IBS: Can Juice Cleanses Help? – Ever heard of juice cleansing for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and wondered if it might be an effective form of natural treatment?
While there are no specific studies on just how well this dietary approach can help to alleviate symptoms, there is evidence that changes to your lifestyle and diet can help to improve intestinal and colon health.
What Is IBS?
Before looking further into whether juice cleanses can help with IBS, it is important to understand exactly what this condition is. The National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases describes irritable bowel syndrome as a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder that affects the large intestine.
The most common symptoms are abdominal pain, cramping, gas, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. However, not everyone who has IBS experiences all of these symptoms on a regular basis.
IBS can be very debilitating for those who are afflicted with it and there is no known cure for this condition at present. But, switching to a low-FODMAP diet that’s high in fiber and low in artificial foods and sugars, alongside a healthy exercise routine is a great way to improve symptoms. This is where juicing comes in.
Juice Cleanses
The cold-pressed juice cleanse market has recently sky-rocketed and is expected to grow by USD 237.77 million during 2020-2024. Essentially, juice cleansing involves consuming pureed or juiced fruits and vegetables.
It’s a fun and quicker way of ‘getting your greens’ and there are several different juice cleanse programs that will vary in terms of the length, from a three-day period, a five-day program or seven-day version.
Each cleanse is going to have certain goals that may involve removing toxins from the body to aid weight loss, or focusing on helping with various digestive conditions, like IBS.
So, are there any healthy advantages to juice cleanses for IBS sufferers?
Benefits of Juice Cleansing
Some of the key benefits of juice cleansing include increasing gut health, boosting your immunity, and helping your digestive system function more effectively thanks to the high dose of fiber, vitamins, and minerals found in vegetables and fruits.
If your stomach is processing things too quickly, you might experience uncomfortable cramping or bloating after eating certain foods whole. With juice cleanses, it does not need to exert extra energy to digest the fiber that has been consumed which can help to give your liver a rest and improve overall health.
Although no scientific studies are available to officially prove that juice cleanses for IBS work, one 2021 report stated that out of 1,334 respondents from the UK, USA, and Europe, 23% saw improvements in digestive health when juicing with simultaneous improvement in their emotions and mood.
What are the potential cons of juice cleansing?
While there are some people who claim that juice cleanses work wonders for their irritable bowel syndrome, there are also some precautions that come along with this type of detox.
There is a big difference between doing a short three-day cleanse and following one for several weeks or months at a time. If you only do the program on occasion, there might not be any side effects related to detoxification.
However, if you follow the five or seven-day plan on a regular basis, it can lead to problems such as electrolyte issues and even malnutrition, which is why it is best to start off slowly and transition back to healthy but solid foods after a three-day cleanse.
A juice cleanse is also not recommended for people who suffer from diabetes, anemia or other conditions that require specific dietary needs to improve their condition. Before starting one of these programs, talk with your doctor to make sure it will not interfere with any other health concerns.
Conclusion
Juice cleansing might help reduce IBS symptoms in some individuals. You should always talk with your doctor before starting any new diet regimen so they can assess if this juice cleanse option is beneficial for you and your irritable bowel syndrome condition.
Poppy Watt