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The purpose of juicing vegetables is to extract their considerable nutrients to get the maximum benefit from them. In this liquid form, these nutrients are more easily and thoroughly digested. And for the many people who have some type of problem related to their digestive tracts, juicing is especially beneficial.
Drinking vegetable juice offers up far greater nourishment than you could ever receive by eating your vegetables. This is not to say that juicing replaces eating those veggies. But the extra allotment of nutrition you'll be getting in that glass is a great bonus.
Vegetable juices can provide chlorophyll, vitamins A, B-complex, C, E and K, and minerals like iron, calcium and magnesium, as well as amino acids.
Chlorophyll is the phytochemical that makes green vegetables turn green. And the greener the plant, the more chlorophyll it contains.
Chlorophyll has a detoxifying effect, killing bacteria and hastening healing. It helps to regulate blood sugar. Chlorophyll soothes gastric ulcers and decreases pain from inflammation.
Asthma and sinus problems respond well to chlorophyll. The bowels function better and hemorrhoids heal.
Now, it's important to keep in mind, there are vegetables and there are vegetables. Some are better choices for juicing than others, from a health standpoint.
Chlorophyll content is one important factor to take into consideration, and so is natural sugar content.
Initially it's a good idea to stick with green vegetables like celery, cucumber and fennel. If you experience any queasiness, reduce the amount the next time and see how your body tolerates it. When you're used to those vegetables, it's time to think about adding a few more.
Think about broccoli, lettuce, parsley and spinach, for instance. If the juice tastes too strong, throwing in some green apples, some carrots, or lemons may be just the thing.
Having said that, the sugar content of carrots and beets is higher than most other vegetables and so these should ideally be used in moderation. Best to put your main emphasis on the greens.
If you were to drink a pint of your vegetable juice each day, 20 minutes before eating, or two hours after a meal, the nutrients in the juice will have its optimal effect. Juicing just before drinking is the best way because the longer the juice sits, the more it will lose its value. In a pinch, you could keep juice for up to 24 hours without losing too much of its goodness.
So juice those veggies, and drink -- often and regularly -- to your health.
Resources:
Vegetable Juicing Is Not Just for Detox
http://thedetoxspecialist.com/blog/detox/vegetable-juicing-is-not-just-for-detox
Juicing is the Key to Radiant Health
http://www.naturalnews.com/026466_juicing_vegetables_nutrition.html
Vegetable Juicing
http://www.juicing-for-health.com/vegetable-juicing.html
Visit Jody's website and blog at http://www.ncubator.ca and http://ncubator.ca/blogger
Add a Comment2 Comments
I agree - juices are an essential part of a healthy diet. They are easy to take in and are easy to make. Many diets these days focus on the food itself or how our appetites can change. Thinking about how we are satisfied can helpful as well. Michael Snyder, the author of Full: A Life Without Dieting, tells us that satisfaction is as much as important to our well-being than finding that secret way to curb an appetite.
January 20, 2011 - 3:00amThis Comment
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January 20, 2011 - 12:39amThis Comment