Table of contents:
- What is detox or detox?
- What is a juice detox?
- Does our body really need a detox diet?
- The effects of a detox diet
- Detox diet alternatives
Recent diet trends are growing. Many new types of diets have been introduced to society. Some are based on science, others are based on experience alone. One type of diet that is gaining popularity in the community is the type of detox diet. This diet is claimed to be able to launch the detoxification process so that it helps remove toxins in the body.
What is detox or detox?
The detoxification process in our body is carried out by several organs, namely the liver, kidneys, skin and digestive system. The liver functions to detoxify toxins that come from within the body and from outside the body. Toxins that come from the body, such as bacteria, infections, to stress. Meanwhile, toxins that come from outside the body can come from drugs, preservatives, dyes, flavorings, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, and even beauty products that you normally use. Most types of toxins are fat soluble, making it difficult to remove from the body, especially if you have high levels of fat. In simple terms, the detoxification process functions to neutralize these toxins so that the body can then excrete them in a simpler form, which is water soluble.
There are 2 phases of the detoxification process in the body. The first phase is the phase in which the toxins in the body are neutralized. In this phase, the oxidation process plays a role, which produces quite a lot of free radicals. The next phase, the liver will add another substance to the toxin so that it makes the toxin harmless and water soluble. If the toxin can be dissolved by water, it can leave the body through urine or sweat.
What is a juice detox?
One type of detox diet is a detox using juice. Juice detox recommends consuming only fruit and vegetable juices for a few days. There are also those who add peanut milk as a complement when undergoing this detox. Now there are many companies or caterers that provide detox juice menus, usually detoxing is done for 1 day, 3 days, even up to 5 days.
Does our body really need a detox diet?
Our bodies actually have a mechanism for eliminating existing toxins. The body's organs have been designed in such a way as to neutralize incoming toxins. Unless the toxins that enter your body are very strong, a detox diet is not really necessary. Diets that claim to detoxify the body are still untested, including detox using juices.
The effects of a detox diet
If you decide to go on a detox diet with the aim of losing weight, then this type of diet is not the right diet for you. The calories offered on a detox diet range from 800 calories to 1500 calories. If the number of calories in is more than the calories out, then still you will not experience weight loss. In addition, the type of detox diet that only recommends consuming one type of food (such as detox juice which recommends consuming fruit vegetable juices only) is not recommended for the long term because it can increase the risk of deficiencies in other nutrients.
For those who suffer from certain diseases such as diabetes, for example, it is not recommended to follow this diet because there can be an imbalance in blood sugar levels. Those who are pregnant and breastfeeding are also not recommended because during pregnancy and breastfeeding, complete nutritional intake is needed to support the baby's growth and development.
Some people may feel better after running on a detox diet, not a few who claim the detox diet makes them feel more refreshed and energized. Digestion becomes smoother and the tongue becomes more sensitive to taste. This can be caused because you do not eat foods that are "heavy" for digestion. Meat, fast food, foods high in carbohydrates and fats, all overload your digestive tract. When you do not eat these foods at all and switch to eating only fruit vegetables (especially in liquid form), you may feel that your body becomes lighter and fresher. Smoother digestion is also due to the fruit vegetables you consume, increasing fiber intake certainly helps the digestive system work better.
But there are people who respond negatively to types of diets that restrict calories and types of food. Low calorie counts and inadequate nutrients usually cause a person to feel weak due to reduced blood sugar levels, lack of energy, muscle aches, fatigue, and dizziness and nausea. In addition, if the fruit has become a form of juice, the fiber content is reduced because usually what is consumed is the juice alone, not along with the pulp or pulp-his.
Detox diet alternatives
If you feel like a detox diet isn't for you but you still want the same health benefits, give it a try clean eating. Detox diets usually suggest changing habits and eating patterns either before or after undergoing the diet. One of which is clean eating. Clean eating is a concept of a diet that is dominated by vegetables, fruit, whole grains, lean protein, and other foods that are not subject to over-processing. This habit is good for you to stick to for a long time. Drinking juice can also actually be included in your daily eating habits. For those of you who don't really like whole fruits and vegetables, consuming juice can be an alternative for you to meet your daily fruit vegetable needs.