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Other common
name(s): juice therapy
Scientific/medical
name(s): none
Description
Juicing involves extracting juices from fresh fruit and
uncooked vegetables as the main part of the diet.
Overview
There is no convincing scientific evidence that extracted
juices are healthier than whole foods.
How is it promoted for use?
Juicing is promoted to enhance the immune system and prevent
and treat a wide variety of conditions. The Internet abounds with
promises of "glowing good health" from juicing. According to
practitioners, "unnatural" foods cause imbalances in the body's cell
composition, imbalances that are corrected and rebalanced with the
juices' nutrients. This treatment method is frequently used to sustain
the body during long fasts or as part of the Gerson regimen (see Gerson Therapy).
Some other proponents suggest juicing as a way to add more
plant-derived nutrients to a person's usual diet.
What does it involve?
Juice extractors grind food into small pieces that are spun to
extract juice from the pulp.
What is the history behind it?
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.
What is the evidence?
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 results in
less fiber intake. Some proponents suggest eating the pulp from the
juiced vegetables and fruits, which helps to keep enough fiber in the
diet. Some vitamins that are present in the raw food are destroyed by
heat. 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.
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
Overuse of juicing or consuming too much of certain juices can
cause severe diarrhea, sometimes claimed to be "cleansing" by
proponents who believe that "toxins" are removed from the body during
this process. The juices from fruits and starchy vegetables such as
carrots or beets can contain a lot of sugar, which may be harmful for
diabetics and can contribute to weight gain. 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. Relying on this type of treatment
alone and avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for cancer may
have serious health consequences.
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 found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Barrett S. Juicing. Accessed at:
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/juicing.html on June
10, 2008.
Doyle C, Kushi LH, Byers T, et al. The 2006 Nutrition,
Physical Activity and Cancer Survivorship Advisory Committee. American
Cancer Society. 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.
Kushi LH, Byers T, Doyle C, et al. American Cancer Society
2006 Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee.
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.
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.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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