Drink your Medicine
(Page 2 of 4)
May/June 2001
By Pat Crocker and Susan Eagles
The Benefits of Juicing
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Easy assimilation. In whole fruits and vegetables (or even in drinks that contain pulp), some enzymes, phytochemicals, and vitamins A, C, and E—along with minerals such as iron, copper, potassium, sodium, iodine, and magnesium—are trapped in the indigestible fiber and cannot be assimilated by the body. But once “liberated” from the cellulose in pulp, those nutrients can be taken into the cells of the body within fifteen minutes (as compared to the hour or more it takes for nutrients to be assimilated from drinks with the pulp intact). This saves the energy required for digestion and allows the body to rest while detoxifying or cleansing, before or after physical activity, or while recovering from an illness.
Water supply. Our cells consist mostly of water, which is essential to their proper function. That’s why we should consume at least eight glasses of water daily. Unlike coffee, soft drinks and alcohol, which require the body to use stored water to metabolize them, raw juice supplies the water needed to replenish lost fluid while also providing all of the necessary vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and phytochemicals. Also, juices promote the alkalinity of body fluids, which is vital for proper immune and metabolic function.
Cleansing action. Raw juice has a laxative effect (more evident in fruit juices), which helps to rid the body of toxins. Detoxifying the system and cleansing the digestive tract and colon help clear the mind and balance moods. Cleansing also causes the metabolism to become more efficient and, if a whole-food diet is followed, the body will revert to its natural weight.
The spark of life. The living “greenpower” that is present in all living plants is available to the body when raw fresh juices are consumed. This “life force” is a natural quality that is lost in processing and when fruits and vegetables are stored.
Antioxidants. Herbs, fruits, and vegetables are high in antioxidants, which counteract the free radicals that can cause cellular damage and susceptibility to cancers and other illnesses.
Natural sugars. The sugars in fruits and vegetables come bundled with the goodness of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and other phytochemicals that aren’t found in refined sugar. They deliver the same energy as pastries, candy, and soft drinks, but without the chemicals and fat.