What Is the History of Juice Cleanses and Their Rise to Popularity?
You’ve probably heard about juice cleanses before, either from a friend or an acquaintance who has touted their benefits and experiences. Perhaps you’ve considered doing one for yourself. With a little research, you can discover the many great experiences others have had with a variety of juice cleanses.
Before you make any decision regarding your diet or health, however, you should be as informed as possible about the topic. It’s also good practice to discuss with your general physician or family doctor.
Different juice cleanses can be used for a wide range of wellness goals, which means the right cleanse for someone else might not be the right one for you. And if you’ve never tried a juice cleanse before, you should be ready for some of the changes your body will experience.
Let’s take a deep dive into the world of juice cleanses and the history of juice cleanses, exploring how this unique wellness strategy could make a significant difference in your day-to-day or even long-term health.
Table of contents:
- What Is a Juice Cleanse?
- Early History of Juice Cleanses
- Juice Cleansing for Religious Reasons
- Juice Cleanses in Modern Day
- How Fresh Juice is Made
- Today’s Health-Focused Juice Cleanses
- Should You Try a Juice Cleanse?
What Is a Juice Cleanse?
A juice cleanse is a short-term change in diet in which you either consume juice exclusively or consume mostly juice, along with some solid food. Juice cleanses can range from 8 hours to 10 days or more. Partial day cleanses exist too including Clean Juice’s Juice ‘Til Dinner cleanse, which is only 4 bottled juices.
Most juice-only cleanses will be shorter, while longer cleanses will often include some solid food (we recommend organic food, of course). However, some more extreme juice-only cleanses last for multiple days at a time – like a 5 day juice cleanse (that’s 30 bottled juices!). These types of cleanses are usually prescribed for a specific purpose and monitored by a medical professional.
Most people who use juice cleanses will remain on the plan for one to three days. While some use juice cleanses primarily for the physical effects, it’s common to get a great deal of value out of the mental effects as well.
Some of the most common physical benefits that people experience during and after juice cleanses include:
- Improved digestion
- Weight loss
- Clearer skin
- Increased energy
- Enhanced focus
The goal of most juice cleanses is to clear the body of toxins and give the digestive system a break. This process causes many of the positive health effects of the cleanse. Specific effects will depend on the type and length of the juice cleanse, but these physical results are the primary reasons that juice cleanses are so popular.
Juice cleanses can also have a significant impact on mental and even spiritual well-being. Some of the mental benefits can include:
- Reduced stress
- Better focus
- Increased connection to self
- Mood stability support
- Better sleep
With this impressive combination of physical and mental benefits, it’s clear why people are drawn to juice cleanses.
A juice cleanse can be especially effective if you’ve been consuming large amounts of processed food and have been seeing and feeling the effects of these food choices, such as low energy, acne breakouts, brain fog, and poor sleep quality.
During your juice cleanse, you’ll give your system some time away from processed food and feed it only high-quality nutrients, which will leave you feeling so much healthier inside and out.
Are you interested in learning more about Clean Juice cleanses? Check out our page dedicated to such so you can become an expert before you begin cleansing.
Early History of Juice Cleanses
Juice cleanses have risen in popularity in the last few decades. In fact, this diet strategy is more accessible than it has ever been. However, the concept of a juice cleanse is not new.
One of the earliest instances of drinking juice for health reasons may date back when a tribe near modern-day Israel known as the Essenes mashed figs and pomegranates to access the health-boosting juices within these fruits.
Since then, the concept of juicing has come a long way within the medical field as well as the worldwide community of health enthusiasts.
In the 1920s, the German-American physician Max Gerson created one of the first health-focused diets based on consuming fruits and vegetables. At the time, this diet aimed to treat patients battling cancer and other chronic diseases. However, it was adopted by many for its general health-boosting and disease-preventing properties.
Throughout the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s, juicing veggies and fruits became one of the most popular ways to consume these essential nutrient-dense foods. The first commercial juicers were created, making it possible to enjoy fresh juice from the comfort of one’s home.
Wheatgrass, a commonly known health-boosting juice today, was popularized by health food guru Ann Wigmore in the 1960s. And since the 1970s, juice cleansing has continued to gain traction. In the 1980s and ’90s, celebrities started to endorse juice cleanses, boosting their popularity even further.
While it started as a way for the small community of health food enthusiasts to consume more of their favorite foods, juice cleanses gradually made their way into the mainstream.
Juice Cleansing for Religious Reasons
Cleanses and fasts can be found in the common practices of many religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. One made popular recently by actor Chris Pratt, is the Daniel Fast.
During a religious fast or cleanse, the focus is generally on the spiritual and mental benefits rather than the physical effects. Many devout people use periods of fasting or cleansing to feel more connected to their faith or gain greater mental clarity.
