Why Juice?
Fresh juice provides us with minerals, vitamins, essential fatty
acids, carbohydrates, proteins and much more. All of these factors are vital to
maintaining good health. You will find that when you make fresh juice a daily part of your
diet, you will have increased energy, a glowing complexion, strengthened immune system,
stronger bones and a reduced risk of disease. It is recommended that you drink at least 16
ounces of freshly squeezed juice each day.
Although eating fruits and vegetables in their natural state does
provide us with a substantial amount of vitamins and minerals, we only obtain the maximum
benefits from them when they are juiced. Much of their goodness is locked in the fiber
which is expelled from the body. When we juice the fruits and vegetables, their goodness
is released from the fiber and we are able to drink their highly concentrated nutrients
which are then able to enter our bloodstream very quickly. Fiber is essential to health,
so be sure to continue eating raw fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains in
conjunction with fresh juices to gain the maximum amount of nutritional value from what
you eat. Very few people eat enough raw fruits and vegetables. Juicing provides a quick
and easy way to increase your consumption of these foods, and is recommended in addition
to a high fiber diet.
There are many bottled juices available on the market today. One of
the problems with these is that many of their valuable nutrients are lost during the
bottling process. If you make your own juice and drink it fresh, you will have control
over the quality of the fruits and vegetables you are consuming, and in many cases you
will save money. Your local Farmer's Market is a great place to buy fresh, inexpensive and
often organic produce.
The USDA, National Cancer Institute, Surgeon General, and the
secretary of Health and Human Services all agree that Americans need to increase their
consumption of fresh produce to include 2 to 4 servings of vegetables every day. One of
the easiest ways to add them to your diet is to juice.
No matter what your age, it is never too late to start drinking your
fruits and vegetables. Juices can flush toxins from your body, are good for your weight,
heart, circulation and overall well being. Juices contain no saturated fats or added
sodium and can be helpful in lowering your cholesterol. (Always follow your pediatrician's
advice when introducing babies to juice.)
Remember: Apple seeds contain some cyanide, so be sure to remove the
seeds before juicing. Do not juice carrot greens or rhubarb greens because of their
toxicity. The skins of oranges and grapefruits also contain toxic substances, so it is not
wise to juice them (however, the white, pithy part just below the skin contains very
valuable bioflavonoids and vitamin C, so make sure you don't peel that away). The leaves
of celery are often bitter, so you may wish to remove them. The skins of fruits such as
kiwi and papaya should also be removed prior to juicing, however the skins from lemons and
limes may be left on. Be sure to wash them thoroughly to remove any waxes and pesticides.
All pits, such as plum pits and peach pits should be removed. Seeds from lemons, limes,
grapes and melons etc. may be put into your juicer.
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