What are the top 5 benefits of green juice?  When I decided to
highlight the top 5 benefits of green juice, it was a tough choice. How do you
cherry-pick between so many amazing benefits that range from skin to energy to
health and more? It was time to get ruthless.

So, now in no particular order of wonderfulness, I’m
going to outline the top 5 benefits of juicing that I’ve found in my life, and
hope it inspires you to add a little more green juicing in yours.

1.  More nutrients, more variety, less time

If
over 95% of the vitamins, minerals and enzymes we need are found in raw fruits
and vegetables, doesn’t it make sense to eat more fruit and vegetables? The
problem is that to get all those healthy vitamins and minerals, we’d have to
eat masses of fruit and vegetables, probably more than most of us could handle.

And
with soil depletion and pesticides and the ravages of modern agriculture, our
food is just not as nutritious as it once was. We need to eat more to fill our
quota of minerals and vitamins, and we have less time than ever to do so.
Juicing helps us cover all our nutritional bases without having to take a bunch
of vitamins as supplements because we simply don’t have time to make and source
optimal food.

When
you juice, concentrated vitamins, minerals and enzymes rapidly enter your
bloodstream, which are quickly absorbed by your body – providing instant energy
and giving your digestive system a much needed rest. When
juicing, you can easily meet your recommended daily intake of vegetables every
day…with just a glass or two of juice, made with minimal effort and cleaning.

2.  Improved digestion

Green juices are easy to digest. Because they’re already liquid, your body no longer needs to work hard
to break down the food in order to extract the nutrients. When you juice, all
the essential
nutrients in your fruits and vegetables become readily available for your body
to absorb and use.

For
those of us who have ever suffered indigestion after a heavy meal, or even
after a healthy serving of vegetables like cauliflower,
cabbage, broccoli, or leafy green veg such as kale, spinach, chard or parsley,
you’ll agree that some foods are easier to digest than others. The reason for
this, is that vegetable are high in both soluble and insoluble fiber. And large
amounts of insoluble fiber can be bad for your gut. Juicing helps avoid this
because you remove the fiber and cellulose, making it easier on your digestive system.

3.  Energy

Energy is definitely one of 5 benefits of green juice.  It takes a lot of energy to do
everything you need to do in life, and there’s never enough. Fruit is a good
source of energy, but because its high sugar content (which is quickly
metabolized), energy comes in short bursts.  Greens help you balance the sugar content
which keeps your energy stable for longer. Greens also help your body
mineralize, and ensure optimal pH levels, which also boosts your energy. 

As I explained above, juicing fruits and vegetables makes
them easily digestible, which means that the energy spent on digestion can be
used for other activities. Green juicing allows me to have longer lasting
energy, which means less sleep and more productivity!

4.  Health

There is a growing body of
research into the healing properties of juicing. Not only will juicing help
with weight loss, boost energy levels, strengthen bones and result in a glowing
complexion, it may lead to reduced chances of heath disease, cancer and stroke.

Fresh, green juices also reduce
inflammation in your body and according to Christine Lydon, MD, of Yale Medical
School “inflammatory processes lie at the root of virtually every chronic
disease process known to modern man – from obesity and diabetes to heart
disease and cancer.”

Green juices contain chlorophyll
(aka liquid sunshine) which increases red cell production and enhances your
cell’s ability to carry oxygen. Should you live in a country where sunshine is in scarce
supply, increasing greens in your diet could even help you obtain some of this
stored sunshine. If Anne Wigmore, pioneer of wheat grass juice and
raw, living foods, is to be believed: “consuming
chlorophyll is like receiving a healthy blood transfusion.”

Green
juices are high in magnesium and helps your body absorb calcium better. Green
plants contain Vitamin C and A, which are also important for calcium absorption.
Greens are naturally alkalizing, which helps regulate the
pH balance in your body fight the damage caused by free radicals. A high
alkaline diet supports cellular regeneration, improves mental sharpness and
helps reduce disease – making you feel healthier than ever before.

5.  Beauty

Yep, this is number one for most, because who doesn’t want to look
their best? In fact, all the benefits we’ve mentioned so far lead to beauty,
because when your body is well-nourished and well-hydrated, packed full of
vitamins, minerals and enzymes, it performs at its best. And you will quickly
show the benefits.  

Green veggie juices can be the change that helps prevent aging
and give you an increased zest for life – because you’re eating a wider variety
of vegetables in larger quantities, which in turn will leave you better
hydrated, more nourished, and feeling on top of the world.

A recent study by St Andrews University revealed the beneficial effects
of fruit and vegetables in our daily diets; volunteers who increased their
consumption of fresh produce found an improvement in their skin tone which ‘glowed.’
And it’s not just the appearance of our skin that juicing can improve; the high
vitamin, antioxidant and mineral content of green juices helps with everything
from hair loss and acne, to weight gain and aging.

It’s the added hydration and power-packed dose of nutrients that bring
about your luminous complexion.  Green juicing can also help you discover
any potential allergies, by cutting out refined and processed products in favor
of green juices you can pinpoint what’s causing any intolerances – such as
dairy or gluten.

