Research tells us that juicing can boost your immune system, remove toxins from the body, aid digestion and help you to lose weight.
Home-made juices are a great way to take in those valuable nutrients; they also cleanse the body and alkalise the blood. Get out your electric juicer, and find some lovely seasonal fresh vegetables and fruit.
Here are two health boosters for you to try – from Allan Hirsch’s cookbook.
Carrot, apple and ginger juice
1kg carrots, washed, ends trimmed
40g fresh ginger root, washed
3 apples, washed, stalks removed
Ice cubes
On high speed, feed the carrots into an electric juicer.
On low speed, add the ginger.
On high speed, add the apples.
Stir the juice, add ice cubes, and serve chilled. Makes 4 glasses of juice.
Carrots are a superfood. They supply vitamin A carotenes, and the powerful antioxidants found in carrots help protect your body from cardiovascular disease, as well as from cancer. They are also great for helping your vision, thanks to the high levels of beta-carotene (which is converted to vitamin A within your body).
Pineapple and beetroot juice
1 pineapple, remove crown, peel, and cut along the length into quarters
3 raw beetroot, washed; trim off ends
400ml cold, filtered water
3ml sea salt
On high speed, feed the pineapple into the electric juicer.
Also on high speed, feed in the beetroot.
Finally, add the water and salt, remaining on high speed for 30 seconds.
Stir the juice and serve chilled. Serves 2 to 3.
Beetroot is a rich source of antioxidants and nutrients, including magnesium, sodium, potassium, vitamin C, and betaine (important for cardio-vascular health).
The combination of pineapple and beetroot makes for an extremely healthy and tasty, refreshing drink.