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Other common name(s):
juice therapy
Scientific/medical name(s):
none
Description/Overview
Juicing involves extracting juices from fresh fruit and
uncooked vegetables as the main part of the diet. Juice extractors are
used to grind food into small pieces that are spun to extract juice
from the pulp. It is promoted as a way to prevent and treat a wide
variety of conditions by enhancing the immune system. The Internet
abounds with promises of “glowing good health” from juicing. According
to practitioners, "unnatural" foods cause imbalances in the body's cell
composition, which are corrected and re-balanced with the nutrients
that the juice delivers. This treatment method is frequently used to
sustain the body during long fasts, or as part of the Gerson regimen
(see Gerson
Therapy).
Juicing first became popular in the early 1990s when
proponents claimed that it could reverse everything from the natural
aging process to chronic diseases such as cancer. Many juice proponents
suggest juicing as part of a healthy diet. Overuse of juicing, or too
much of certain juices, can cause severe diarrhea, which is sometimes
thought to be "cleansing" because "toxins" are supposedly removed from
the body during this process.
There is no convincing scientific evidence that extracted
juices are healthier than whole foods. Juice extractors remove the
fiber-containing pulp from the fruits and vegetables, which can result
in less fiber intake. Some proponents suggest eating the pulp from the
juiced vegetables and fruits, which keeps the fiber in the diet.
Some vitamins that are destroyed by heat are present in
larger amounts when the food is raw. And a diet high in vegetables and
fruits has been shown to reduce cancer risk and to improve overall
health. On the other hand, available scientific evidence does not
support claims that the enzymes from raw foods have special,
health-giving properties, since they are broken down during digestion
anyway.
The juices from fruits and starchy vegetables (such as
carrots or beets) can contain a lot of sugar, which may be harmful for
diabetics if the calories are not considered. Overall, however, juicing
is considered safe when it is used as part of a healthy diet.
Commercially juiced products should be pasteurized to kill harmful
germs, which can cause serious infections in some people whose immune
system has been weakened by cancer.
Additional Resources
More Information From Your
American Cancer Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be ordered
from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Barrett S. Juicing. Available at:
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/juicing.html. Accessed
June 14, 2007.
Kushi LH, Byers T, Doyle C, et al. American Cancer Society guidelines
on nutrition and physical activity for cancer prevention: reducing the
risk of cancer with healthy food choices and physical activity. CA: a
Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2006; 56:254-281.
Doyle C, Kushi LH, Byers T, et al. Nutrition and physical activity
during and after cancer treatment: an American Cancer Society guide for
informed choices. CA: a Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2006; 56:323-353.
Note: This information may not
cover all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or
interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be
relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is
familiar with your medical situation.
Revised: 07/12/2007
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