With green juicing you get greater health, better digestion, more
time and energy, and you look slimmer, with better hair, skin and nails, and
increased mental focus. I’d say that’s worth a glass or two. Get the 5 benefits of green juice by starting out with one of our green juice recipes.

Juicing guide > Green juicing > Top 5 benefits of green juice

Have heartburn?  Juice this for a quick, easy remedy.

If you
think I’m crazy for suggesting lemon juice for heartburn or acid
reflux, you’re not alone.  When I had first heard of this I also thought
it sounded crazy.  But when you look to science, you’ll see it makes
perfect sense.

If you’ve ever felt a burning sensation in your chest or throat, trouble
swallowing, nausea after eating or an undignified urge to burp, or even pain
when lying down or bending, you probably already know you’re one of the
millions of people who suffer from heartburn.

Also known as acid reflux or, if sufferers experience symptoms more than
twice a week, as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), it can have a detrimental
effect on your health, and happiness.

So what helps cause heartburn?

Most heartburn sufferers will experience symptoms after a large, overly
rich meal. Food that is highly acidic or irritates the stomach, such spicy and
high-fat foods are cause of heartburn, as well as chocolate, tomatoes and
tomato products, alcohol, caffeine and fizzy drinks, according to
Livestrong.com. Nutritionist Kelly Snyder also ranks constipation or poor
elimination, and excess belly fat as contributing factors.

The problem is the solution

When talking about acidic foods, citrus fruit such as
lemons is sometimes mentioned as trigger for heartburn. So why do we suggest
juicing lemons as a solution for heartburn? This comes down to a common
misconception about lemons.

The fact that lemons are acidic (pH is below 7), is incontrovertible.
However, inside the body,
things change. When lemon juice has been fully metabolized and its minerals are
dissociated in the bloodstream, it has an alkalizing effect and therefore
raises the pH of body tissue (pH above 7 is alkaline).  Dr. Mee Lain Ling,
a registered doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, urges us to note the
difference. Although they taste sour, lemons are thus alkaline forming – which
means they actually help neutralize acidity in your stomach.

So if you suffer from heartburn, juice lemons as part of
your regular juicing routine – I love adding fresh lemon juice to my green
juices, or squeezing it into a carrot and apple juice for some extra zing. And
if you need an instant heartburn fix, try squeezing a dash of lemon into a
glass of water and seeing if it improves your symptoms.

Dr. Ling also suggests using lemon juice to see how acidic
your body currently is. If you drink lemon juice in hot or warm water and it
tastes very sour, your body is very acidic. If it tastes like lemonade to you
(without the sugar) your body is in a healthier, more alkaline state! Depending
on your ratio of lemon juice to water, your body’s level of acidity and how
often you take lemon water, eventually your lemon-water shouldn’t taste sour at
all! Do try this at home and let me know how sour/acidic you are feeling or if
life just keeps giving you lemonade.

Benefits of lemons

Apart from helping you with acidity, lemons have been used for centuries to treat various sicknesses,
for stain removal, and even to clean the house. They help keep your skin clear
and radiant, assist in weight loss and even repel mosquitos.

Lemons reduce
blood pressure, detoxify the blood and organs, and reduce mucus build up in the
body. They’ve even been used in Chinese medicine to help reduce abnormal fluid
discharge (sweating, incontinence, bed wetting). If that’s not enough, lemons
are good for dental health, they reduce sweet, pastry and gluten cravings, help
with allergies and digestive disorders, chronic fatigue and diseases caused by
an acidic environment, and boost overall immunity.

Lemon
provides vitamin C, A, pectin and fiber to the body, as well as minerals such
as like calcium, selenium and potassium. Lemon
juice is also a natural anti-inflammatory and helps muscles detoxify by
increasing glutathione levels (a powerful antioxidant) within the body. It also
helps cleanse the body of impurities that disrupt the functioning of kidneys
and intestinal organs, as these are directly or indirectly related to acid
reflux. So whether it’s in a juice or squeezed in a herbal tea or glass of
water, drink some lemon juice for heartburn every day for optimal health and let’s make
heartburn a thing of the past.

Lemon-Infused Heartburn Remedy Juice

This juice will not only help you to recover from heartburn but will help to alkalize the entire body.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lemon
• 1 apple
• 1 cucumber
• 1 tbsp aloe juice

DIRECTIONS

Cut the lemon in half.  Core and cut the apple.  Cut the cucumber into spears.  Juice the apple, lemons and cucumber together.  Add the aloe in and mix to combine.  Aloe helps soothe the stomach and calm heartburn as well.

Quick Lemon Water Recipe

If you don’t have time to juice, try squeezing one lemon in 1 glass of water.  Add aloe juice if you have it for an added benefit.  If you prefer some sweetness, add a drop or two of liquid stevia.

