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juice provides us with minerals, vitamins,
essential fatty acids, carbohydrates, proteins and much more.
All of these factors are vital to maintaining good health. You will
find that when you make fresh juice a daily part of your diet, you
will have increased energy, a glowing complexion,
strengthened immune system, stronger bones and a reduced risk of
disease. It is recommended that you drink at least
half a litre of freshly squeezed juice each day.
Although eating fruits and vegetables in their natural state does
provide us with a substantial amount of vitamins and minerals, we
only obtain the maximum benefits from them when they are juiced.
Much of their goodness is locked in the fibre, which is expelled
from the body.
 When
we juice the fruits and vegetables, their goodness
is released from the fibre and we are able to drink
their highly concentrated nutrients which are then able to enter
our bloodstream very quickly. Fibre, although containing no nutrients,
is essential to health, so be sure to continue eating raw fruits,
vegetables, legumes and whole grains in conjunction with fresh juices
to gain the maximum amount of nutritional value from what you eat.
Very few people eat enough raw fruits and vegetables. Juicing provides
a quick and easy way to increase your consumption of these foods,
and is recommended in addition to a high fibre diet.
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There
are many bottled juices available on the market
today. One of the problems with these is that many of their
valuable nutrients are lost during the bottling process.
If you make your own juice and drink it fresh, you will have control
over the quality of the fruits and vegetables you are consuming,
and in many cases you will save money. Your local Organic Market
is a great place to buy fresh, inexpensive produce.
No matter what your age, it is never too late to start drinking
your fruits and vegetables. Juices can flush toxins
from your body, are good for your weight, heart, circulation and
overall well being. Juices contain no saturated fats or added sodium
and can be helpful in lowering your cholesterol. (Always follow
your paediatrician’s advice when introducing babies to juice.)
Remember:
Do not juice rhubarb greens because of their toxicity.
The skins of oranges and grapefruits also contain toxic substances,
so it is not wise to juice them (however, the white, pithy part
just below the skin contains very valuable bioflavonoids and vitamin
C, so make sure you don't peel that away). The leaves of celery
are often bitter, so you may wish to remove them. The skins of fruits
such as kiwi and papaya should also be removed prior to juicing,
however the skins from lemons and limes may be left on. Be sure
to wash them thoroughly to remove any waxes and pesticides. All
pits, such as plum pits and peach pits should be removed. Seeds
from lemons, limes, grapes and melons etc. may be put into your
juicer.
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