The freshness of the preparation and the way you drink it are also important—and, in some cases, might actually matter more than the time of day. “Drink it immediately after it’s prepared to avoid oxidation. Drink it in a glass slowly, tasting each sip, because saliva contains valuable enzymes that help you digest,” Quijano recommends. And, avoid ice: “A very cold drink is harder to digest as it slows down the stomach and intestines,” she says.

Can drinking green juice really help you detox?

From microplastics to agrochemicals, we are constantly hearing about the adverse influence of environmental toxins. Quijano says they are hard to avoid: “The toxins are found in processed and hyper-processed foods; in foods sprayed with pesticides; in medications; in drinking water that contains chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals, pesticide residues and other contaminants; in the plastic from which we drink water or many foods are packaged.”

Can juice cleanses help us detox from all of that? Unfortunately, probably not. According to the Mayo Clinic, there is “no strong scientific proof ” in support of juice cleanses for detoxification. “Juice cleanses don’t give you enough nutrition. They’re linked with other health risks, too. And any weight lost during a juice cleanse could be gained back once you start eating a typical diet again,” the clinic notes.

At the very least, taking a break from solid foods could encourage a dietary reset and encourage healthier coping mechanisms, especially for those who are prone to emotional eating or stress eating. And, juicing can help give the digestive system a break from digesting fibre, which might be helpful for people with certain medical issues—though, as fibre is essential for a healthy gut, getting adequate fibre shouldn’t be avoided by most people long-term.

With all that in mind, if you do want to try a juice cleanse, be sure to stick with the ingredient recommendations outlined above. “Focus more on green juices than juices with fruits,” says Becker. “Alongside that green juice, it is also wise to have herbal teas, broths, and sufficient water.”

Also, preparing properly is vital. Becker recommends doing what she calls a pre-fast: “To pre-fast, take two or three days to eat only vegetables and low-glycemic fruits—no animal proteins—and eliminate caffeine, processed foods and alcohol.”

Afterwards, don’t break your cleanse by eating a whole pizza immediately, either. Instead, follow the pre-fast protocol again. “Follow this as you come out of the juice cleanse to maximise the benefits of the cleanse and minimise any discomfort in the transition, and you will feel renewed,” Becker says, adding that if you have an existing medical condition, it’s best to consult an experienced practitioner first for maximum safety.

This article first appeared on Vogue.mx

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