Juicing Archives - Cilantro News

Is Lemon Water Good For Detox?

Pamela Nylander PhD — Fri, 26 May 2023 13:09:36 +0000

Is drinking a glass of lemon water in the morning good for detox?

You’ll find the science-based answer in this article.

What does lemon water contain?

Lemon water consists of the juice of lemons (Citrus limon) mixed with water.

Lemon juice, in turn, is rich in^1,2,3,4:

Citric acid (50g/L)
Vitamin C (53mg/L)
Hesperidin (370 mg/L)
Water-soluble pectins (307 mg/L)

Is lemon water good for detox?

We determined if the main components of lemon juice had detoxifying effects on your body, and here’s what we found:

1. Citric acid

Citric acid is a weak organic acid that occurs naturally in citrus fruits.

It is also an intermediate in the Krebs cycle, a series of chemical reactions that generate energy in your body.

Light and heavy metal detox

Citric acid is used in the industry as a chelating agent to remove heavy metals from commercially-available fruit juices, contaminated sewage, and soil^5,6,7.

It also induces the excretion of aluminum and is, therefore, an effective agent for preventing aluminum intoxication⁸.

Citric acid removes the following toxic metals^5,6,7,8:

Aluminum
Cadmium
Copper
Lead
Nickel

Bacterial and fungal toxins removal

Endotoxins are toxins produced by some bacteria.

A study has shown that citric acid detoxifies endotoxins from the brain and liver⁹.

Besides, aflatoxins are cancer-causing toxins produced by molds from the Aspergillus species.

Research has reported that citric acid removes aflatoxins from rice¹⁰.

Kidney stones dissolution

Kidney stones are crystals formed from calcium that accumulate in the kidneys.

They can cause severe pain in the kidneys.

Studies have reported that citric acid dissolves kidney stones^1,11.

Citric acid summary

Thanks to its high citric acid content, lemon water is good for detoxifying toxic metals, bacterial and fungal toxins, and dissolving kidney stones.

2. Vitamin C

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin in fruits and vegetables.

It is essential for the proper functioning of the human body and prevents scurvy.

Moreover, vitamin C has numerous health benefits. It reduces allergic reactions and boosts the immune system, helping to fight off infections¹².

Heavy metal detox

A study has shown that vitamin C accelerates the excretion of lead¹³.

It also detoxifies cadmium and mercury¹⁴.

Indeed, vitamin C is an antioxidant and enzymatic co-factor in the body’s heavy metal detoxification process¹⁴.

Radiation detox

Thanks to its antioxidant properties, vitamin C protects the body against radiation.

It scavenges reactive oxygen species produced after radiation exposure^15,16.

Also, it reduces DNA damage levels after abdominal contrast-enhanced CT examination¹⁷.

Moreover, vitamin C protects against cesium-induced chromosome damage and removes strontium from the body^18,19.

Pollutants detox

Researchers have shown that vitamin C lowers the levels of pollutants, such as pesticides, PCBs, and PBDEs, in the blood of healthy women²⁰.

It detoxifies the following pesticides^20,21,22,23:

Organochlorine pesticides
Deltamethrin
Endosulfan
Quinalphos

Alcohol and drug detox

A study has revealed that vitamin C protects against alcohol-induced toxicity in brain cells²⁴.

Furthermore, it reduces the withdrawal symptoms of heroin addicts²⁵.

Vitamin C summary

Owing to its high vitamin C content, lemon water is good for heavy metals, radiation, pollutants, alcohol, and drug detox.

3. Hesperidin

Hesperidin is a major flavonoid in lemons, sweet oranges, and other fruits and vegetables²⁶.

It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-atherosclerosis properties²⁶.

Heavy metal detox

Researchers have shown that by scavenging free radicals, hesperidin reduces the toxicity of the following heavy metals^27,28,29,30:

Arsenic
Cadmium
Chromium
Lead
Mercury
Nickel

Radiation detox

Thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, hesperidin has protective effects against ionizing radiation, including in the following tissues^31,32,33,34:

Lung tissue
Bone marrow
Skin

Chemicals detox

Studies have reported that hesperidin protects against the toxicity of chemicals such as^34,35,36:

Alcohol
Paraquat (a herbicide)
Acrylamide
Tetrachloride
Cyclophosphamide

Hesperidin summary

Given that lemon water contains a high amount of hesperidin, it is good for detoxifying heavy metals, radiation, and chemicals from your body.

