The old adage "an apple a day ..." seems to have progressed into a juice a day. If you want to forego pricey store bought versions, invest in a juicer and follow this juicing guide-it's easier than you think.
Drinking a raw, freshly squeezed spun or pressed juice is an excellent way to reap the phytonutrients from several pounds of produce. Unlike smoothies, where whole fruits and veggies are puréed, juices do not contain fiber, so your body hardly requires any energy to digest them, and the nutrients are rapidly absorbed into your system.
Where to start?
New to juicing ? Know this: - Cucumbers pack a generous yield and alkali song punch without the potent taste of green. Start with less flavorful vegetables such as cucumber, celery and spinach. If you want to add more pungent vegetables such as kale, beets or even cabbage, you can counter their strong tastes with a little citrus fruit or apple- or mix in a couple of ounces of coconut water after juicing.
- Plan on 2 to 3 pounds of produce for one 16 ounce glass of juice. Cucumbers, celery, beets, fennel and carrots have higher water content than kale, cilantro or spinach. Make the base of the juice a high yield vegetable or apple , and then juice a few of the leafy greens and herbs to round the taste and nutritional profile.
- Freshly made juice is best, but if you can't drink it all at once or prefer to make a few at a time, transfer juice into an airtight container( mason or recycled glass jars work well) immediately after juicing.
Juices
Apples are a low-glycemic fruit that contains pectin which pulls impurities out of your system.
Beets cleanse the liver and are great sources of vitamin B6 ,calcium and iron as well as nitrate, which, when converted by the body to nitro oxide, dilates blood vessels to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles.
Broccoli is said to have a cancer fighting compound.
Carrots contain a significant amount of vitamin A from beta-carotene.
Celery contains a bevy of electrolytes including sodium, potassium,calcium and magnesium. Celery is high in vitamin A plus B1, B2, and B6 as well as iron and phosphorus. Consuming celery helps balance the body's pH levels.
Cilantro has been shown to remove toxic metals such as mercury, lead and Luminum from the nervous system and body tissues.
Coconut meat, oil,milk and water have significant nutritional values. The water is high in electrolytes while the meat is full of medium chain triglycerides, which the body can use immediately for energy. Consuming coconuts can improve insulin production Nd it has been shown to kill bacteria and viruses.
Cranberry contains compounds that help prevent bacterial attachment to the stomach and urinary tract. This berry contains many anti cancer phytonutrients as well as Vitamin C and manganese.
Cucumber provides a high yield of juice and is mild in flavor. It is extremely alkalizing and provides multitude of B vitamins.
Garlic contains all icon, which provides its aroma and flavor and has antioxidant properties. Consuming garlic will increase blood flow and relax blood vessels.
Grapefruit loaded with vitamin C and low in sugar ,is as nutritious as it is tangy.
Ginger is said to mitigate inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. It can help alleviate both morning sickness and motion sickness and there have been studies showing it protects against Alzheimer's disease.
Jalapeños contain a day's worth of vit C as we as healthy doses of vitamins K and A in one medium sized pepper. They also have a high concentration of potassium. The capsaicin or heat in these chilies will also raise your metabolic rate.
Kale a dark leafy green is a nutritional powerhouse. It is full of vitamins C,K and A and is a tremendous source of iron and calcium. It also packs a whopping dose of lutein,which helps with eye function. Lemons are extremely alkalizing to the body and contain a high dose of vitamin C, which protects the body against inflammation. Onion is the richest dietary source of quercitin, which has anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial properties.Orange is full of anti-inflammatory vitamins A and C.Parsley contains vitamins A and C, potassium and folic acid.Spinach is chock-full of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, zinc, manganese and selenium. It also contains an abundance of vitamin K, which helps maintain a healthy nervous system, and lutein, which helps fight macular degeneration.Turmeric The main component of turmeric is curcumin,which is one the most potent anti-inflammatory spices.
