Let the juices flow

May 26, 2014 06:24 pm | Updated 06:24 pm IST - chennai

Want to feel energised, get rid of acne, purify your blood or detox in a jiffy? Then simply drink up! Raise a toast to health with glasses of vegetable and fruit juices. Juice therapy, whether used to detox or lose weight hydrates the body and gets rid of accumulated biological wastes. Packed with nutrients and minerals, fruit and vegetable juices are easily digested, making them ideal for convalescents. Breaking a fast with juice is recommended to regulate biological processes. Generous amounts of easily absorbed organic minerals in fresh juices, especially calcium and potassium, help restore the biochemical and mineral balance in tissues and cells, thereby preventing premature ageing and disease.

Juices are best consumed fresh, without added sugar or sweetening agents. Try spices like ginger or pepper for taste and health benefits. Ginger is the commonest ingredient in most juices due to its multiple benefits — from offering relief from inflammation, morning sickness, menstrual cramps and indigestion to clearing a sore throat. Combine garlic cloves with vegetables like cucumber, parsley, carrot and celery. A dose of garlic keeps your blood pressure under check. If you feel the juice is too sweet, dilute it with water. Gently skin a bittergourd and juice it. Experts recommend drinking this on an empty stomach to promote weight loss. The juice of unpeeled cucumber and wheatgrass nourishes your hair and skin. However, some precautions need to be taken while preparing juices. All juices should be made fresh and immediately served. Canned or frozen juice should not be used. Only fresh, ripe fruits and vegetables should be used. Fresh juices oxidise rapidly and lose their medicinal value in storage, even under refrigeration.

Here are some easy-to-make juice recipes.

Mixed Vegetable Juice

Ingredients

Carrots: 4

Cucumber: 1

Beetroots: 4

A handful of chopped spinach leaves

Celery stalks with leaves: 4

Parsley stems with leaves: half cup, roughly chopped

Lemon juice: a tsp

Method: Juice all ingredients. Add lemon juice and mix well. Add some crushed ice in glasses and pour juice over it. Serve immediately.

Melon Magic

Ingredients

Watermelon slices (deseeded) and cut into pieces: 4 large

Green grapes: half cup

Ginger: half-inch piece

Apple: one-third cup, chopped

Crushed ice to serve

Method: Blend all ingredients using little water till smooth. Strain the juice using a strainer. Add some crushed ice in glasses. Pour the juice over it. Serve immediately.

Coco Delight

Ingredients

Tender coconut water: 2, small

Fresh tender coconut cream: 1 cup

Musk melon, cut into pieces: 2 slices

Crushed ice to serve

Method: Blend all ingredients till smooth. Add some crushed ice in glasses. Pour the juice over it. Serve immediately. You may use fruits like papaya, pineapple, litchi, mixed fruits instead of muskmelon.

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