Juicing enables your body to absorb the nutrients of a fruit or vegetable without breaking down its fibers, as the body does when you eat fruit or vegetables whole. Therefore, your body is able to consume larger quantities (than when you eat the fruit or vegetable whole).
Of course, many benefits are linked with consumption of juiced fruits and vegetables, too many to name. Some of these benefits include pain management, reduced risk of mental illness, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cancer.
According to the National Cancer Institute, a diet chock full of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables aids in cancer prevention or development, improves strength and stamina and prevents infections.
Juiced fruits and vegetables also contain antioxidants, enzymes and phytonutrients. Antioxidants protect the body from cell damage and improve strength and stamina. Enzymes aid in the removal of toxins in the body. Phytonutrients fight cancer and boost the immune system.
Within the past few years, juicing has increased in popularity. People from all walks of life enjoy juicing, such as fitness buffs, foodies and those with medical aliments.
Back in the day, juicing was performed by squeezing fruit to release the juices. As far as extracting juice from vegetables, maybe the Jolly Green Giant could squeeze a few drops out of a carrot, but most of us could not. Luckily, several types of electronic juicers currently exist (including masticating, centrifugal and triturating juicers), which do the work for us, so we can benefit from the fruits (or vegetables) of its labors by simply pressing a button.
So dig that juicer out of your closet, or better yet, buy an inexpensive juicer. Carrots, leafy greens, broccoli, cabbage and asparagus are some of the best juicing vegetables. They pair well with citrus fruit, apricots, mint and parsley, which are in peak season. This recipe includes several of these ingredients:
Sweet Spring Mix
1 cucumber
1 carrot
1 Granny Smith apple
¼ cup parsley
¼ cup mint leaves
1 stalk of celery
½ inch of fresh ginger, peeled
½ lemon, peeled
Using an electric juicer, blend all ingredients together. Stir the juice to mix the flavors.
Credit: Omega Juicers
Vroom, vroom! Instead of letting your sweet tooth get the best of you, try this recipe the next time you’re craving something sweet.
Red Racer
1 cup raspberries
1 cup strawberries
2 oranges
2 apples
Using an electric juicer, blend all ingredients together. Whisk to combine.
Credit: zestycook.com