In some religious fasts, no food or drink is allowed for a period of time, sometimes even including water. However, some religious fasts allow certain beverages, including fruit or vegetable juice, that contain nutrients to help keep fasters energized and alert. This allows them to fully participate in the religious significance of the fast without feeling faint or fatigued.
Make sure that you have the support of a medical professional before embarking on a fast or extended juice cleanse, whether for religious or personal reasons.
Juice Cleanses in the Modern Day
Throughout the history of juice cleanses, this wellness tool has evolved a great deal from its humble beginnings in 150 B.C.
Juice cleanses are no longer a rare fad that only health fanatics take part in. Today, most people have tried or at least heard of juice cleanses and understand the positive health effects they can have when done properly.
Not only are juice cleanses at the height of their popularity, but they’re also more accessible than ever before.
Plenty of affordable at-home juicers are available for purchase anywhere kitchen appliances are sold. This means you can follow a predetermined juicing plan from home or simply create your own delicious and healthy concoctions out of your favorite fruits and vegetables.
Brands like Clean Juice are making it more convenient than ever has been in the history of juice cleanses to get everything you need for the perfect juice cleanse delivered right to your door. Learn more and then join our Cleanse Club to get involved in the Clean Juice community!
How Fresh Juice Is Made
Creating healthy and tasty juices is easier than it’s ever been. That’s because there are so many different types of juices you can purchase.
Throughout the history of juice cleanses, most commercial machines have created juice by pushing pieces of fruit and vegetables through a series of sharp blades. The blades move extremely fast, allowing the machine to extract the juice within seconds.
But in the last several years, cold-pressed juice has become a very popular way to consume this healthy beverage, especially during juice cleanses.
Some standard methods of juicing might reduce the nutritional value of whole fruits and vegetables. That’s because most standard juicers separate the pulp from the juice, which is often one of the most nutrient-dense parts of a vegetable or fruit.
Another common reason nutrients are removed during the juicing process is the application of heat.
Standard hydraulic juicers that use blades to extract juice can apply heat to the fruits and vegetables being juiced. This heat can damage the nutritional content of the foods. That’s why many juice-making companies are now using the cold pressing method.
The cold pressing method of juicing uses a specialized hydraulic press that turns whole fruits and vegetables into juice without removing any of the nutrients. No heat is ever applied, which means the nutritional value of your juice remains intact throughout the whole process. That’s why it’s very important to juice cleanse with cold-pressed juices.
Additionally, cold pressing usually extracts a larger quantity of juice from the same amount of fruit and veggies than a hydraulic juicer.
Today’s Health-Focused Juice Cleanses
The history of juice cleanses has included so many different strategies, including changes and innovations in juice ingredients, meal timings, and length of the cleanse.
While some common cleanses in past decades have been more focused on a quick fix for weight loss than their health benefits, many of today’s most popular cleanses are geared toward boosting health above all.
Weight loss might be typical after a juice cleanse, but the best cleanses to try are those that are designed to make you feel your best on the inside through improved digestion, higher energy, and better moods.
Fresh cold-pressed juice is such a delicious way to get all of your essential nutrients in and give your body a much-needed rest from heavy or processed foods. Juice cleanses can even be an effective way to prevent or fight disease.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people gained a new awareness of their health goals and needs. Relying on the health-boosting power of juice can be an effective way to strengthen your immune system and give your body better tools to either prevent disease or make sickness shorter and milder. Our most popular Clean Juice Cleanses include:
- The Super Greens Cleanse
- The Beginner Cleanse
- The Energy Cleanse
- The Original Cleanse
- The Immunity Cleanse
- The Anti-Inflammatory Cleanse.
We have a lot of options to suit every person so make sure to read their descriptions in full to see what might be best for you.
Should You Try a Juice Cleanse?
Are you wondering if a juice cleanse is right for you? There are so many different types of juice cleanses out there that you’re sure to find one that suits your needs and preferences.
Whether you’re looking for more energy throughout the day, a stronger immune system, or an anti-inflammatory boost in your diet, you can find a juice cleanse that will support your goals.
At Clean Juice, we offer six distinct juice cleanses that are each designed with a different goal in mind. By browsing our various juice cleanses, you can learn more about the different types of juices we offer, what they can do for your health, and what cleansing plan is best for you.
We’ll also explain exactly what you can expect while on your juice cleanse, how to prepare for it, and what your next steps should be.
Ready to learn more? The ideal juice cleanse to boost your health and make you feel great is waiting for you at Clean Juice. Order now and get everything you need for your cleanse conveniently delivered to your home. Make sure to try our other delicious and nutritious offerings, including smoothies, bowls, sandwiches, and more!
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Disclaimer: The information presented here is for educational purposes only and is in no way intended as a substitute for medical counseling. Consult your doctor before using any health treatment, including natural remedies, and tell your doctor if you have a serious medical condition or are taking any medications.
If you’re unsure whether a juice cleanse is right for you, ask your doctor if any of your health details might make a cleanse unsafe for you.