Juice drinks have always been controversial.
There’s still an ongoing debate as to whether they are healthy or not. The opinions on them would always be divided, and there’s a sound reason why. Pro-juice believes that this drink is high in nutritional content, while antis claim that it is packed with sugar, additives, and other harmful ingredients for the body.
There have been significant changes in the way people make juices. Gone were the days when they used to be straight and simple. From raw, green juices to highly-processed ones, a long list of options is waiting for you.
But the reality is that juice drinks are not created equal. Some selections would rise above because of their value, while the rest can be a marketing ploy that could do you more harm than good, and in this case, knowledge is power!
In this article, Cognitive Health and Wellness Institute lists down healthy juice drinks that you can incorporate into your diet. Whether you are trying to eat clean or reducing your unhealthy calories, we hope this article helps you make better food and lifestyle choices for your body.
Best juice to drink in the morning
There’s no better way to start your day than drinking a morning juice that would detoxify and freshen your body. If you’re leaning towards making this change, you will not run out of options to incorporate into your diet. While moderation is always the key, knowing your options should allow you to make the most of these nutritious drinks.
Healthiest juice drinks
It would be best if you gave your body the nutrients it needs, giving you natural energy. More and more people lean towards juicing because it is the best way to cleanse the body and give your digestive system a break it badly requires from working.
(1) Celery juice
Celery juice has very few calories. It may be a little messy to put celery in the juicer, but it’s worth the taste and health benefits. The juice helps flush your liver which is beneficial in removing toxins from your body.
(2) Beet juice
Beets have a deep red color. This magnificent color makes the beet juice even more appetizing. Not only is this juice drink beautiful to look at, but it can also help detox the liver. Beetroot juice activates liver enzymes and helps increase bile.
Additionally, the betalains in beets can lower the risk of liver damage and inflammation. A good source of potassium, beet juice drinks can also help with muscle and nerve function.
(3) Lemon Ginger juice
Ginger and lemon are a good drink combination. Each on their own, lemon and ginger can fight inflammation. Combined, lemon ginger juice becomes a more potent anti-inflammatory drink.
Lemon ginger juice is an excellent choice to alleviate pain and can improve your immune system. You can drink it hot or cold, as a juice or tea, and maybe even with a teaspoon of honey.
(4) Watermelon juice
Watermelon is a refreshing fruit by itself. That said, making it into a juice drink will also be refreshing. You can have your daily dose of vitamins A and C with this juice. Stay hydrated with this juice and enjoy its health benefits!
Nutritionists also recommend drinking watermelon juice which is beneficial to your skin cells. But, like any other food, drink this juice only in moderation to avoid increasing your blood sugar.
(5) Orange carrot turmeric juice
Carrots on their own are high in Vitamin C and oranges are high in vitamin C. On the other hand, turmeric helps speed up wound healing. All these combined in one juice drink make it a potent anti-inflammatory drink.
Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is an aid in reducing the risk of cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases. Some people don’t like turmeric on its own due to its spice. Hence, incorporating it in a juice with orange and carrot makes it more delicious and flavorful.
(6) Organic tart cherry juice
Some supermarkets and online stores sell organic tart cherry juice drinks. This drink is popular with athletes and gym enthusiasts. It is mainly because of the juice drink’s benefits in muscle recovery, especially after high-intensity workouts.
Organic tart cherry juice has a high content of polyphenolic compounds. Experts believe these compounds lower levels of pain and reduce muscle damage. You can drink this juice after strenuous exercise for faster recovery.
(7) Pure cranberry juice
Another good choice for a healthy drink is cranberry juice. Pure cranberry is a good source of vitamin C, which is beneficial to improve your immune system.
Unsweetened cranberry juice helps avoid the buildup of bacteria that are harmful to the urinary tract. This juice drink essentially protects you against the risk of getting a UTI (urinary tract infection).
(8) Tomato juice
Tomatoes are botanically considered fruits, however, you can eat and prepare them like vegetables. Filled with lycopene, tomato juice can help protect you from damaged cells and promote immune health.
This juice drink is rich in nutrients such as potassium, and vitamins B, C, and E. It has low sugar content and can support the absorption of iron in your body. A word of caution, though, opt for low-sodium tomato juice because it can be very high in salt sometimes.
(9) Acai berry juice
Acai berries recently became popular due to their superfruit qualities. A juice drink made of acai berries is rich in antioxidants such as chlorogenic acid and flavonoids. They help lower health risks like mental decline and heart disease.
Acai berry juice can also significantly decrease feelings of pain. The fruit, which generally comes from the Amazon’s acai palm tree, is high in fat and low in sugar. A 100 grams of frozen fruit pulp usually contains 2 grams of fiber, 5 grams of fat, and calcium.
(10) Pomegranate juice
Elderlies often say if there’s only one glass of juice to drink in a day, it should be pomegranate juice. Why? This juice drink is fully loaded with nutrients and antioxidants that are good for you.
However, drink it also at a minimum because it has high calories and many natural sugars in it. It contains fiber, potassium, vitamin C and K, and carbohydrates, making it a good pick-me-up drink in the morning.
Are juice drinks for you?
Some people claim that juicing is a better option than consuming whole vegetables and fruits, for your body can absorb their nutritional content easily. They also say that this is better for the digestive system is resting.
There are also hearsays about how juice drinks help minimize your risk of cancer, lose weight, and boost your immune system.
The truth is – there is still no solid scientific evidence proving that juice drinks are more superior to whole fruits and vegetables. However, if you find eating these types of food a struggle, juicing may be a better alternative for you.
Vegetables and fruits are the best for your health. When you eat them in the right amount, they will allow your body to take in their essential nutrients and benefit from them. Combining this method with the whole form would do wonders for you!
Complement your whole fruit and vegetables with juice drinks and get that hydration for your body!
References:
https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-juice-wars
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/healthiest-juice
https://poosh.com/ranked-the-best-juices-to-drink-in-the-morning/
https://www.verywellfit.com/best-juices-5119446