Juicing Information

Congratulations on taking the step to live a healthier and happier life.  The fact that you are actively searching for information means you want to improve or change some of your current habits toward nutrition and diet.

Juicing is the extraction and consumption of nutritious juice from fresh fruits and vegetables. The juice of these fruits and vegetables provides the body with a high level of quality nutrition.

During the process of juicing, a juicer squeezes out all the healthy juice from fruits and vegetables and separates the fibre. Drinking the raw nutrients ensures that the body gets a proper supply of vitamins and minerals, which can be destroyed when cooked. Cooking alters and destroys the chemical composition of micro-nutrients.

Juicing is the easiest way to provide your body with its required nourishment.  All that you need is a good household juicer and fresh fruits or vegetables to turn out a healthy drink.

One of the main advantages of juicing is that it guarantees the daily intake of vegetables that we often tend to skip. Juice is easy to digest and rich in antioxidants and enzymes. Through juicing, the body is cleansed of toxins while it enhances the process of regeneration.
 
For those with diabetes, high cholesterol or weight problems it would be prudent to juice more vegetables than fruits until a change in sugar or cholesterol levels is achieved. Lemons or limes have less sugar content and can be used along with vegetables. They help remove the bitter taste of green leafy vegetables.

Why Juice?

Whether you are consuming juice from fruit or vegetables, juice is rich with many nutrients that are vital to our health.

Our bodies are continuously being renewed and revitalized. Every minute that passes sees the birth and death of billions of cells. This never-ending regeneration relies on adequate nutrition to support it. Without this our bodies cannot function, and overtime if mistreated will result in a gradual breakdown and deterioration.

Most nutritionists recommend a daily intake of 3 fruits and 5 vegetables, but how often do we really consume this much? With our daily commitments, lack of time and reliance on processed foods, many do not come close to this mark. If you can imagine yourself eating three bananas for breakfast, lettuce, celery and cabbage for lunch, and carrots and broccoli for dinner, then you may be fine as it is. However, if this seems unrealistic, then juicing can be a way to quickly and easily provide your body with a rich source of proteins, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals - all in one glass!

The benefit of juicing lies in its easily digestible liquid form. With our less than optimal food choices that we make over the years, our body and digestive system can become impaired and lack the ability to adequately absorb nutrients from whole foods. Juicing gives your body a break and allows it to take on board all the nutrients in a quick and efficient manner, for an instant boost to your health. 

“The advantages of increased energy, strengthened immunity, reduced risk of disease, strong bones, and the glowing complexion that is the evidence of great health can all be yours when fresh fruit and vegetable juices form a substantial part of your daily diet.'" ― Michael T. Murray N.D.

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” ― Hippocrates

Benefits of Juicing

People who embark on a juicing-for-health program often get excited because they lose weight so easily. But after the initial thrill of the pounds melting away without a lot of effort, they usually say weight loss became secondary to all the other great health benefits they experienced.

Quick Absorption of Nutrients

Quick absorption of the juice by the body eliminates the need for a lengthy digestive process. In addition, you tend to juice more fruits and vegetables as compared to eating. This results in a drink with the highest concentrate of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients essential for a healthy body.

Liver detoxification

One of the main functions of the liver is to cleanse the blood of impurities. Our lifestyle and often unhealthy habits of smoking and drinking alcohol in excess can take its toll on the liver. Therefore, it is important to detoxify the liver and keep it clean. Juicing helps in liver detoxification and should be a part of a detox program. Liver detoxification helps to improve the digestion process, maintain healthier eyesight, and retain a sharper memory. This makes people look younger and increases their strength, endurance and energy levels. The antioxidants derived from juicing fruits and vegetables boost the immune system, and aid the detoxification process. Vitamin C, E, and beta-carotene aid in liver cleansing. You can juice cabbage, cauliflower, and brussel sprouts, which are rich sources of these nutrients.

Cardiovascular benefits

Free radicals that are released due to toxins in the body can have an adverse effect on the walls of the arteries. Juice contains antioxidant vitamins C and E which help prevent the blood from clotting and sticking to the walls of arteries. These vitamins reduce the level of triglycerides, thereby keeping the heart healthier and stronger. Vegetables and fruits contain plenty of vitamin C, while vitamin E can be derived from juicing spinach, kiwi, and blackberries. They are also good sources of potassium and magnesium that are essential for the heart to function efficiently.

Slows the aging process

Antioxidants are known to have an impact on the aging process. Since juicing provides an adequate supply of antioxidants, it has the potential to prolong the aging process. 

Weight loss

With juicing you can avoid the intake of oily foods and other fatty substances, which is why it plays an important role in maintaining a healthy weight. 

Boosts the immune system and energy levels

Antioxidants boost the immune system and make you less prone to diseases. This goes a long way in ensuring a healthier life. The vitamins and minerals provide you with lots of energy, which is why you should enjoy juicing every day. 

Maintains healthy skin and hair

Vitamin C and E have a neutralising effect on free radicals that can damage the skin when exposed to the sun. Kale, spinach, blueberries, and asparagus are good sources of these vitamins that ought to be added to your juicer. Carrots on the other hand also contain vitamin A which helps maintain healthy eyes and reduce the risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

Juicing provides many health benefits but there are certain aspects that must not be overlooked in your quest to lead a healthier life.