For years, many people have believed that juice cleanses help detox the body and improve digestion. But MensJournal.com reports that a new study suggests juice fasting might actually do more harm than good.
The study, published in the Nutrients journal, found that drinking only juice for several days could increase harmful bacteria in the gut, leading to inflammation and other health issues.
According to MensJournal.com, researchers studied 14 people on different diets: an all-juice diet, a mix of juice and food, and a plant-based diet. Scientists took saliva, stool, and cheek samples to check how each diet affected the body.
The results showed that people on the all-juice diet had more inflammation-related bacteria, possibly due to the high sugar and low fiber in juice. MensJournal.com highlights that some of these bacteria are linked to cognitive decline and gut problems, raising concerns about long-term health risks.
However, the study was short—only three days—so MensJournal.com explains that more research is needed to fully understand the effects of juice fasting. The scientists believe longer juice cleanses could have even worse effects over time. They also noted that after stopping the juice diet, participants’ gut bacteria slowly returned to normal within two weeks.
Study lead author Dr. Melinda Ring told MensJournal.com that while juicing is often seen as healthy, this research is a “reality check.” Drinking large amounts of juice without fiber may cause imbalances in gut bacteria, potentially leading to inflammation and poor digestion.
However, MensJournal.com also reports that Dr. Ring isn’t completely against juicing. Instead, she suggests blending fruits and vegetables to keep fiber intact or pairing juices with whole foods to protect gut health.
Before starting any juice cleanse or making big diet changes, MensJournal.com advises consulting a doctor.
While juicing is popular, this study serves as a warning that it might not be as healthy as many people believe.
https://www.mensjournal.com/news/juice-cleanse-hurting-gut-increasing-inflammation?utm_source=pushly