4. Pectins

Pectins are water-soluble carbohydrate acids in the cell walls of numerous fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits.

Heavy metal detox

Pectins have the capacity to adsorb heavy metals, such as^37,38:

Cadmium
Cobalt
Copper
Cesium
Lead
Nickel

They also have cytoprotective and antioxidant effects against cadmium and mercury³⁹.

Radiation detox

A study has reported that dietary pectin protects intestinal stem cells from ionizing radiation, promoting their survival⁴⁰.

Also, orange and apple pectin protect against gamma ionizing radiation⁴¹.

Moreover, research revealed that apple pectin reduced radioactive cesium in Chernobyl children⁴².

Pollutant detox

Pectin is an antioxidant that absorbs free radicals⁴³.

Research has shown that pectin reduces the environmental pollutant p,p’-DDE from body tissues⁴⁴.

Pectin summary

Thanks to its high content of soluble pectins, lemon water is good for heavy metal, radiation, and pollutants detox.

Is lemon water good for liver detox?

Lemon water detoxifies heavy metals, pollutants, and radiation from different organs, including the liver.

As a result, lemon detox water boosts energy levels, helps weight loss, lowers blood pressure, and protects the digestive system.

Is lemon water acidic to the body?

Lemon juice is acidic with a pH of 3. However, once ingested, it becomes alkaline, with a pH above 7, and alkalizes your body.

Is the sugar in lemon water bad for health?

The sugar in fruits is not bad for health because it is mixed with fibers, including soluble pectins, which slow down its penetration into your body.

Thus, the intestinal cells consume most of the fructose they absorb, and very little reaches the liver, where it transforms into fat.

Does lemon water damage enamel?

Lemon water can have an erosive effect on your tooth enamel.

When drinking it regularly, it is best to use an eco-friendly straw.

How to make lemon water for detox (Recipe)

To make lemon water for detox, squeeze half a fresh lemon into 8 ounces of warm or cold water.

You can also add mint leaves, cucumber, or ginger juice.

Drink this delicious concoction in the morning on an empty stomach.

Summary: Is lemon water good for detox?

Drinking lemon water is good for detox thanks to its high content of citric acid, vitamin C, hesperidin, and pectin.

Owing to these components, lemon water cleanses heavy metals, pollutants, and radiation from your body.

A lemon water drink can also dissolve kidney stones and detoxify alcohol and drugs, and bacterial and fungal toxins.

As a result, drinking lemon water boosts your energy levels, protects your gastrointestinal tract, clears your skin, and helps you lose weight.

The post Is Lemon Water Good For Detox? appeared first on Cilantro News.

Dr. Oz’s Weight Loss Drink

Pamela Nylander PhD — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 07:45:01 +0000

In this article, you will find how to make Dr. Oz’s Swimsuit Slimdown Weight Loss Drink and what we think of it.

What is Dr. Oz’s Weight Loss Drink?

Dr. Oz’s Weight Loss Drink is a drink that, according to Dr. Oz, will help you slim down.

He claims this drink breaks down fat cells and flushes fat as you eat your food.

Recipe

Here is the recipe. Mix the following ingredients:

1 cup of grapefruit, orange juice, or pineapple juice (without added sugar)
1 teaspoon of honey
2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar

You can add slices of lemon and ice cubes to make it more refreshing.

And there you go, the refreshment is ready to be enjoyed!

When should I drink it?

Drink a glass of Dr. Oz’s Weight Loss Drink before every meal.

Do the ingredients make you slim down?

To know if Dr. Oz’s claims are correct, we have determined if each ingredient in his drink helps with weight loss.

Grapefruit juice

A study involving 91 obese individuals reported that drinking 8 ounces of grapefruit juice before every meal helped them lose 1.5 kg after 12 weeks¹.

Another study revealed that grapefruit was more effective than Sibutramine, an anti-obesity drug, in inducing weight loss².

Overall, these studies showed that grapefruit aids in slight weight loss.

