants present in kale juice help t slow down the aging process because they help prevent free radical damage to the skin. Kale juice also contributes to developing a healthy microbiome, a critical factor in weight maintenance and proper digestion.
Grapefruit Juice
In addition to grapefruit’s known ability to boost metabolism and burn fat, it has heart-protective properties, and it is used to reduce inflammation throughout the body. Antioxidants such as beta carotene and vitamin A boost immunity and foster proper cellular repair and renewal.
Celery Juice
Celery juice is a nutritional powerhouse; just one cup of this savory wonder has daily mineral requirements such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Its antioxidant properties help to lower inflammation and reduce chronic pain. When consumed regularly, celery juice can stimulate thyroid function, normalize and regulate metabolism, leading to weight loss.
Pomegranate Juice
Not only will your skin regain its youthful glow, you’ll find that consumption of pomegranate juice will also stimulate your metabolism and reduce appetite. Antioxidants, polyphenols, and conjugated linoleic acid all work to flush toxins from the body and re-set the metabolism, making your digestion and elimination easier.
Quick FAQs
Can you lose weight by juicing?
Although studies have been inconclusive regarding lasting weight loss, it is reported that short-term juice fasts or cleanses work well to flush excess water weight and fat from the body. It is best to maintain good eating habits consistently for lasting results.
Which juice is best?
Loyal juice enthusiasts all have their favorites, yet no single juice is considered “best” for weight loss. Using various fruits and vegetables while juicing will ensure that you receive the vital vitamins and nutrients needed for optimal health.
How often should I drink the juice?
The best answer is “it depends”—–when do you feel best? Do short juice fasts suit you? Are you better off incorporating it into your daily intake? Only you can decide what type of juice regime to implement for better health. Talk to your doctor before attempting to implement a longer juice fast, for you may need to be monitored to ensure such a journey’s safety and efficacy.
Are there any side effects of juicing?
A juice fast involves detoxification of almost all body systems; thus, one should be aware of unpleasant side effects such as nausea, weakness, and fatigue as your body sloughs off toxins in large quantities.
Incorporating juice into your diet daily along with other foods will result in fewer incidents of these symptoms; talk to your doctor if you intend to implement a juice fast, as he may have helpful tips and suggestions for increasing its efficiency.
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