A number of diets are considered vegetable juice diets because the menu is partially or totally comprised of vegetable juice.
History of Juicing Vegetables
Drinking vegetable juices is nothing new. Back in 1937 a Day of Beauty became part of the health routine of people who had read Bengamin Gayelord Hauser's Eat and Grow Beautiful. On this "Day of Beauty" once a week, individuals confined their diets to their favorite fruit and vegetable juices and salads.
For decades, people have used various vegetable and fruit juices not only as supplemental beverages, but to help alleviate symptoms or even cure certain conditions. One of the most noted experts from those early years was Dr. Norman W. Walker.
Dr. Norman W. Walker
Dr. Walker established the Norwalk Laboratory of Nutritional Chemistry and Scientific Research in New York in 1910. His work related to how long life and well-being are interconnected. His research brought about the discovery of the beneficial and therapeutic value found in fresh vegetable juices. Dr. Walker's books are still popular today as they explain how raw juices provide live enzymes to nourish the body on a cellular level and build and clean the body from the inside out. Drinking raw vegetable juice brings about detoxification which Dr. Walker claimed is necessary to keep he body healthy and strong. His work continues to be a valued resource today.
Benefits Derived from Drinking Vegetable Juice
The benefits of drinking fresh vegetable juices are many, the first of which is that it is the easiest way to help people consume their recommended daily intake of vegetables. Following a vegetable juice fast, cleanse, or diet provides a number of benefits including:
- Helps Cleanse the body of toxins
- Boots metabolism
- More energy
- More stamina
- High in vitamins
- High in minerals
- High in antioxidants
- Strengthens the immune system
- Helps curb appetite and eliminate cravings
- Weight Loss
Vegetable Juice Diets
Some people use vegetable juice as a way to fast. Others choose juices specifically for detoxification, and/or weight loss. Popular diets that include vegetable juices as part of their diet plans include:
Juice Fasts
A juice fast is usually followed for 1-5 days. People choose to follow a juice fast for a number of different reasons from spiritual to physical. On the physical side, they are often used as a weight loss method, but beyond that people choose to detoxify their bodies. No matter the reason behind a juice fast most people will experience renewed energy.When taking part in a juice fast or vegetable juice only diet, the only "food" taken in are 100 percent fresh fruit and/or vegetable juices. These juices can sometimes be diluted with purified or distilled water.
Cautions
If you decide to follow a vegetable juice diet, it should last no longer than a few days. While this diet helps rid your body of wastes and provides valuable nutrients, they won't meet all your nutritional needs for long-term good health.
Some diets say not to combine vegetable and fruit juices, while others say it is fine. The thing to keep in mind is that vegetable juice does not raise insulin levels while fruit juices do.
Best Vegetables to Juice
If you've never tried vegetable juice before, a favorite beginner's juice is made from carrots. However, it is important to note that not all carrots taste the same and it is no different for the juice they produce. Across the board, most people enjoy the sweet juice rendered by carrots grown in California.
Most vegetables can be juiced but people devoted to juicing recommend the following for people just starting out:
- Red Romaine
- Green Romaine
- Escarole
- Carrots
- Celery
- Cucumbers
- Beets
- Wheatgrass
- Parsley
- Garlic
Dr. Walker's books include tables that explain ratios and combinations of different juices to help specific health conditions. For example, adding beet to your juice is said to help kidney disorders.
