Fresh fruit and vegetable juice contributes to the 5 to 9 servings that people should consume each day. Not only are many people lacking in produce consumption, but many people choose the same fruits and vegetables all the time, reports the University of Minnesota Extension Service. Adequate fruit and vegetable intake is important for getting nutrients and for preventing health issues like constipation, heart disease and depression. Juicing fruits and vegetables makes it simple to add some extra servings each day.
Oranges
Orange juice is a common juice found premade in supermarkets, but preparing your own is easy and allows you to drink it as fresh as possible. Most people are aware of the high vitamin C content in this citrus fruit, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that orange juice also contains calcium and potassium. Calcium contributes to bone health and potassium helps regulate blood pressure. Orange juice can also be blended with other fruits to create new and healthy tastes. Good additions include bananas, pineapple and berries.
Leafy Greens
Many people make juice from leafy green vegetables, such as lettuce, spinach and escarole, according to Mercola.com. This type of vegetable is a healthy addition to fresh juice you prepare at home. For example, romaine lettuce contains vitamins A and C, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vitamin A is important for eye health, while vitamin C helps your body fight off infections. Leafy green juice can be consumed plain or mixed with fruits to make it a bit more palatable. Apples and kiwis combined with juice from greens create a sweeter taste.
Grapes
Grape juice contains antioxidants that are necessary to help your body fight off free radical damage that can lead to cancer. Grapes come in a variety of colors, including red, green and black, and they are a good source of vitamin C, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This means that drinking grape juice helps your body heal after an illness or injury and supports muscle health. Grape juice is healthy on its own, but can be mixed with other fruits or vegetables to create new tastes that increase nutrient intake. Cranberries and peaches pair well with grapes, while adding grapes to vegetable blends helps reduce the bitterness that some of them produce when juiced.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes can be juiced on their own or combined with other vegetables to create a healthy and nutrient filled drink that contributes to vegetable serving intake. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tomatoes are a good source of both vitamin C and A. This means that regularly drinking tomato juice can shorten an illness like the common cold and contribute to healthy skin. Tomatoes can be combined with celery, carrots, beets, leafy greens and cucumbers to make refreshing juice blends that will keep you healthy.
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