There is a myth in society about the supposedly undoubted benefits of the so-called juice detox.
We are talking about a period of time when a person eats only fruit or vegetable juices.
It is believed that such “nutrition” cleanses the body and ensures further healing.
Alas, but the reality is different. And scientists have proven it. At least, the results are likely to be different than you expect.
Experiment
Americans conducted a study that showed what happened to people who “fed” only juices for 3 days.
This time was enough for shifts in the composition of bacteria in the oral cavity and intestines.
Doctors associate such phenomena with inflammation and a decline in cognitive functions.
Why is it not beneficial, but harmful? Because during the production of juices, most of the insoluble fiber is removed, but there is a lot of sugar.
Therefore, juices are considered less healthy than whole fruits and vegetables.
A lack of fiber leads to changes in microflora and negatively affects metabolic processes, the immune system and the psyche.
Three power supply schemes
Scientists from the USA conducted an experiment involving healthy young people (average age – 23 years), who ate for three days according to one of the following schemes:
– drank only cold-pressed juices;
– consumed juices and solid foods;
– ate only plant products.
Before the start of the experiment, during the preparatory period, upon completion of the dietary interventions and 2 weeks after them, samples of feces, saliva and oral swabs were taken from the citizens.
To assess the composition of the microbiota, the researchers also analyzed the 16S rRNA gene (which is used to identify bacteria).
The experiment showed that the microbial composition of the oral cavity is most sensitive to changes in nutrition.
Juice diet
Those on the juice diet showed the greatest increase in the number of microorganisms from the proteobacteria group.
A large number of such bacteria in the body, according to doctors, is characteristic of inflammatory processes.
In addition, the results of the experiment showed a decrease in the number of beneficial firmicute bacteria.
Less pronounced tendencies of this kind were found in those who consumed juices together with other foods.
The scientists described the situation with the participants who ate plant products for 3 days as having more positive “shifts in the microbiota.”
Inflammation and cognitive decline
No such pronounced adjustments were recorded in the intestinal microflora.
However, those who drank only juices were found to have an abundance of certain bacteria.
Those associated with increased intestinal permeability, inflammation and cognitive decline.
According to scientists, such changes are caused by the high levels of sugar and other carbohydrates in juices.
Author: Pavel Gospodarik