As a young girl, my mother was my steadfast fruit and veggie keeper.
She’d often reprimand me and say that chances are that if it tastes bad then it’s probably healthy for you. And don’t tell me I’m the only one who hid greens in their serviette?
Carrot juice is a good source of beta-carotene, a type of vitamin A. Pexels
I’ll be honest though, I used to loathe eating vegetables as a child, especially bitter dark greens.
I would swallow them whole, if I could - and rinse it all down with a glass of cold-pressed apple juice.
Now, I love vegetables so much, I eat roasted cauliflower for fun, spend most of my grocery money on fresh produce, and occasionally sneak in a salad into the movie theatre. Lest we forget, it wasn’t always this way.
Now that I’m a self-aware adult, I have a greater appreciation for the significance of dark greens.
But even so, regular folks like me are still having trouble consuming the recommended 6 servings of fruits and vegetables, which my body needs daily to stay healthy.
I’m sure many are in the same boat. Experts recommend at least 6 to 8 servings a day. There’s a gap to fill, and if you’re in the same boat, juicing can assist in filling that void.
The natural, sweet taste & vibrant colour of strawberries makes them a favourite fruit for many. Picture from Pexels.
“With juice bars and health cafes springing up in cities around the world, it might be tempting to think that vegetable juicing is a new trend. But it’s really just the latest manifestation of a centuries-old health practice. And in this new age of genetically modified, over-refined, chemical-laden foods, the “rediscovery” of juicing has never been more appropriate”, says Fiona Stander, nutritionist and founder of the Juice Revolution.
“Webster’s dictionary defines the word Juice as a “current of electricity or charge of batteries”. This is an apt metaphor for the easily released energy contained within the juice of fruits and vegetables”, she continues.
Since you’re drinking rather than eating, you’re able to take in more vegetables thus absorbing more nutrients without stuffing yourself too much with a lot of fibre. Juicing assists with nutrient absorption and it allows you to consume a wide range of fruits and vegetables - which allows for the consumption of more nutrients.
Enjoy passion fruit juice benefits such as a boost in immunity & vision, better digestion, & more. Picture from Pexels.
Most of us are unaware, but a third of our immune system is located in our digestive tract, and countless research shows that the key to a healthy life is a healthy gut garden. Vegetables are one of the best sources of these prebiotics. Light green, dark green and yellow coloured vegetables are rich in carotene, Vitamin C and E and folate - that help fight cancer. Ginger also aids digestions, and all this simply states is that one of the ways of improving digestive health is adding the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables through juicing.
Stander asserts that: “raw juice, unlike coffee, soft drinks and alcohol (which take water from the body) supplies the water you need to replenish lost fluid while providing all the necessary vitamins, minerals, enzymes and phytochemicals.” My research shows that a good juicing ratio to follow is 80% vegetables and 20% fruit, to minimize fructose levels.
Green fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamin C. Pexels
Juicing isn’t a gimmick but a beneficial practice that will help you improve your health when done right. It can lower high cholesterol, detox your system, improve athletic performance and even clear your skin. Drinking juice before a meal is a great way to suppress appetite so you’ll eat less. When you eat less, it helps prevent weight gain. And drinking a cup of green juice is way healthier than drinking a can of Coca-Cola.
Juice Revolution recently launched an extended Juice and Soup Cleanse range aimed at the winter months of June, July and August. They offer a 3-day, 5-day and 7- day cleanse, visit www.Juicerevolution.co.za to have a look.