Besides, although grapefruit juice has an acidic taste, it has an alkalizing effect on your body and can therefore be consumed in case of heartburn and GERD.

Moreover, grapefruit juice reduces blood glucose levels in non-diabetic and diabetic individuals^1,3.

Honey

In this drink, honey not only plays the role of sweetener to counterbalance the slightly bitter taste of the grapefruit.

It also prevents excessive weight gain and reduces blood sugar levels⁴.

Apple cider vinegar

A study involving 175 obese adults showed that an intake of vinegar reduced body weight and fat mass⁵.

Furthermore, the consumption of apple cider vinegar reduces cholesterol and blood glucose⁶.

Does Dr. Oz’s Weight Loss Drink really work?

We tried Dr. Oz’s slim down drink, to which we added lemon slices and ice cubes.

It’s one of the most delicious and refreshing drinks. Moreover, its consumption is not limited to the summer season.

We cannot say if it works to slim down as we did not drink it daily.

However, we can report that, in the past, we drank a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with water before each meal to treat heartburn.

With amazement, we noticed that it made us lose weight.

Side effects

Grapefruit juice

Thanks to its rich content of flavonoids, grapefruit juice is beneficial for health, including treating diabetes or cardiovascular disease⁷.

However, a cytochrome P450 enzyme found in grapefruit interacts with many drugs⁷.

For this reason, if one is on medication, replace grapefruit juice with orange or pineapple juice⁷.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can have an erosive effect on tooth enamel⁸.

When regularly consuming apple cider vinegar, it is best to use an eco-friendly straw.

Summary: Dr. Oz’s Weight Loss Drink

Dr. Oz’s Weight Loss Drink is a drink that Dr. Oz claims will help you slim down.

Its recipe consists of mixing the following ingredients:

1 cup of grapefruit, orange, or pineapple juice
1 teaspoon of honey
2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar

The post Dr. Oz’s Weight Loss Drink appeared first on Cilantro News.

3 Best Liver Cleanse Juice Recipes

Pamela Nylander PhD — Thu, 12 May 2022 06:00:19 +0000

You will find the 3 best liver cleanse juice recipes in this article.

What are the functions of the liver?

The liver has many vital functions, including¹

Metabolism
Immunity
Digestion
Detoxification
Vitamin and mineral storage

It metabolizes, namely, drugs and alcohol^1,2.

It also produces glutathione, an antioxidant that contributes to detoxification³.

However, when overexposed to toxins, the liver becomes sluggish and fatty.

It is where liver cleansing juices come into play.

3 Best liver cleanse juice recipes

In 1978, Dr. Norman Walker wrote a book⁴ entitled “Fresh Vegetable and Fruit Juices.”

Still today, juicing aficionados consider this book the juicing Bible.

According to Dr. Walker, the 3 best homemade juice recipes to cleanse your liver are:

Liver cleanse juice recipe n°1

10 oz / 30 cl Carrot juice
6 oz / 18 cl Spinach juice

Health benefits of carrot juice

Carrots are a functional food with significant health-promoting properties due to the variety of healthy compounds that they contain, including^5,6,7:

Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B8, B9, C, E, and K
Potassium, magnesium, iron, copper, and manganese
Carotenoids (α- and β-carotene, lycopene, and lutein)
Flavonoids (anthocyanins)
Saponins and tannins

Antioxidants such as carotenoids and flavonoids protect your body from oxidative stress by scavenging free radicals⁷.

Oxidative stress causes various disorders such as auto-immune diseases, aging, cataract, cardiovascular malfunction, rheumatism, and cancers⁷.

Carrots have anti-cancer effects

A study revealed that carrots have anti-cancer properties thanks to their high concentrations of β-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A^5,8.

Moreover, carrot intake enhances the immune system and improves vision^5,9.

It also protects you against stroke, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, cataract, arthritis, heart diseases, asthma, and urinary tract infection^5,9.

Does carrot juice cleanse the liver?

Dr. Norman Walker reported that carrot juice is the richest source of vitamin A that your body can rapidly assimilate⁴.

Furthermore, intestinal and liver diseases are sometimes due to a lack of certain elements found raw in carrot juice⁴.

When this is the case, a noticeable cleaning up of the liver occurs as carrot juice dissolves the material that was clogging it⁴.

