The juicing movement has gained and retained momentum for several years now, and for good reason. Consuming raw juice from clean sources (organic vegetables & fruits) is one of the quickest ways to ingest a large amount of nutrients at once.
As a food group, fruits & vegetables are detoxifying in nature (some more than others). These plants contain potent detoxifiers that aid your body in flushing out the toxins you’re exposed to in day to day life. Keep in mind, so many toxins come from unexpected places, making regular detox a necessity for everyone.
Chemicals and toxins can be found in your skin and body care products, in the air you breathe, in the water you drink and in the food you eat. However, you don’t have to be a victim to all of them. Certain daily precautions can be taken to avoid many of them:
- Buy organic skin care products (including deodorant, shaving cream, toothpaste and facial moisturizer)
- Invest in organic food when you grocery shop. This will minimize your exposure to pesticides
- Use an effective water filter at home to lessen the impurities that enter your system
- Stay away from chemical-filled household cleaners and air fresheners. Pure castille soap, baking soda, white vinegar and essential oils can go a long way in replacing generic, toxic products
The Science Behind It
For example: beets are one of the most effective detoxifiers that you can readily find in your local market. Beets contain a substance called betaine, a compound that actively helps the liver flush out toxins.
Betaine also defends and protects the components of the liver to insure it’s not compromised by malnutrition. This is just one of many substances naturally occurring in vegetables & fruit that are made to help your body flourish.
Here are some other impressive substances that can be found in your produce:
- Raspberries: contain rheosmin, which increases cell metabolism
- Pineapple: contains bromelain, a substance that aids recovery and reduces bruising/inflammation
- Carrot: contains a unique fiber that helps detox bad estrogen
- Citus fruits (lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange): all contain substances called carotenoids, lycopene & flavonoids which are powerful cancer fighters
- Kale: contains two powerful antioxidants quercetin & kaempferol
Benefits of Juicing
These liquid meals also provide your digestive system the chance to take a break, as they are easy for your body to assimilate and absorb. Swapping out a few empty-calorie, heavy meals a day for one of these fresh juices will help you feel like a much better version of yourself.
Juicing boasts these incredible health benefits that make it well worth your while to start a juice habit:
- Helps you become lighter with a decreased body fat percentage
- Leaves you energized and ready to take on the day
- Promotes mental clarity and increased productivity
- Fights against malnutrition, dehydration and sluggishness
- Encourages regular digestion & bowel movements
- Helps your skin prevent blemishes and breakouts
- Promotes more high quality, restorative sleep
- Increased athletic performance
- Aids sexual health and vitality by boosting libido
- Alkalizes your body’s internal pH
- Fights against disease and illness
- Keeps your blood sugar stable (make sure to juice mostly vegetables)
- Helps prevent diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
- Promotes a healthy weight
Liver: Your Second Largest Organ
In regards to the anatomy of your body, it’s important to note that your liver is the second-largest organ in the body; second only to your skin. Its primary job is to purify your blood and detoxify your system.
With the help of a nourishing diet, the liver does its job well. You’ve just got to provide your body with the tools it needs to thrive.
The Effect of Sugar on Your Body
Its important to know that not all sugar impacts the body in the same way. Sugar that comes from fruit, fructose, does not cause your blood sugar to spike like refined table sugar does.
That said, it’s still important to note that sugar can be overdone. The human body does not require large amounts of sugar to work optimally. The contrary is actually true. Sugar is an indulgence and should be treated that way.
Fruit, along with containing fructose, also contains a plethora of healthy enzymes, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that will fuel your livelihood. Thus, fruit is not something to be eliminated or feared. Just pull in the reigns and make sure you don’t go overboard consuming mostly sugar in your diet.
Your body (and liver) will benefit most from a balanced diet that is complete with sources of fat, protein and carbohydrates at every meal. This balanced approach will also insure that your blood sugar doesn’t spike more than it should at each meal.
All things considered, these juices are fantastic additions to your health. Just know that to achieve your healthiest self, you should also reach for a good source of protein (nuts, seeds, beans) and fat (hemp, flax, chia seeds) to accompany your juice.
With infinite flavor possibilities, you’re sure to find a juicing combination that you enjoy drinking. Check out this range of juice recipes to liven up your liver!
1. Beet It
When you think of a classic vegetable juice blend, perhaps you imagine tomatoes, celery and cucumber. This take on that quintessential vegetable juice takes it up a notch & packs a cleansing punch.
Beet juice is better thought of as nature’s sports drink, as it boasts a large concentration of electrolytes and detoxifying substances. Be advised, a juice this heavy with beets will cause your urine to turn pink or a darker reddish color. This is completely normal is not something to worry about.
The mint in this drink not only amplifies the digestive benefits of the juice, but it takes off the earthy-tasty edge that the beets bring. Mint acts as a soothing and calming force to your digestive tract and can also help defend against nausea.
Hemp oil (like the flax, chia & coconut used in these other recipes) serves as a healthy source of fat and allows your body to better absorb the nutrition of the fruits & veggies in the juice.
