JUICE FASTING AT AMCHARA
WHAT IS JUICE FASTING?
Juice fasting is the choice to abstain from food for a period of days and instead consume healthy, vegetable based
juices. Choosing to juice helps your body to pre-digest nutrients in the food, which increases absorption and gives
your digestion a rest.
Normally we recommend juicing with organic vegetables and the addition of lemon juice and root ginger or turmeric
can also enhance the flavour and provide additional health benefits. Sometimes a minimal amount of fruit is also
added to these juices from apples and pears. This is particularly useful for those new to juice fasting and adjusting to
the new flavours.
HOW DOES JUICE FASTING WORK?
Having the fibre removed by juicing vegetables means that the pure goodness of the juice is easily absorbed by the
body and all the beneficial nutrients are readily available to be utilised by the relevant cells
.
Your body is naturally trying to detoxify all the time via the main detoxification organs. Unwanted toxins are
eliminated via the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs and the lymphatic system.
Juice fasting reduces the stress on the body’s detoxification processes, allowing it to naturally reduce your overall
toxicity level. This process enhances the body’s repair and healing mechanisms, helping to restore optimal
functioning.
Scientific studies have shown that fasting for more than a number of days stimulates a healing process in the body
via a reduction in oxidative damage and inflammation, optimisation of energy metabolism, and bolstering of cellular
protection. When we fast, our cells change from ‘divide mode’ to ‘repair mode’.
THE BENEFITS OF
JUICE FASTING
KEY INGREDIENTS FOR JUICE FASTING
CUCUMBER
Highly hydrating and packed with nutritional value, cucumber flesh provides you with folic acid, vitamin C, K and A, and the skin is a good source of many important minerals including copper, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and phosphorus. It is also an excellent source of the trace mineral silica, which helps to maintain the strength of your skin, nails and hair. Cucumber can be used as a skin tonic to treat sunburn and reduce puffy eyes.
COURGETTE
Rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, fibre, potassium and antioxidant carotenes, courgettes contribute to protecting your cardiovascular health, lowering cholesterol and reducing high blood pressure. The antioxidant properties of courgettes help to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun.
KALE
A highly nutritious vegetable, kale is an excellent source of vitamin C, offering more than 70% of your recommended daily intake. It also contains a host of other important nutrients, including copper, iron and calcium, as well as vitamin E, B1 and B2. Its high levels of beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin are useful for protecting your eyes and skin.
SPINACH
Spinach contains twice as much iron as most other green vegetables. A highly alkalising vegetable, it is useful for maintaining a healthy body pH. Studies have identified at least 13 different flavonoid compounds in spinach known to have antioxidant and health-protective properties.
BROCCOLI
Renowned for its ability to boost your health because of its high levels of compounds called glucosinolates. One of these compounds, indole-3-carbinol, has been specifically identified for its benefits in potentially inhibiting the growth of both prostate and breast cancer cells. Broccoli increases your liver’s capacity for detoxification.
CELERY
An excellent source of vitamin C, as well as a good source of B vitamins, potassium and calcium. Celery also contains coumarins, plant chemicals thought to enhance the activity of white blood cells. Studies have shown coumarins can lower your blood pressure and tone the vascular system. Celery is also thought to lower cholesterol and improve your body’s ability to detoxify. Celery juice post-exercise is a perfect drink for replacing electrolytes.
BEETROOT
A valuable source of antioxidants and naturally occurring compounds that dilate your blood vessels, improving blood flow through the body, giving beetroot excellent blood pressure-lowering properties. It has also been found to support the body during exercise by balancing oxygen use and increasing stamina. The brain and heart also benefit from the increased blood flow and subsequent elevated oxygen supply.
CARROTS
Carrots contain beta-carotene, known to be beneficial for your eye health, providing protection against macular degeneration and cataracts, as well as improving night vision. They also contain plenty of vitamin K, C, B6, biotin, potassium and thiamine. The antioxidant properties of carrots help protect cardiovascular health and the development of chronic diseases.
LEMON
Lemons are packed with flavonoids and vitamin C, an important vitamin thought to reduce the duration and severity of colds. Lemons aid the production of collagen, required to maintain strong, healthy skin, hair and nails. They are also thought to support cardiovascular health.
