The Dangers of Juicing for Weight Loss

More and more countries around the world are beginning to industrialize and develop, which is a good thing– at least, for the most part.  

The average person living in a modern country lives better than a monarch from the middle ages.   The human race has access to comforts never enjoyed by our ancient ancestors.  Cars.  Air conditioning in the summer.  Heat in the winter.  Nearly unlimited entertainment.

Unfortunately, our comfortable lifestyles are not always healthy.  The human race is getting wealthier, but on the other hand we are also getting fatter and lazier.  

The answer to the problem of obesity may indeed be juicing.  Juicing is great for nutrition.  Some obese people are actually malnourished, despite the fact that they are ingesting thousands of calories per day.  Also, juicing for weight loss can help cleanse the body of toxins and counter the effects of eating too much processed food.  When done properly, a juice diet can help stabilize an unhealthy lifestyle.  

But what happens when weight loss juicers take it too far?  Let’s take a look at a few health problems that extreme juicers may encounter.

Juicing for Weight Loss Danger #1: Juicerexia

In an article from the Daily Mail, psychotherapist Sara Shammas said that she has seen an increase in the amount of patients who are addicted to juicing.  People who already have body image issues are too easily led to believe that it’s okay to skip meals by health gurus who encourage people with real weight problems to go on all-juice diets.  Remember to always consult your doctor before going on any kind of diet, especially an extreme one involving fasting on juice.  If you’ve ever had a problem with anorexia, it may be wise to get a reality check from a professional first before you begin your juicing regimen.

Juicing for Weight Loss Danger #2:  Loss of muscle mass

Replacing meals with juice will help you lose weight, but neglecting to give your body protein may result in a loss of muscle mass.  According to nutritionist and registered dietitian Jennifer Barr, building muscle with regular exercise is one of the best ways to keep fat off for good.  Neglecting to take in an appropriate amount of protein may deliver good short term results in terms of shedding pounds, bu short-term juicers who neglect to adopt a comprehensive, healthy lifestyle will gain back even more weight once they come off their diets.

Juicing for Weight Loss Danger #3:  Diabetes

In the July 2008 issue of “Diabetes Care,” investigators discovered a nasty side-effect of too much juicing: diabetes.  The main culprit that caused an increase of the incidence of diabetes was fruit juice, but high-sugar vegetables like beets and carrots have also been known to cause blood sugar spikes.  Before beginning a juice diet, talk to your family and ask around about diabetes.  If it runs in your family, be extra careful about jucing sugary fruits and vegetables.

Juicing for Weight Loss Danger #4:  Stomach issues

The sorbitol contained in many fruits and vegetables has many health benefits.  It protects against tooth decay and helps your body process sugar.  On the other hand, sorbitol can also cause stomach cramps, gas and diarrhea.  If you have a sensitive stomach or any kind of stomach condition like GERD or IBS, check with your doctor first before starting a juice diet.