Health benefits of spinach juice

Spinach is a good source of vitamin A, B, C, and K¹⁰.

It also contains minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and phosphorus¹⁰.

Furthermore, spinach is high in carotenoids (β-carotene and lutein), chlorophyll, and phenolic compounds that contribute to its antioxidant effect^10,11.

Spinach has anti-cancer activities

A study revealed that spinach, together with strawberries and blueberries, are foods with the highest oxygen radical absorbance capacity¹².

The antioxidants present in spinach have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-aging properties¹².

Furthermore, spinach has a beneficial effect on motor learning, memory, and eyesight¹².

Spinach juice relieves constipation

Spinach juice is high in oxalic acid^4,12.

According to Dr. Norman Walker, organic oxalic acid in raw spinach juice relieves constipation by stimulating peristalsis⁴.

He reported that the accumulation of waste matter is the primary cause of chronic diseases such as⁴

Ulcers
Thyroid deficiency
Arthritis and pain
Heart dysfunction
Eye troubles
Headache

By contrast, he advises against the consumption of cooked spinach because inorganic oxalic acid tends to cause calcium deficiency⁴.

Does spinach juice cleanse the liver?

Spinach, like other leafy green vegetables, is a good source of α-linolenic acid, a polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid¹³.

Studies have shown that α-linolenic acid has a protective effect on the liver and prevents fatty liver disease^14,15,16,17.

Combination of carrot and spinach juice

Dr. Norman Walker revealed that the second cause of chronic diseases (after waste matter accumulation) is the deficiency of the elements present in raw carrot and spinach juice⁴.

Therefore, combining both juices is particularly beneficial to your liver.

Liver cleanse juice recipe n°2

10 oz / 30 cl Carrot juice
3 oz / 9 cl Beet juice
3 oz / 9 cl Cucumber juice

Health benefits of raw beet juice

Beetroot contains appreciable amounts of nutrients that justify its use for treating various diseases¹⁸.

These nutrients include^18,19:

Vitamin A, C, E, K, B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6
Iron, magnesium, copper, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, manganese calcium, zinc
Phytochemicals and β-carotene

Beet juice oxygenates your body

Beet juice is best known for its high content of nitrate that converts to nitric oxide^20,21.

Nitric oxide, in turn, has a vasodilatory effect, which reduces blood pressure and increases oxygen and nutrition delivery to various organs^20,22.

Therefore, beet juice has become increasingly popular amongst athletes who aim to improve sports performances²⁰.

Nitric oxide also improves cardiovascular and cognitive function in adults²³.

Furthermore, beet juice lowers diabetes and promotes renal health¹⁹.

Beet juice relieves constipation

Just like raw spinach, raw beet also contains significant quantities of organic oxalic acid²¹.

As mentioned above, organic oxalic acid relieves constipation by stimulating peristalsis⁴.

However, inorganic oxalic acid from cooked vegetables can cause kidney stones and gallstones^4,21.

Beet juice has anti-cancer effects

Beet juice has powerful antioxidant properties owing to its content of ^21,24

Betalains
Betaine
Phenolic compounds

Betalains (red and yellow pigments) have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities^21,24,25.

Whereas, betaine protects the vascular system and also has anti-cancer effects^24,26.

It enhances antioxidant defenses via the methionine-homocysteine cycle and by forming a protective membrane around cells²⁷.

Does beet juice cleanse the liver?

Beet juice helps to cleanse your liver owing to its powerful antioxidant capacity.

It is noteworthy that beet juice may, in the beginning, cause dizziness or nausea⁴.

It is the result of a cleansing reaction on the liver⁴.

Although it may be uncomfortable, it disappears over time.

Health benefits of cucumber juice

Cucumber is a good source of minerals, including silica, sulfur, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, manganese, sodium, and zinc²⁸.

It is also rich in vitamin C²⁹.

Cucumber is high in antioxidants, such as the flavonoids kaempferol, quercetin, and apigenin, that reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, and pain^30,31,32.

Furthermore, cucumber has anti-diabetic and lipid-lowering activity^30,31.

Cucumber is probably the best natural diuretic, promoting the flow of urine⁴.

