#TovitaNoFilter: January is about beauty from the inside out

Since the new year is about new beginnings, we’ve decided to devote January to eating clean by focusing our diets on foods that are not only inherently waistline friendly, but that also help our skin look fresh and radiant. Factors like stress and eating unhealthy foods can lead to breakouts and even premature aging - AKA the last thing we want. This month we will provide weekly health tips for easy ways to eat clean and maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

In the last week of the month we will prove our success by posting photos with absolutely #nofilter and no make up! Not even bronzer. We’re confident that the foods and beverages we eat and drink will give us that natural glow that we normally rely on beauty products for. We hope you join us and show off  the ways in which you’re incorporating our Tovita tips with the hashtag #TovitaNoFilter. Don’t forget to show us your natural glow at the end of the month with #TovitaNoFilter. Here we go…

Week 1:

1. Hydrate. Make sure you’re drinking at least 64 oz of water (2 big water bottles). 

Try starting your day with warm water and fresh squeezed lemon. Lemons are a good source of vitamin C, which supports immune function and plays a major role in collagen production. Collagen is what helps keep our skin maintain elasticity, aka keeps us wrinkle free! Along with hydration, this combo wakes up the digestive tract to boost metabolism.

2. Get your greens! Aim for at least 3 servings of greens each day. Whether it’s the spinach in your omelet, the kale in your salad, or that side of Brussel’s sprouts, make room for these guys on your plate. Remember, 1 cup of raw veggies is equivalent to 1 serving.

Green veggies are also high in vitamin C, meaning they contribute to the collagen formation process. Beyond this, they are good sources of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that provides a natural defense against the sun's harmful rays. 

3. Do an activity that relaxes you 3 times this week. Whether it’s your favorite yoga class, an evening bubble bath, or mid-work meditation, make some time in your day for yourself!

Yes, we're telling you to be selfish because your body isn't the only thing that deserves first class treatment. Give your mind a break from the chaos of the day by doing something for you.  

Should We Be Chugging Charcoal?

The latest fad in the juice world seems to be elixirs made with activated charcoal, marketed as powerful detoxifying agents. This “black magic” is said to help detox, fight bloat, whiten teeth, aid in digestion, and maybe even cure hangovers.  Before jumping on the charcoal bandwagon, let's dig deeper.

Activated charcoal is derived from wood, peat, or coconut shells that are exposed to an oxidizing agent at high heat. This process creates a fine dust with microscopic pores on the surface which work as traps for compounds and particles. Activated charcoal can be used in the emergency room as an alternative to stomach pumping to treat oral poisoning. It works like a magnet by binding to drugs or toxins and removes them from the body.

Is activated charcoal as effective outside of the ER? Unfortunately, not so much. The charcoal doesn’t just go after the bad guys. It also binds to beneficial nutrients and antioxidants. This means that the other nutrients in the juice may not be absorbed very well. Further, if you're taking any medication you should note that the charcoal may reduce its effectiveness. 

A big attraction of activated charcoal is that it allegedly helps to cure hangovers by preventing the absorption of alcohol. As much as we are all looking for the miracle hangover fix (please, let us know if you think you have found it), for now water and sleep remain our best bets. Charcoal actually doesn’t bind well to alcohol and it would only work if the alcohol remained in the upper GI tract. Unless you want to start chasing your tequila with charcoal juice, this is not the best approach to avoid hangovers. 

On the other hand, activated charcoal may work nicely on your teeth. When swished around in your mouth it binds to tannins found in coffee and wine and removes the staining to leave a whiter smile. 

We're all looking for the magic potion to fight toxins, so here's the good news: our bodies are miracle workers on their own. With a clean, balanced diet and proper hydration, our bodies work around the clock to detoxify and cleanse our digestive systems. So for now, let's keep our juices green!