Detoxification and juicing go hand in hand. When we abstain from solid food and deliver nutrients in the form of juices and/or blended foods, we free up digestive energy and allow the body to shift that energy towards the detox process.

The body needs ‘energy’ and ‘nutrients’ to keep up with it’s daily job of detoxification. For every ‘toxin’ molecule our body detoxifies, it also loses a ‘nutrient’ molecule in the process, which needs to be replenished. Juices and smoothies give a concentrated amount of nutrients and require the least amount of bodily energy. This is why the detoxification process speeds up during a juice fast. When you end your fast and reintroduce solid foods, choose whole foods, since they are easier to digest and more nutrient-dense. This will keep the body’s detoxification system working efficiently even after the ‘detox’ has ended.

Note: Preparation for a juice cleanse is suggested, especially if coming from a high fat diet, to ensure the proper absorption of the juices. When you take on a juice cleanse, you are essentially embarking on a high carb, low fat, low protein diet to speed up the detox process. Since high fat intake inhibits the proper absorption of carbohydrates, it’s best to set aside 2-3 days prior to your detox, where dietary fat intake is kept low. Juices do not go through the regular digestive process and therefore enter the bloodstream quickly. You want to make sure you are setting up a condition within the body where those sugars can easily be absorbed into the cells, so they will not continue to circulate within the bloodstream.

The Flaming Scarlet is a delicious juice to include in your detox program. It includes beets which are extremely high in a substance that the body converts into a gas called nitric oxide. This gas has an anti-platelet effect that prevents blood from thickening and helps the smooth muscles within blood vessels to relax.

The addition of cayenne delivers a dose of capsicum which helps to ‘move’ the blood. Blood flow is what takes nutrients to cells and moves out certain wastes materials. Capsicum can speed up the process of delivering nutrients to cells, which is extremely important in the detox process.

FLAMING SCARLET

8 carrots
1 small red beet
1/4 ” piece fresh cayenne pepper (or pinch of cayenne powder)

Process vegetables through a masticating juicer according to manufacturer’s instructions. If using cayenne powder, add to juice before serving, mix well.