Juicing 101: Benefits
Why is Juicing Healthy For Me?
Juicing is known to assist with losing weight, boosting energy levels, sleeping better, or strengthening the immune system and has also helped reduce the chances of heart disease, cancer and stroke - three of the leading causes of death. Unlike laboratory-produced supplements, which some studies suggest are ineffective in preventing chronic diseases, there are now large quantities of proven research showing the healing properties of juicing. Even the medical establishment acknowledges that we are just beginning to understand the seemingly inexplicable healing power of juicing. Drinking fresh organic juices are like drinking a natural vitamin filled with living enzymes, essential minerals, antioxidants, and natural antibiotics, all of which are essential for optimal health. It gives you almost all of the nutrition in the fruit or vegetable because it extracts all of the highly concentrated enzymes, vitamins and minerals in a form the body can rapidly absorb into the bloodstream. For example: In order for your body to receive the same amount of nutrients in a 16 oz. glass of carrot-apple-spinach juice, you would have to eat approximately 2 lbs. of carrots, 10-12 apples and 8 lbs. of spinach!
Drink it Fresh!
Did you realize that most ready-made bottled juices from the stores are pasteurized, killing enzymes, and reducing the vitamin and mineral content? (read my January 2014 article to lean more). In fact, as soon as freshly made juice comes into contact with air, it begins to oxidize, deteriorating its enzymes. So, get the most out of your fresh juice by drinking it within 10 to 20 minutes of being made. This will ensure the maximum amount of healing and revitalizing digestive enzymes are absorbed into your body. When you also consider that 95% of the all the enzymes, minerals and vitamins our bodies need are found in the juice of raw fruits and vegetables, it is obvious why juicing is considered to be so beneficial to our health. Alternatively, you can slow down the oxidization process slightly by storing your juice in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed, completely filled jar.
Drink it Organic!
Organic is better. Why? It's simple common sense: not only does it taste better, but when you juice you consume much more of the nutrients from the produce than you would if you were to have eaten it. This also means when you consume non-organic fruits and vegetables juices, you are digesting more pesticides, chemicals and GMOs than you would typically eat. By supporting organic farms and organic farming methods, you not only add to your health, but also improve the health of the planet by helping to restore soil quality and protect our dwindling water resources. Be on the lookout every month for a different featured recipe from my new juicing book coming out soon and let me know how juicing has helped you achieve a better Quality Of Life.
