The Cleanse Trend: Pros & Cons

By Jaclyn Castaldo

Water bottles used to be an omnipresent accessory, but today it’s nearly as common to see stylish women carrying a bottle of cold-pressed, organic juice as they go about their day.

Juice bars are popping up on every corner in Dallas, from Nekter in Snider Plaza to THE GEM in Preston Center to Number One Les Jus in Highland Park Village.  They seem to be the newest lifestyle fad.

One Nekter employee says that business has been great ever since the juice bar opened in Snider Plaza. They have noticed lots of students coming in between classes to grab a juice or smoothie.

Juice-based detoxes and cleanses have become so mainstream, you may feel you’re doing something wrong if you haven’t juiced at least once. And the cleanses are good for you, right? It’s debatable. Juice cleanses have become more controversial as they’ve become more popular.

According to New Beauty Magazine, juice cleansing has its pros and cons:

Pros:

• Toxins are removed
• You’re consuming large amounts of vegetables and fruits
• Energy levels are increased
• Skin looks more radiant
• Causes minimal weight loss

Cons:

• Can be dangerous for people with eating disorder tendencies
• Can leave out critical nutrients your body needs to function properly
• Is expensive
• Increases cravings for sugar and carbs
• Removes fiber (which can lead to rapid fat storage)

 

Lee Lynch, a senior at SMU, has jumped on the juicing bandwagon. She says that while the three-day cleanse she completed last Decemeber was tough she loved the results.

“The first day I felt very groggy and crashed around 3 p.m. The second day I felt better than ever.  I had more energy and didn’t feel hungry whatsoever,” she says. “The third day was the hardest. I was craving everything, especially the sensation of chewing food.”

Juice cleanses are a good way to flush your system, lose some water weight and feel like you’re getting a clean slate.  However, they can be dangerous for some people, says Karin Hosenfeld, a licensed, board-certified sports dietitian in the state of Texas.

“Nutritionally speaking, a cleanse can actually be detrimental to overall health,” she says. “If the cleanse involves strictly fruit juice, the result is low in protein and essential fats that the body needs in order to maintain necessary bodily functions such as temperature regulation, a strong immune system and hormonal balance.

“During long cleanses, muscle mass may be lost as well, ” Hosenfeld says.

Of course, eating the right foods on a regular basis will still give you the same results you’re expecting from a juice fast.  But the cleanse trend isn’t going anywhere.  So remember: Juice responsibly.