Ingredients
- 2 medium beets
- 1 cored red apple
- 1 stalk celery
- 1 cucumber
- 1 handful of fresh mint
- 1 Tablespoon hemp oil
- ½ teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
Preparation
- Chop beets, celery & cucumber into small chunks
- Run all ingredients through your juicer
- Pour into a tall glass
- Serve on ice if preferred
- Add sea salt & stir in hemp oil
- Drink promptly
2. Zest up Your Life
Lemons are perhaps one of the most effective and inexpensive fruits for detoxifying the liver. Clarifying and cleansing, lemon just packs more than just a zesty citrus punch.
They are low in sugar and high in purifying substances. Creating a juice with a lemon base is a sure-shot way to cater to your liver’s health.
Adding turmeric into the mix gives this drink some anti-inflammatory gusto & added detox capability, while the raw honey adds some natural sweetness and takes a bit of the zing away from the lemon’s pungent flavor.
Chia seeds (like the flax, hemp & coconut used in these other recipes) serve as a healthy source of fat and allow your body to better absorb the nutrition of the lemon & turmeric in the juice.
Ingredients
- 3 peeled lemons
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 teaspoon of turmeric
- Pinch of pink Himalayan salt
- 1 Tablespoon of chia seeds
Preparation
- Put all 3 peeled lemons through the juicer
- Stir in honey, turmeric & sea salt
- Sprinkle chia seeds on top
- Serve on ice for a refreshing summer beverage
(Serve immediately)
3. Oh My Greens
Greens such as kale, spinach, chard and collards are amongst the most nutritious foods you will find in your local market’s produce section. They are, pound for pound, the most nutrient rife vegetables you can readily purchase.
Because of their density, they are jam packed with alkalizing and detoxifying substances that will take your health and the wellness of your liver up several notches.
Because greens do not produce a heavy amount of juice, they are best combined with hydrating, water-dense ingredients like cucumber and watermelon.
This drink tastes so refreshing and sweet that you’ll forget you’re pampering your health. It’s also kid-friendly (they will love the watermelon flavor) and can serve as a clever way for children to consume their daily amount of hearty greens.
Ingredients
- 2 large kale leaves
- 2 large chard leaves
- 2 large collard green leaves
- 1 handful of baby spinach
- 1 handful of diced watermelon
- 1/4 of a large cucumber
- 1 Tablespoon room-temperature coconut oil
Preparation
- Run kale, chard, collard greens, baby spinach, watermelon & cucumber through the juicer
- Pour into tall glass
- Add coconut oil
- Stir all ingredients together
- Drink immediately
4. Orange You Red
This motley crew of vegetables and fruit works well together because the ingredients balance each other out, flavor-wise. Radishes are a powerful addition to this juice, as they require more of your body’s energy to digest than they cost you to eat.
Oranges pack a powerful punch of vitamin C & help prevent kidney stones, while carrots contain detoxifying properties that allow your body to ease digestion and prevent constipation. This pairing also lightens up and sweetens the taste of the radishes and tomatoes.
The hemp oil, which has a balanced profile of omega 3-6-9s, helps your body assimilate and absorb the healing vitamins and minerals more readily and makes the drink more satisfying & filling.
Ingredients
- 2 large tomatoes
- 4 small radishes
- 2 large carrots
- 1 large orange
- 1 tablespoon hemp oil
Preparation
- Chop veggies as needed & run the tomatoes, radishes, carrots and orange through the juicer
- Pour into a glass
- Stir in hemp oil
- Pour over ice and serve chilled
5. Phyto Summer Punch
This tall glass of summer is sure to please even the most discerning, vegetable-resistant palate. The sweetness of the pineapple, mango and papaya lay down a delectable foundation for the nutrient-rife dose of kale.
Pineapple is more than just a sweet fruit, as it is rich with bromelain, an enzyme that helps minimize bruising in the body. It can also be an effective way to enhance fertility in men & women alike.
Mango provides the body with a large amount of tartaric acid, a substance that will help your internal pH stay alkaline & able to fight disease. This fruit has also been found to boost immune function.
More than just a spicy flavor kick, cayenne pepper is an excellent addition to any juice. Cayenne promotes blood circulation which enhances detoxification. It’s also been found to actively boost metabolic function in cells and expedite weight loss.
Chia seeds provide you with some fiber, healthy fats & plant-based protein.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of fresh pineapple
- 1 pitted mango
- 1 papaya
- 2 big handfuls of kale
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
Preparation
- Run pineapple, mango, papaya & kale through the juicer
- Pour into tall glass
- Stir in cayenne pepper
- Pour over ice
- Top with chia seeds
(Serve immediately)
6. Ginger Zing
Ginger is renowned for its ability to soothe digestion, relieve menstrual discomfort in women & increase blood flow throughout the body. This increased blood circulation naturally helps encourage liver detoxification and prevents constipation.
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is a phrase we’ve all heard before. But, why? Apples contain an impressive spread of vitamins & minerals and do not cause a significant blood sugar spike. They also pair up well with any vegetable, making them perfect for juicing.
