It’s Juice Time – the Health Reasons for Juicing
“Eat your vegetables,” was something you probably heard mom say a lot as a kid, and she’s even got scientists and the FDA on her side. Not only that doctors and the FDA recently suggested that the old “5 a day” is not enough! Now I can scarf some serious healthy foods, yet I have difficulty getting 5 servings, let alone 7 plus. What can we do? I’ve got a solution mom would be proud of, I’ll drink my vegetables! Getting nutritious vegetables I need, even those I might choose not to eat, is simple with my juicer. I know lots of people don’t like broccoli which is incredibly healthy for you, so try juicing it with veggies you do like and you probably won’t notice the taste. Even those who aren’t much on eating fruits and vegetables will find they can make drinks in their juicer they’ll love and are packed with nutrients.
Juicing is increasing in popularity and juice bars are turning up in towns all over the country as more people find out all the benefits of juicing fresh fruits and vegetables. One reason may be the understanding that the closer food is to its original, raw form the better it is. As food undergoes extensive processing the levels of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes decreases. Juicing has the potential to correct the processed food caused nutrient deficiency most of us have in a hurry. Soil depletion is another problem we face, created by time, over-farming, and other issues, that contributes to our need to consume more produce. Juicing on a regular basis allows us to get the intake of fruits and vegetables we desperately need.
A juicer in a way is “pre-digesting” the food. Our bodies do need fiber for healthy digestion but it gets eliminated as waste. The process of juicing gets rid of most of the fiber leaving a nutrient dense drink that is easily assimilated by our system as the digestive process is minimized. As a result our body gets a quick natural energy boost. Why use artificial stimulants like energy drinks, caffeine, sugar or coffee when juice can provide the desired energy increase naturally.
The polluted environment and stressful lives we lead take their toll on our bodies paving the way for disease. Pure juice and juice fasts can have a positive effect in helping clean our burdened systems; green juices are particularly good. Phytochemicals and antioxidants aren’t just big words you can impress your friends with but are part of what makes fruits and vegetables important to us. Phytochemicals, are explained by Wikipedia as chemical compounds found in plants that are under research for potential health improving properties. Perhaps one of the best known is Lycopene, found in tomatoes, which is thought to lessen a man’s chances of getting prostate cancer. An antioxidant is a molecule with the ability to decrease or stop oxidation, which is a process where free radicals are created and begin reactions causing cell damage. The possibility of disease and more rapid aging increases the more cells die off. The pomegranate is an excellent source of many types of antioxidants.
While purchasing bottled or frozen juices may be the easy way to go, sadly they aren’t nearly as healthy. Some are watered down, most are pasteurized, many have added sugar and all experience deterioration sitting around on store shelves. To receive the most benefit from juice it is best to do it yourself or at least going to a quality juice bar.
The enjoyment of fresh juice is spreading, no longer confined to trendy locales, juice bars are popping up even at the local mall and the cost of owning a quality juicer has decreased to the point that almost everyone can afford one for their kitchen. A more energetic, vibrant life awaits you, so don’t just wish you had better health, do something about it, get into juicing!
Dave Webb
http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/its-juice-time-the-health-reasons-for-juicing-720857.html
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April 13th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Vegetable juicing?
I want to start drinking vegetable juice for health reasons, so does anyone have a really tasty vegetable juice recipe??? It’s ok if it contains some fruits in it, as long as it also contains some vegetables.
By the way this is my first time experimenting with vegetable juice, so that’s why I want something easy to drink because I’ll just quit if its too hard to stomach.
April 13th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
carrot, green apple, and a touch of ginger is good.
I also like carrot, cucumber, and celery. a little parsley added in gives a refreshing "green taste" and the ginger is still good here too but use it sparingly.
and for the ginger, put it in the juicer first and the other juices will pull the flavor out.
put your ingredients in with the strongest flavor/darkest color first to keep your juicer clean and get the flavors out.
for a smoothie:
I loved carrot juice with peaches, strawberries, and orange sherbet.
Also, carrot, banana, and honey was popular but a bit sweet for my taste.
wheat grass is awesome for you, but it is an acquired taste. never add it to a larger drink, just take it in a shot and follow up with some fresh squeezed OJ or other chaser. Make sure your teeth and mouth are clean or it can stick and stain the plaque.
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I worked at a juice stand and i’m a bit of a health nut.
April 13th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
These are my favorites. Even my kids love them!
Carrot-Apple Juice
4 organic carrots, cut into 3-inch chunks
2 organic apples, cored and sliced
Process in the juicer. Makes 1 serving.
Waldorf Salad Juice
4 organic apples, cored and sliced
2 stalks of celery
Process in the juicer. Makes 1 serving.
Cancer-Fighter Juice
2-3 carrots
1 apple
handful of parsley
handful of endive
small wedge of beet
Process in the juicer. Makes 1 serving.
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