Juicing is the process of extracting juice from plant tissues such as fruit or vegetables. Juicing eliminates the hard to digest fibre, nutrients are obtainable to the body in a great deal of larger quantities than if the piece of fruit or vegetable was eaten whole. For instance, since a lot of the nutrients are in the fibre, when you eat a raw carrot, you are only able to absorb about 3% of the beta-carotene.

 

 

 

JUICERS

Oxygen is a major component of health.  The heart pumps oxygen rich blood throughout the body and we rely on the oxygen rich blood to function as we do.  Some of the most toxic poisons in the body can only be “burnt up” and neutralised through oxidation. This is the job of oxygen-rich red blood cells that circulate from the lungs and into the deeper organs and glands of the body.

Oxygen displaces deadly free radicals, neutralizes environmental toxins, and destroys anaerobic (depleted of oxygen) bacteria, parasites, microbes and viruses. Oxygen greatly enhances the body’s absorption of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, proteins, and other important nutrients. Oxygen enhances brain-power and memory. Oxygen can beneficially affect your learning ability. The ability to think, feel and act is all, dependent on oxygen. It also calms the mind and stabilizes the nervous system. Oxygen heightens concentration and alertness.

This makes choosing the right juicer very important.  Masticating Juicers such as the Norwalk Juicer, Champion, Omega Vert and the GreenStar Juicers; chop or press the vegetables and separate the juice keeping as much of the oxygen and nutrients in tact.

 

 

Most inexpensive juicers are centrifugal juicers that spin the juice out, destroying the oxygen molecules.  It may not make much difference to some, but it would make the world of difference to a cancer patient or someone serious about preventing illness and maintaining optimum health.

MIXING FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

It is important NOT to mix fruit and vegetable juices. The principle behind food combining is that different food classes require different enzymes, different rates of digestion, and different digestive pH levels for proper digestion. If the foods of the different food classes are combined incorrectly, the specific requirements for their proper digestion tend to cancel each other.

 

 

When you learn about food combining, you will realise that certain foods work well together and other foods do not. Vegetables require different enzymes for digestion than fruits. When you combine the two, you create bad digestion. Since the whole purpose of juicing is to improve your nutritional intake, mixing fruits and vegetables together is not a good idea because you sabotage your digestion which in turn hampers your ability to absorb the nutrition.

 

FRUIT JUICES

Fruit juices tend to be very sweet and delicious but should not be taken too regularly as they can upset blood sugar levels.  Fruit juices also detoxify faster than vegetables and can cause cleansing reactions such skin break-outs, diarrhoea, or headaches.

CARROTS        

I always recommend clients start with Carrot Juice…

Carrot is rich in alkaline elements which purify and revitalise the blood. They nourish the entire system and help in the maintenance of acid-alkaline balance in the body.  It helps to purify and feed nutrients to your cells and many people who are sick with cancer and other terminal illnesses juice a good amount for its potent healing properties.

Carrot juice contains a good strong amount of vitamin A, C, calcium among other necessary vitamins. Specifically they are rich in beta-carotene, folic acid, C, small amounts of B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, biotin and E. They have calcium, chlorine, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, sulphur, small amounts of copper, iron and zinc.

Good for healthy skin, eyes and for good bone density. It helps to purify and feed nutrients to your cells.

 

SPINACH     

Spinach juice is very healthful, but you only need a few ounces a week and need no more than about ¼ of your juice consisting of green juice.

Spinach is a natural laxative and although a it is nutritious it also rich in oxalic acid. Oxalic acid requires exercise for it to be metabolised. If you get too much oxalic acid, then your body will begin to actually loose nutrients.

It should be avoided for those with kidney stones, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and those whose stomach is easily irritated. Read my notes on oxalic acid for more information.

You should also avoid combining spinach with other vegetables that are high in calcium, such as broccoli. Oxalic acid combines with calcium to create an indigestible compound. You should also avoid eating calcium rich food immediately after eating or juicing spinach or any food high in oxalic acid. This includes foods like tofu.

 

BEETROOT        

Beetroot is probably one of the most powerful vegetables available. Beetroot is known for causing both stools and urine to turn red and if this happens, don’t be surprised.

Never drink beetroot juice by itself. It should be mixed with other vegetables  Pure beetroot juice (from the bulb or greens) can temporarily paralyse your vocal chords, make you break out in hives, increase your heart rate, cause chills or a fever.

Best consumed in small amounts. one to two ounces of beetroot juice (approximately ½ a small beetroot or ¼ a large beetroot.)

Both the roots and greens are powerful cleansers of the body. Beetroot is said to really cleanse the blood and kidneys and this is why it is suggested you use beets moderately.

Beetroot is high in oxalic acid and therefore should be avoided by those who suffer from or are at risk for kidney stones, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and those whose stomach is easily irritated. See notes from Spinach regarding Oxalic acid.

Since beetroot is high in oxalic acid, you should also avoid combining with other vegetables that are high in calcium, such as broccoli. Oxalic acid combines with calcium to create an indigestible compound. You should also avoid eating calcium rich food immediately after eating or juicing beets or any food high in oxalic acid. This includes foods like tofu.

There are plenty of fruits and vegetables out there, including sprouts that are so good for you and plenty of recipes for you to try out.  Have a go and let me know how you get on.

 

STORAGE

Drink your juice right away, or store it very carefully. Vegetable juice is HIGHLY perishable so it’s best to drink all of your juice immediately. However, if you’re careful, you can store it for up to 24 hours with only moderate nutritional decline. If you do have to make them in advance, add a squeeze of lemon juice to help prevent oxidation. Store in a flask in the fridge.