Does cucumber juice cleanse the liver?

Cucumber juice has a cleansing action on the body by removing accumulated pockets of old waste materials and chemical toxins³¹.

Its high content of minerals, including silica and sulfur, makes it beneficial to health^4,33.

Liver diseases are sometimes due to a lack of some of these elements⁴.

Combination of carrot, beet, and cucumber juice

Inorganic calcium deposits formed after eating starches and sugars can cause stones and gravel in the gallbladder and kidneys⁴.

The combination of raw carrot, beet, and cucumber juice provides a good amount of phosphorous, sulfur, silica, and other alkaline elements⁴.

Together with vitamin A, it is the best natural blood cell-builder⁴.

Moreover, it is the best cleansing and healing aid for the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, and prostate⁴.

Liver cleanse juice recipe n°3

9 oz / 27 cl Carrot juice
5 oz / 15 cl Celery juice
2 oz / 6 cl Parsley juice

Health benefits of celery juice

Celery has powerful antioxidant characteristics, thanks to its content of ^34,35

Phenolic acids, such as caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid
Flavonoids, such as apigenin, luteolin, and kaempferol
Vitamins A and C
Minerals, such as manganese
Essential oils, such as limonene
Tannins and saponins

These compounds reduce oxidative damage and prevent inflammation³⁴.

Celery reduces glucose, blood lipids, and blood pressure, which can strengthen the heart^34,35.

It can also prevent cardiovascular diseases, urinary tract obstruction, gout, and rheumatic disorders³⁵.

Moreover, celery has antifungal properties. Its essential oils have antibacterial effects³⁵.

Celery juice dissolves calcium

Celery juice is a good source of organic sodium⁴.

Dr. Norman Walker reported that organic sodium dissolves the buildup of inorganic calcium before being eliminated from your body⁴.

It also maintains the fluidity of the blood and lymph, preventing them from becoming too thick⁴.

Moreover, organic sodium is essential in removing carbon dioxide from your body⁴.

Does celery juice cleanse the liver?

Celery has been shown to prevent jaundice and liver diseases³⁵.

Furthermore, celery juice cleanses your liver thanks to its high amount of organic sodium⁴.

Health benefits of parsley juice

Parsley is a good source of ^36,37,38

Phenolic compounds
Flavonoids, particularly apigenin, apiin, and 6”-Acetylapiin
Carotenoids
Essential oils, such as myristicin and apiol
Coumarins
Vitamin A, C, and E

It has antioxidant activity and reduces stress-induced gastric injury by supporting the cellular antioxidant defense system³⁹.

Parsley also has the following health benefits^36,40:

Brain protective
Anti-diabetic
Laxative
Antibacterial and antifungal

Does parsley juice cleanse the liver?

Studies have revealed that parsley had a protective role on the liver^36,40.

It reduced degenerative changes in the liver tissue by lowering blood glucose⁴⁰.

Moreover, it decreased damages caused by heavy metals, such as cadmium^41,42.

Combination of carrot, celery, and parsley juice

The mix of carrot and celery juices provides a balance of organic minerals that help to restore liver normalcy⁴.

Furthermore, raw parsley juice has attributes essential to oxygen metabolism, maintaining blood vessels in a healthy condition⁴.

Liver cleanse juices side-effects

Liver cleanse juices can sometimes cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as dizziness, nausea, irritability, and insomnia, in the beginning.

However, these die-off symptoms known as a Herxheimer detox reaction disappear over time.

Therefore, it is best to drink liver cleanse juices one day out of three in the beginning. Then, with time, you may gradually increase the amount.

Here Is How To Get Rid Of A Herxheimer Detox Reaction.

Summary: 3 Best liver cleanse juice recipes

The liver has multiple essential functions in your body.

When overloaded with toxins, it becomes sluggish and fatty and can no longer perform its tasks properly.

In his book “Fresh Vegetable and Fruit Juices,” Dr. Norman Walker recommends 3 juices to cleanse the liver.

These juices help restore your liver’s vital functions and eliminate gallstones and gravel in your gallbladder.

The 3 best homemade liver cleanse juice recipes are the following:

Spinach and carrot juice
Beet, cucumber, and carrot juice
Celery, parsley, and carrot juice

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