Get Juiced!

By Joy Feldman NC, JD

Cellular cleansing. That is one of the many benefits of juicing. By oxygenating and cleansing the body, you create and enhance the health and fitness of your body from the inside out.

With the hot days of summer before us, sometimes getting the most nutrient dense foods into our bodies is not an easy task. One way to ensure that you maximize your mineral intake, is to juice your veggies. Now, that does not mean you should push your veggies to the side of your plate.  Eating your veggies are important! But juicing has a role in your health as well. This extraction process provides your body with a boost of nutrients, enzymes, vitamins and minerals in a form that the body can easily utilize, absorb and digest.  Easily absorbed minerals such as calcium, potassium, and silicon are contained in this fresh juice. These minerals help the body restore the biochemical and mineral balance in the cells. In addition, juicing concentrates the nutrients by eliminating the fibrous part of the raw vegetables and other foods that are juice. Studies show that the nutrients from juiced vegetable are present in your bloodstream within thirty minutes of consumption.

My favorite veggies to juice are carrots. And there are many good reasons that Bugs Bunny always ate his carrots. History shows that the carrot has been recorded as medicine by the early Greeks, and has since been valued by many different cultures. Carrot juice, the king of vegetable juice, is often referred to as the “miracle juice” because of its many health benefits. Research finds it provides protective agents in the building and maintenance of health in both young and old. It has a delicious sweet flavor that makes it very appealing to everyone, either plain or combined with other green vegetables.

This orange vegetable has one of the highest amounts of beta-carotene, as well as a cohort of other carotenes. It not only contains vitamins B, C, D, E and K, but it also mineral –rich with calcium, copper, magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, sulfur and iron. These alkaline minerals help soothe and tone the intestinal wall, as well as build bones and teeth. This mineral rich juice also builds skin, hair and nails. Additionally, carrot juice has a tonic and cleansing effect on the liver, which helps to release bile and excess fats. The juice is also excellent because it provides a readily bio-available form of calcium. Give this sweet vegetable a try and before long, you too will be saying, ‘What’s up Doc?”

Here’s to your health!