Juicing for Ailments > Lemon Juice for Heartburn

Try this pumpkin flavored post-workout smoothie made with simple whole food ingredients to refuel and repair. Pumpkin is a calming, warming fruit that adds fiber, nutrients, and an epic flavor. This smoothie tastes delicious and refreshing chilled with ice but is also amazing warm, for a more comforting drink after a heavy workout.

Kristine Keating is a plantbased nutrition educator and network contributor to HUMANFITPROJECT. 

INGREDIENTS:
Makes 1 serving

1/2 cup pumpkin purée
2 small carrots
1 apple
1/2 cup rolled oats
2 ripe bananas
3 medjool dates (or 5 deglet noor)
2 tbs hemp seed
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp molasses
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1.5 cup water
Handful of ice (optional)
1 scoop of vanilla or plain protein powder (optional)

DIRECTIONS:
Place all ingredients into a high-speed blender (vitamix or blendtec) and blend until creamy. Pour and serve.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
*not including optional protein powder

Calories: 841
Carbs: 183 g
Protein: 17 g
Fat: 11.5 g
Omega 3: 1.66 g
Fiber: 30 g

Calcium: 247 mg
Iron: 8.2 mg
Magnesium: 334 mg
Potassium: 2529 mg
Selenium: 21 mcg
Zinc: 4.1 mg

B1: 0.51 mg
B2: 0.46 mg
B3: 5.4 mg
B5: 2.9 mg
B6: 1.51 mg
Choline: 88 mg
Folate: 126 mcg
Vitamin C: 38 mg
Vitamin E: 3 mg
Vitamin K: 40 mcg

BCAA’s
Isoleucine: 0.62 g
Leucine: 1.14 g
Valine: 0.82 g

Source: cronometer.com

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This is the ultimate pink lemonade juice recipe.  It’s a bit more pink then traditional pink lemonade, but it tastes spot on.  Bonus: It’s detoxifying and liver cleansing.

When I was a little girl my family would often vacation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 

We’d take the old Ford down route 95, and after a 13 hour drive, we made it!

All we wanted to do was soak up the sun and go to some tasty restaurants.

One of my favorite places was a Southern
style log cabin that had, you guessed it, PINK lemonade!  I’d order it
every time, even though it was cooler to order the sweet tea.

I didn’t know what really made it pink, and I was a kid, so I didn’t care.  It was so good and so cool.  Anything pink is cool (of course).

Today, I now know that the pink lemonade I had was really just sugar-flavored water.

So, I won’t be having that anymore… but I do have this.

I’ve made a hot pink lemonade that’s to die for.  It’s healthy, contains NO white sugar and is absolute yum.

I have it all times of the year, not just in the summer…because, why not? 🙂

The juice ingredients and the benefits

This juice is rich in iron and pectin.   Beets, lemons and apples together create a highly nourishing and detoxifying cocktail for your entire body but particularly your liver.

APPLES  The peel and pulp are rich in anti-inflammatories, antioxidants and
fiber.  The nutrients present in apples may help to slow the signs of
aging and improve some bodily functions.  They may even help deter the
development of certain chronic health conditions.

LEMONS  Lemons have a tart, acidic flavor but an alkalizing effect once they arrive in the stomach. Like vitamin C, certain flavonoids in lemon (specifically hesperetin,
naringin and naringenin) have antioxidant properties,
helping to prevent cell damage from free radicals.  They can also act
as anti-inflammatories.  The potassium in lemon helps to regulate the
pulse and promotes the maintenance of normal blood pressure.

BEETS  Beet contain several vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients.
 Pyridoxine (vitamin B6), folate (vitamin B9), vitamin C, copper, iron,
magnesium, manganese, potassium, phosphorus and fiber are all present in
substantial amounts and contribute to overall health and well-being.
 Beets are also an excellent source of betalains, a group of
phytonutrient pigments that research indicates can provide support for
anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and detoxifying mechanisms. Recent research on cancerous human cells indicates that some of the
betalains in beets might inhibit their growth – specifically, tumor
cells taken from colon, stomach, nerve, lung, breast, prostate, and
testicular tissue.

Here’s the Hot Pink Lemonade recipe

This makes enough for 2 small glasses or juice or one large glass
(16 ounces).

INGREDIENTS

2 apples

2 lemons, peel on

1 red beet

METHOD

Core the apples and cut them into wedges.  Cut the lemons in quarters.  Cut the beet into quarters.

Juice the beet, apples and lemons together. Mix it together and serve
immediately.

Optional variations for the Hot Pink Lemonade

If you don’t like the sourness of lemons:  The essential oils in the lemon peels really pack a nutritional punch and helps your body to detox.  Some people find the lemon peels a little too sour to juice.  If this is you, no problem, just remove them before juicing.

If you want less sweet:  I don’t think this recipe is too sweet, but if you’re really watching your sugar intake, only use one apple and add 1 zucchini to the ingredient list.

If you like a thin, watery juice:  If you like a watery lemonade, add about 1/2 to 1 cup of water to stretch the recipe and make it weaker.

Enjoy!  Let me know what you think of it below.