How Much Weight Can You Lose With a Juice Cleanse?

A Nature study recorded a 1.7 kg (3.74 lbs) average loss per person over three days, but only 0.91 kg ( 2 lbs) of that weight loss was maintained two weeks later ( 12 ). However, the Mayo Clinic recommends you only lose 1-2 pounds weekly for sustainable weight loss ( 26 ). You need to create a 500-calorie deficit to lose weight weekly.

How Long Should You Do a Juice Cleanse to Lose Weight?

A small Nature study suggests a 3-day juice cleanse is enough to modify the composition of intestinal bacteria ( 12 ). Bacteroidetes and Cyanobacteria were increased in individuals the day after their fast. Having more of these two types of bacteria is thought to be associated with a healthy body weight. However, those changes were partially reversed two weeks later. Juice cleanses are not considered to be an effective long-term weight loss strategy.

How Often Should You Do a Juice Cleanse to Lose Weight?

Juice cleanses are not a viable weight loss strategy. In the Nature study, although participants lost some weight over the 3 day juice cleanse, they had partially regained it two weeks later. Fasts, cleanses, and restrictive diets typically do not result in sustainable weight loss.