It's that time of year that we try to kickstart those summer health resolutions and for many of us, it's to be healthier. Celebrities from Gwyneth Paltrow to Carol Vorderman praise the benefits of a juice cleanse for improving health, but what is one and how on earth do you start a juice cleanse?
If you're looking for a way to reboot and recharge, a juice cleanse could be perfect for getting your body - and mind - sharp and ship shape. Juice cleanses can benefit your skin, sleep, and even your immunity.
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Salma Hayek is such an advocate of juicing, she started her own juicing business, Cooler Cleanse. "After doing a juice cleanse, I'm motivated to eat healthier and not emotionally," Salma says. "It makes me stop, focus and think about what I'm putting into my body. I'm making a commitment to my health and hitting the reset button."
Fancy a slice of the juicing action? The good news is, juice cleanses have come a long way from the days when you had to be BFFs with a blender to even get started. Nowadays they come delivered straight to your door, ready-made and tailored to give you the daily nutrients you need.
Benefits of a juice cleanse
A juice cleanse is typically done to detox the body of toxins like sugar and alcohol, and can give your gut a rest so it works better. People swear by juice cleanses for everything from weight loss to clearer skin, more energy, a stronger immunity and better sleep.
It's also a way to flood your body with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals from a range of fruit and vegetables - great if you struggle to get your five-a-day.
Cons of a juice cleanse
Juice cleanses aren't for everyone. I've tried a few and fared differently, from finding them easy to follow as long as my activity on the day was at a minimum, to not being able to finish them. I found myself craving cucumber, just to crunch something, so definitely ease yourself in with a one day cleanse.
Always consult your doctor or a health professional if you are going to embark on one.
Juice cleanses can be expensive, and if you've got a hectic schedule, it's best to leave trying one until you're a little less busy.
How many days does a juice cleanse last?
A juice cleanse typically lasts from one to seven days, depending on the one you choose. Newbies are recommended to try one for one to two days and the more experienced can juice cleanse for seven days.
What should you eat after a juice cleanse?
Before embarking on a juice cleanse (consult with your doctor first), you probably think you'll be craving pizza and chocolate post-cleanse, but a juice cleanse also affects your metabolism and people find they're less hungry afterwards. But when you do return to solids, keep it light - think steamed vegetables, whole foods such as nuts and a little fruit.
Add a green smoothie to your daily diet too (experts suggest first thing in the morning) and try to swap caffeine with hot water and lemon.
Best juice cleanses
The best juice cleanse to do with a friend
Worried you lack the motivation to see a juice cleanse through? Juicing with a friend could be the answer to your problems. Press' Couples Cleanse includes eight juices per person per day, from tasty vegan milkshakes to green juices and vegetable juices, plus you save 10% by doing it together. Everybody wins.
Top review: "Great for a first try, but for someone who prefers savoury over sweet, it was a little too sweet! Loved it though."
The best Amazon juice cleanse
Choose from four different juice cleanses, including a mixed fruit, mint, apple and spirulina, and this, the raw smoothie mix. Full of fresh, raw produce, they're as delicious as they are healthy.
Top review: "I was interested in doing a cleanse to complement my fitness regime and this ticked all the boxes. The smoothies were great tasting and filling, without any added sugars (a big plus), and I felt great following my cleanse. Highly recommended!"
The best medicinal juice cleanse
This award-winning juice cleanse uses highly potent superfoods, created using a mix of adaptogens, medicinal mushrooms, ayurvedic herbs, tonics and their signature raw cold- pressed juices, to help improve overall health and liver function. Helps to improve energy and how you body deals with stress.
The best juice cleanse to support immunity
Give your immunity a big old boost with Press' immunity soup cleanse, designed to nourish and strengthen yours.
We LOVE that it’s not just juices (theirs are cold-pressed juices); there’s also delicious warming soups and booster shots to mix things up. Choose from a two-day, three-day or five-day cleanse.
Top review: "Got so much energy after 48 hours."
The best juice cleanse for beginners
Fruit and vegetable juices as well as nut milks are included in Radiance’s signature juice cleanse, recommended for first-timers or those wanting to ease their way into a juice cleanse. Choose from a one-day cleanse up to a five-day cleanse.
The best juice cleanse for a sugar detox
We know sugar is an addiction which is hard to break (even Davina McCall has spoken of her struggle to quit the sweet stuff) but if you’re wanting to try and break yours, or at least ease up on the sugar, Presscription’s sugar detox cleanse is designed for those struggling with their sugar and carb cravings.
It’s said to 'reset' your body’s natural hunger and keep blood sugar levels balanced. Choose from a three-day, five-day or seven-day cleanse.
Top review: "I have to say I was bit sceptical at first, I have tried intermittent fasting before which made me constantly hungry and furious. This however didn’t make me hungry at all, and telly improved my sugar cravings for quite some time. Also my skin looked absolutely amazing. I would definitely recommend this juicing if you are looking for a quick fix of your sugar cravings."
READ: Davina McCall concerns fans after making extreme diet change for her health
The best green juice cleanse
Recommended for those who’ve juice cleansed before, an all-green juice cleanse isn’t for the faint-hearted - but is said to help improve your skin and your sleep.
Start with this one-day all-green juice cleanse, which even includes some detox bath salts for you to reward yourself with after a hard-day of juicing.
Top review: "Love how convenient these are to have a delicious juice and get more fruit and veg to be healthier. I’m super fussy and hardly like any fruit or veg but these are really nice! It also means I’m getting the fruit and veg I wouldn’t ever eat."
The best juice cleanse for the 5.2 diet
This Plenish juice cleanse is designed to kick start weight loss without leaving you feeling hungry. Intended to be used on your fasting days as part of the popular 5:2 diet, it includes six 250ml cold pressed juices made with 3kg of organic produce.
They feel fairly substantial but total just 600 calories for the whole day - so it's not for beginners. It's also one of the more eco-friendly cleanses, coming with a glass straw and recyclable bottles.
The best juice cleanse to make at home
Of course, if you want to DIY your juice cleanse, you'll need some basics - a juice cleanse book and a juicer!
The Great Detox Miracle Cleanse for Men and Women, £9.98, Amazon
Plenish: Juices to boost, cleanse and heal, £3.48, Amazon
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Sage Nutri Juicer XL, £249.95, Lakeland
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Ninja Cold Press Juicer, £99, Amazon
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