The high water content of celery helps promote liver detoxification, while the carrot packs a mighty punch of cancer-fighting compounds. This drink also serves as a soothing digestive aid.
Turmeric works its way into this recipe because of its potent anti-inflammatory properties. Swap out your daily pain meds (for nuisances like headaches & minor pains) for all-natural turmeric. You may notice a difference!
Hemp oil (like the flax, chia & coconut used in these other recipes) serves as a healthy source of fat and allows your body to better absorb the nutrition of the fruits & veggies (especially the turmeric) in the juice.
Ingredients
- 2 large, cored green apples
- 2 medium pieces of ginger
- 2 large carrots
- 2 celery stalks
- Pinch of turmeric powder
- 1 tablespoon of hemp oil
Preparation
- Feed apple, ginger, carrot & celery through the juicer
- Pour juice into glass & stir in turmeric & hemp oil
- Serve over ice
(Serve immediately)
7. Sublime Lime
This drink is not only wildly detoxifying for your liver, but it is the ideal drink for post-workout replenishment. The beet, lime, cherry and mint flavors marry together in a beautiful way to provide your system with a boost of energy and vitality.
Pink himalayan sea salt is chock full of naturally occurring vitamins, mineral and electrolytes which have an alkalizing and detoxifying effect on the body.
Beets, as the aforementioned recipe alludes to as nature’s gatorade, provide a rich, earthy flavor and a robust phytonutrient content that prevents energy crashes. Beet juice by itself is a pungent flavor, made more palatable when you accompany it with these other naturally sweet ingredients.
Limes are similar to lemons in that they provide a zesty dose of detoxifying, alkalizing and tart goodness to any juice. They also liven up the flavor instantly.
Cherries make their way into this recipe because of how they are touted by endurance athletes for their ability to help minimize recovery time. Tart cherry juice is consumed by elite athletes post-performance to help reduce cramping, dehydration & swelling.
Flax oil will provide you with some healthy fats & will enhance your body’s absorption of the vitamins & minerals you’re taking in.
Ingredients
- 1 medium beet
- 3 large, peeled limes
- 1 handful pitted cherries
- Small handful fresh mint
- ½ teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
- 1 tablespoon flax seed oil
Preparation
- Put beet, limes, cherries & mint into the juicer
- Pour into a tall glass
- Stir in your sea salt & flax oil
- Serve over ice to make this drink its most refreshing
(Serve immediately)
8. Peachy Keen
Who doesn’t love biting into a fresh peach during the middle of the summer? That rich, juicey, sweet flavor is one that you should savor. All you have to do is add a few other liver-loving ingredients to make this drink a detoxifying powerhouse.
Raspberries naturally encourage weight loss through detoxification (known as raspberry ketones) and add a sweet kick.
Lemons are a detoxing champion. They are alkaline-forming in the body, serve as a potent liver-detoxifier and will even leave you with a clearer, more vibrant complexion.
Cucumber is one of a few vegetables with a high water content, making this juice extra-hydrating. Since water is the prime vehicle for detoxification in the body, this is very helpful for liver detox.
The mint in this juice brings some flavor to the party as well as some soothing benefits for your digestive tract.
Coconut oil (like the flax, chia & hemp used in these other recipes) serves as a healthy source of fat and allows your body to better absorb the nutrition of the fruits & veggies in the juice.
Ingredients
- 3 large, pitted peaches
- 1 handful of raspberries
- 1 peeled lemon
- 1 cucumber
- 1 handful of fresh mint
- 1 tablespoon room-temperature coconut oil
Preparation
- Run peaches, raspberries, lemon, cucumber and mint through juicer
- Pour into a tall glass
- Stir in coconut oil
- Enjoy!
(Serve immediately)
9. Berry Bliss
Berries are a fruit not to be overlooked or forgotten about because of their insanely high content of antioxidants. Antioxidants in your diet means more optimal functioning at the cellular level. Better functioning at the cellular level means more efficient detox. You get the idea, right? It’s all connected!
Keep in mind, you can use whichever berries you enjoy most (strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries). Using a variety of them will insure that you’re getting the widest range of nutrients possible.
Without greens, this drink would be a bit fruit-heavy. That’s where the kale & spinach come in. These two nutrient-dense leafy greens boast an endless list of health benefits, not the least of which is their ability to facilitate liver detox. They are both very low in carbs and high in cancer-fighting properties.
Flax oil (like the coconut, chia & hemp used in these other recipes) serves as a healthy source of fat and allows your body to better absorb the nutrition of the fruits & veggies in the juice.
Ingredients
- 5 large strawberries
- 1 handful of blackberries
- 1 handful of blueberries
- 1 handful of baby spinach
- 1 handful of baby kale
- 1 tablespoon flax seed oil
Preparation
- Run all berries & greens through the juicer
- Pour into glass & stir in flax seed oil
- Serve over ice if preferred.
(Serve immediately)
Where are the references for your claims? What kind of a website would put in claims without really linking to sources?