GINGER
Ginger has been used as a natural remedy for centuries and is beneficial for numerous ailments. It can have positive effects on your cardiovascular health, including preventing atherosclerosis and lowering cholesterol levels. It has also been found to be effective against travel sickness and morning sickness.
APPLE
Apples are packed with fiber, vitamin C, and potassium, promoting heart health. Their antioxidants can potentially reduce the risk of chronic diseases. They can contribute to weight management, bone health, and improved gut health. They also serve as a hydrating, energy-boosting source due to their natural sugars
TURMERIC
Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory with numerous health boosting properties. Adding it to juices is a great way to benefit from its natural healing compounds. It is particularly helpful for reducing inflammation and so is of benefit in inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the compound curcumin found in turmeric can help protect your brain and have been found to be beneficial in those suffering with Alzheimer’s disease.
TYPES OF FASTING
JUICES WITH VEGETABLES
Fructose-free juicing will include freshly made organic vegetable juices with green vegetables such as cucumbers,
courgettes or spinach. Beetroot and carrots can be added, which contain some natural sugars, fructose. Breaking
down these sugars adds a minimal load to the liver, however, these vegetables contain high levels of beneficial
beta-carotene.
JUICES WITH FRUITS
Supplementing your vegetable juice with fruits, such as apples and pears, which are high in fructose,
can make your juices more palatable, with a sweeter taste. Often people starting on this move to pure vegetable
juicing after a few days.
LIGHT FASTING
A mixture of juices, smoothies and soups is another option we often recommend. It’s all liquid but includes fibre. Often this is
appropriate for clients who have fatigue, where we’re aiming to both detox and nourish at the same time.
INTERMITTENT FASTING
Having recently become increasingly popular, intermittent fasting means juicing or reducing calories for 2 days per week.
This is often a good option for people with particular medical conditions or if you are new to fasting.
WATER FASTING
Water fasting is when you only consume water. Water fasting has to be carried out carefully and is not suitable for everyone.
Our Personalised Health practitioners will assess whether this is suitable for you.
FASTING AFFECTS BIOCHEMICAL
CHANGES WITHIN THE BODY. SOME OF
THE MAJOR CHANGES THAT OCCUR ARE:
Reductions in IGF-1
IGF-1 has a growth promoting effect on your body. High levels
have been associated with cancer, arthritis, diabetes and
accelerated ageing.
Increase in ketone bodies
These are the chemicals that the body uses to break down fat for
energy in the absence of sugar.
Decrease in glucose
Too much glucose (sugar) increases your risk for heart disease,
fatty liver, metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes.
Enhance complete body health
Fasting can reduce oxidative damage and inflammation, as well
as optimising energy metabolism. Research suggests fasting can
also enhance cellular protection and extend longevity, in part by
reprogramming metabolic and stress resistance pathways.
DETOXING AT AMCHARA HEALTH RETREATS
Amchara health retreat programmes are designed to help you detoxify both physically and mentally. You are
immersed in a positive and supportive environment, increasing the opportunity for your body and mind to start the
change process, move toward a greater sense of wellbeing and heal.
We understand that is important to help you develop long term habits to underpin your health now and for the future.
Our mission is to help you achieve this.
TWO STUNNING RETREAT LOCATIONS
WHAT CLIENTS SAY ABOUT AMCHARA
JUST BOOK IT, YOU WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED
“What a wonderful place. The staff are the best, continually looking after you, offering advice and helping you to achieve your goals. The treatments are a real bonus, everything on offer is top quality and guaranteed to make you feel fantastic. Yoga in the morning and evening is the perfect way to start and end the day.”
Jackie, April
The best decision I ever made was to go to Amchara
The best decision I ever made was to go to Amchara for my birthday. The staff and fellow guests were so lovely. Great facilities, good selection of juices and vegan food. After the initial detox, I started to feel full of energy and my cravings had gone.
Rita, Amchara Gozo, February
IT WAS FANTASTIC – CALM, HEALTHY FOOD (DELICIOUS)..
Went to have a real break and get away from everything, it was fantastic – calm, healthy food (delicious) and wonderful walks and yoga. Very comfortable and I feel SO much better after only one week – thank you Amchara – really hope I will be able to come again.
Garbo, Amchara Gozo, January
