Juicing and juice fasts have long been used by those on the fringe of health communities. Many juicing enthusiasts tout benefits, including more energy, mental clarity, weight loss, and reversal of illness and disease. There are many theories behind these benefits as well.

Cooking foods, even lightly, reduces nutrients. By juicing fresh fruits and vegetables, you can pack a days worth of nutrient needs into one glass, making it a lot easier to catch up on any nutrient deficiencies in the body.

Another idea that juicing-proponents talk about is that digesting food takes up valuable energy in the body that may be needed for restoration and healing. Juicing for a period of days allows the body time to get back on track and to eliminate toxins.

Although many medical doctors do not agree with all the benefits that have been attached to juicing, adding fresh fruit and vegetable juice to your diet is definitely one of the easiest ways to ensure you get at least the daily recommended five servings. If you do choose to go on a juice fast, get your doctor’s approval first to ensure it will be safe for you.

If you do decide to start drinking fresh juice for better health, use these tips to get the best experience.

1. Buy a high-quality juicer. Juicers are a big investment, with many over $100. If you plan to make juice regularly, a well-built juicer is essential. Cheaper models will likely burn out very quickly, leaving you with a useless piece of equipment. You also should double check the juicer you are looking at to ensure it will juice both fruits and vegetables, including leafy greens.

2. Get a juicer that’s easy to clean. Many juicers are a horror to clean, requiring that you take apart a number of parts and then reassemble it. This will definitely impede on your juicing enthusiasm, so research the cleaning methods juicers before you purchase any.

3. Use certified organic produce. Although more pricey, if you have any concern for your health, organic food is the way to go. If you can’t afford to use organic food all the time, learn about which conventional fruits and vegetables contain the highest doses of pesticides.