The raw juice craze has swept the world in recent years, and it’s not to be taken lightly. Packed with nutrients, juices have a huge range of benefits to counter a number of health woes.
When fruit and vegetables are juiced, the liquid within them is separated from the fibre. While you do lose the health benefits of this fibre, the juicing process creates a concentrated mix of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals which enable us to absorb them more easily. On top of that, it’s easy to add other nutritious ingredients to juice, such as matcha powder or flax seeds.
If something is bothering you, chances are there is a juice to fix the issue. From poor skin and fatigue to stress and lack of energy, there’s a tasty, fresh drink to get you feeling better in no time. Try one of these 8 power juices to keep you feeling fresh and healthy. Note that all juices can use water to liquefy.
Energising
Do you usually rely on a coffee to kickstart your day or wake you up when you’re feeling down? For an energy boost, try a green juice instead. The green pigment in plants increases the oxygen in the blood flow, which promotes brain function and energy. Add foods like kale, spinach, cucumber, green apples, celery and mint to your juice. A squeeze of lemon juice and slice of raw ginger will counter the earthy taste of the greens so it’s easy to swallow.
Weight Loss
Good news – drinking raw juices can help advance weight loss. The nutrients and antioxidants potent in raw juices speed up the metabolism and, subsequently, enhance calorie-burning. Foods with a high water content are great for weight loss as they have very few calories, so watermelon and cucumber are good options. Carrots are another vegetable to add to your juice, with low calories and high fibre. Other suitable fillers include banana, apple and kiwifruit.
Bad Skin
Is your skin dry or showing the effects of ageing? Raw juices can help to regulate your internal system by restoring alkalinity, thus promoting more radiant skin. Hydrating foods are the best cure for dry or aged skin, with cucumber leading the show. The tasty vegetable is 90% water and has a high content of magnesium, potassium and silica which is known to enhance the complexion. Add a whole cucumber with apple, parsley and banana to your juicer for a skin-promoting concoction.
Immune-Boosting
When it comes to boosting the immune system, broccoli is your best friend. This vibrant superfood is extremely rich in vitamin C, which helps fight infection. Coupled with 1-2 kiwifruits and 2 oranges, you’ll be overloaded with vitamin C (in a good way). If you can handle the taste, adding garlic to your juice will also work wonders – garlic is full of sulfur, which has antimicrobial elements that promote the immune system. Add a dash of lemon to minimise the flavour of the garlic and broccoli.
Hydrating
As mentioned above, cucumber is mostly made of water, so a necessary addition if hydration is what you’re seeking. Combine a whole cucumber with 1 full cup of coconut water, an orange and half a squeezed lemon for the ultimate hydrating juice. Coconut water may be an acquired taste (though you won’t notice it in the juice with the other ingredients), it’s worth drinking for the many benefits it carries. A high content of electrolytes help regulate blood and restore energy, while various nutrients including folate, magnesium, calcium and potassium will have you feeling ready for the day ahead.
Anti-Ageing
Antioxidants and vitamin C should be your go-to when looking to prevent or reduce the effects of ageing. Berries in particular are rich in antioxidants that promote anti-ageing, so load your juicer up with strawberries and blueberries. Add a few kale leaves, half a sliced beetroot and a cup of coconut water for a delicious, healing juice.
Digestion
Stomach issues can be eased with papaya and ginger. Papaya contains folate, vitamin A and copper – among other things. Its papain content increases the digestion of protein, which, coupled with ginger’s ability to alleviate nausea, minimise gas and calm the intestinal tract, is a winning combination. Add lemon and cinnamon for flavouring.