Beyonce, Megan Fox, Gwyneth Paltrow and Tracy Anderson all swear by juice cleanses. While the scientific evidence isn’t yet as concrete, Ayurveda has promoted fruit juice detox diets for centuries. Juice cleanses are supposed to be able to reset metabolism, boost a sluggish liver, and accelerate cellular regeneration. Cold-pressed juices took the world by storm in 2013 and 2014 when brands such as Blueprint cleanse, Imbibery Juices, Goodlife Eatery, Roots & Bulbs, became household names. The benefit of the cold-pressing method is that no enzymes are lost due to heat. However, cold pressed juices often contain little fiber. Fiber is a cardio- protective food group, regulates bowel movements, and helps lower LDL. Still, those who embarked upon a juice cleanse claimed they saw more radiant skin, clear eyes, lustrous locks, improved immunity and weight loss. Hearing about all this, I was naturally excited about giving it a shot. While I am wary of a 3-day cleanse, it might work for some people. After all, different things work for different body types. However, I must admit that I am worried about a prolonged increase in blood sugar.
Here are some basic guidelines to follow when doing a juice cleanse:
-Avoid alcohol, dairy, tobacco, sugar, caffeine, gluten and meat when you are on the cleanse.
-Drink 8-10 glasses of water to kickstart the cleansing process. If you are feeling low- grab a low caffeine tea like peppermint, chamomile or add a little sea salt to your drinks if you feel dehydrated.
-Take this time to curl up and read a book and let your body rest while you detox. You can also go for a leisurely walk in the evening to boost circulation.
-Slowly reintroduce fruits and vegetables into your diet post cleanse. Use olive oil on salads with balsamic vinegar for dressing. You can add the protein- meat or poultry into your diet Day 2 onwards.
Raw Pressery sent over a box all the way from Mumbai with juices for a single day cleanse. I opened up the box and saw gorgeous, vibrant juices and started my cleanse. The bottles have cute names, and are labeled so that you know when to drink them.
9 am- Trim
Kale, spinach, doodhi, amla, celery, green apple, ginger and lemon
I woke up and drank ‘trim’ – a delicious blend of greens, just enough fruit and the zing from ginger and lemon. I love my green juices so I was pretty thrilled
11 30 am – Love
Pomegranate, watermelon, chia seeds and mint
This was my favourite by far! I love the jelly-like consistency of the chia and having them in the juice meant I had texture and cholesterol lowering fiber. The combination of mint, watermelon and pomegranate were very refreshing and a great way to beat the heat.
11-30 am -Run
Pineapple, pear and chia seeds
I think two chia-seed based drinks were a bonus. However, I felt as if this juice was a little too sweet for my taste. Between the two chia seeds based one- ‘love’ was definitely a clear winner.
P.S- my stomach was growling and I had to cave in and eat some veggies before the next juice.
2pm- Flush
Apple, beet, carrot, ginger and lemon
This was a very familiar concoction because most smoothie and juice places serve the ABC (apple, beets, carrot) juice. I loved the acidity from the lemon and the slightly bitter aftertaste from the beetroot. The juice looked absolutely gorgeous and was extremely satisfying.
430pm- Shield
Tangerine, carrot and ginger
I have to admit that I was craving salt and feeling a little lightheaded so I decided to nosh on some lightly roasted almonds to tide me over until the evening. ‘Shield’ was a delicious juice. Not too sweet, and not too tart. *Ginger is a really good herb for ‘Vata’ types like me.
7pm- Glow
Cucumber, coconut water, pineapple, lemongrass, aloe vera and lemon
This juice has a few of my favourite things- coconut water, aloe vera and pineapples. Unfortunately, I found the lemongrass a little too overpowering. On the bright side, Coconut water is full of electrolytes that help hydrate the body and the aloe vera is great for cooling down the body and fighting inflammation.
930 pm- Lean
Spirulina, kiwi, kale, cucumber, green apple and mint
After ‘Love’, this juice came in a close second. I loved the combination of spirulina, kiwi and the mint was perfect for soothing my tummy. Spirulina is a powerhouse of antioxidants that help boost memory, immunity and improves eyesight and complexion. Unlike other fruits, kiwis and green apple are more sour than sweet and are full of vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants.
I ended my night with some walnuts and a cup of freshly brewed ‘organic india’ green tea with tulsi.
The verdict- these beautiful juices are delightful and packaged in reusable BPA-free bottles. I am not sure I could embark on a full day juice cleanse because I feel lightheaded without salt. However, I know that these delicious juices work wonders for others, so I encourage others to give them a shot. I must admit I did feel much lighter on my feet during the day, and more alert.
Don’t forget to munch on some lightly salted nuts if you feel light-headed.
Quick Notes-
Available in Food Hall, Modern Bazaar and Natures Basket
They also plan to start home delivery in Delhi soon so check the website for updates.
The deep and light cleanse consist of six juices : Rs 1500
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