Benefits Of Green Juice On An Empty Stomach
I recently shared on Instagram stories that my husband Gaby starts his day with a Detox Greens. He is so committed to this habit, he even keeps a back up stash in the freezer!
Gaby had minor digestive problems for years, and likes to keep his blood sugar levels stable, and this habit has helped him immensely. After getting a ton of DM’s about the topic, I took it as a sign to share more.
Here’s our top 4 benefits of drinking a green juice first thing in the morning.
You are what you eat, but even more so,
you are what you absorb!
ABSORPTION
Cold pressed juice is super easy to digest to begin with. With only trace amounts of fiber, it requires little work from the body to break it down. If you drink juice on an empty stomach there is nothing preventing it from digesting even more quickly and easily. Complex carbs, proteins and fats take a long time to digest. If you have breakfast and then drink your juice, the absorption will be slowed down by the other food in your stomach.
Far too often our bodies are lacking in specific vitamins, nutrients, minerals and enzymes and the problem is not that we aren’t ingesting them, it’s that we aren’t absorbing them!
2. EXTENDED FASTING PERIOD
The earlier you stop eating at night and the later you eat the next day, the longer your fasting period is. Since juice doesn’t require effort from the digestive system, having a green juice in the morning increases the amount of time that your digestive system is at rest. You’ll be feeling energized and nourished from the juice, even though you haven’t had any solid food.
Choosing a 100% veggie juice like Detox Greens will also mean you aren’t spiking your sugar levels, furthering the benefits of being in a fasted state.
3. GREAT FOR DIGESTIVE HEALTH
If you find eating breakfast causes digestive upset or have digestive problems overall, having a green juice is a great way to start the day. You are absorbing nutrients in the easiest fashion, being gentle on your gut and healing it at the same time!
Green juices contain digestive enzymes and prebiotics - both great for gut health! This habit ensures you are getting an abundance of phytonutrients and anti oxidants which help to reduce inflammation in your gut.
4. HELPS MANAGE BLOOD SUGAR + PH LEVELS
Vegetable juices, similar to non-starchy veggies, have a low glycemic index. Starting your day without spiking your blood sugar levels is valuable for a variety of healthy reasons & goals. It’s really important to note, that this only applies to a green juice with no fruit.
Seeing as your body is naturally more acidic in the morning, starting your day with a green veggie juice - which is very alkaline, helps balance your pH and keeps you energized and feeling good all morning long.
It’s interesting to note, that a Detox Greens on an empty stomach works incredibly well for Gaby, and that he stays satisfied until he is ready for an early lunch. Fasting until lunch has been an amazing habit for him! But for myself, although I love a green juice on an empty stomach for my digestive health, I need to follow it fairly soon after with a balanced breakfast. Having a healthy source of carbs and protein in my breakfast keeps my hormones balanced and energy levels consistent.
Enjoy!
XO, Andrea