Juicing involves extracting juice from fresh fruits and vegetables. Consuming vitamin-rich juice provides plenty of health benefits and can be part of an effective weight loss plan. Carrots, beets, apples and celery are all healthy produce loaded with essential vitamins and minerals. Consult your physician before beginning a new diet.
Benefits of Juicing
Though it is unclear whether juicing is any healthier than eating whole fruits and vegetables, juicing is still a healthy option for consuming needed nutrients. Juicing fruits and vegetables concentrates most of the vitamins and minerals in liquid form, however Mayo Clinic nutritionist Jennifer K. Nelson points out that most of the fiber is lost. Proponents of juicing state the nutrients are better absorbed by your body when in liquid form as your digestive system is able to rest. No scientific evidence validates these claims.
Carrot Juice
Carrots have low calories, low sodium and no fat or cholesterol. The juice of carrots is very high in vitamin A, important for eye and skin health. A single serving of carrots added to your juice provides 110 percent of your daily allowance of vitamin A. Carrot juice is also a good source of vitamin C. Vitamin C along with vitamin A may help to improve the immune system and prevent cancer.
Beet Juice
Deep red or purple beets are low in calories and contain no fat or cholesterol. Beet juice is high in folate and nitrate. Researchers at Wake Forest University found that drinking beet juice may increase blood flow to the brains in older adults. The 2010 study published in “Nitric Oxide: Biology and Chemistry” could be significant for the treatment in dementia. High nitrate food turns into nitrites in your body and expand blood vessels, increasing blood flow.
Apple Juice
Apples are low in calories and high in fiber. There are different types of apples, some sweet and some more sour than others. The juice of apples is high in vitamin C, beta-carotene and B vitamins. Apple juice may also help in dementia according to research published in 2006 in the “Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.” Researchers from the University of Massachusetts Lowell discovered that apple juice consumption increases production of an essential neurotransmitter, acetylcholine in animal studies. Increased acetylcholine is known to impact memory.
Celery Juice
Celery juice is very low in calories and has no fat, although it is high in vitamin C and vitamin A. Celery juice is also high in dietary fiber and a good source of folic acid, potassium, vitamin B-1 and vitamin B-6. Although celery juice contains a higher level of sodium than other vegetables juices at 115 milligrams per serving, the sodium is generally offset by the high levels of potassium. Celery juice has a phytochemical compound known as coumarins. Coumarins may help treat cancer, prevent migraines and lower blood pressure.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Juicing: What are the Health Benefits?; Jennifer K. Nelson; October 2010
- Fruits and Veggies More Matters: Carrots
- eMedTV; Benefits of Vitamin A; Kristi Monson; October 2008
- Fruits and Veggies More Matters: Beets
- “Nitric Oxide: Biology and Chemistry”; Acute Effect of a High Nitrate Diet on Brain Perfusion in Older Adults; T.D. Presley, et al.; January 2011
- Nutrition and You: Apples Fruit Nutrition Facts
- “Journal of Alzheimer's Disease”; Apple Juice Concentrate Maintains Acetylcholine Levels Following Dietary Compromise; A. Chan, et al.; August 2006
- Every Nutrient: Celery



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