I have been interested in and studied nutrition for many years, but had never got into juicing. After all, there are only so many changes you can make at a time! It wasn’t until I got a Jack LaLanne Power Juicer as a gift about 5 years ago, that I started to juice. The timing was perfect. It was only a few weeks later that my wife Veronica had two of her wisdom teeth out. These wisdom teeth were deeply embedded and had grown horizontally (not vertically!). The result was two weeks of liquid food only and serious pain killers. This was my crash course in juicing.

I have since learned, practiced and experimented a lot with juicing. Used different types of juice extractors, some are better for making green juice recipes than others, you can read more about this at best juicer for greens. As I learned more about juicing and nutrition, I came to understand that green juice is the healthiest of juice. “Going green” can apply to juicing too. So then, what is green juice?


What is green juice?

The answer to this is a simple one! Green juice is any juice that is made mostly with or completely with green vegetables to produce a juice that is – well – green in color! Some of the most used green vegetables for making green juice are:

• Kale
• Spinach
• Collard greens
• Green cabbage
• Broccoli
• Celery
• Lettuce
• Parsley
• Wheatgrass

It is common to add a fruit such as an apple or a lemon, or sweeter vegetables like carrots and cucumber to the mix to make green juice a little more tasty.


What’s green juice got that other juices don’t?

This question is really at the foundation of the benefits of green juice, and is one that I asked myself when I first started to hear the buzz about this healthy colorful beverage. Are not all juices made equal? Are not wonderful colored juices such as pomegranate juice, blueberry juice, strawberry juice, carrot juice just as good as green juice? Isn’t variety the real key? These are all good questions, and the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. However, if someone were to ask the hypothetical question “if for some reason you were only allowed to drink one color of juice, what would it be?” – I would be forced to say green. Let me explain why. (Read our post Benefits of Juicing for a general idea of the health benefits of juicing)


The Sugar Factor

The first and foremost reason for me comes down to sugar. Green juice has minimal amounts of calories and sugar because green vegetables are low in calories and sugar. Other colored vegetables such as carrots and beets, tend to be sweeter and contain more calories and sugar. An 8oz glass of carrot juice contains about 15 grams of sugar. Fruit juice is even more sugary, and for that reason I keep my fresh fruit juice intake to a minimum. At most I drink a 4oz glass 3 times a week. The fact that juice loses its fiber, which is the component of fruits and vegetables that slows down the rate at which sugars are absorbed into the blood stream is also an important point to bring up. Fruit juice can cause blood sugar spikes, and if over done can increase the risk of health conditions that come with excess sugar intake. Here are a 146 reasons to cut down sugar intake. Also check out our post Is Fresh Fruit Juice Bad for You? However, don’t be scared off by this, within moderation fruit juice is fine, just be aware of the amount of sugars you are consuming in a day.


For checking the amount of calories and sugar in juice I use My Fitness Pal Calorie Counter. This is the only place that I have found that provides calorie information for a variety of fresh-made fruit and vegetables juices, even including green juices such as cabbage juice, broccoli juice, kale juice and more. When searching use the words “raw” and “fresh” to find what you need. For example type “raw kale juice” or “fresh spinach juice”. Using this system you will find that most green juices contain zero sugar, or just a gram or 2 of sugar for an 8 ounce glass. Of course, this makes sense since the raw whole green vegetables contain very little sugar. We can drink lots of green juice and not be concerned.

Green vegetables are green because of the chlorophyll they contain. The darker green they are the more chlorophyll they contain. Kale and spinach are therefore greater sources of chlorophyll than celery. It is the benefits of abundant chlorophyll content then that are unique to green juice, and these benefits are powerful. Here are some known benefits:

• Wound Healing. Research dating back to the 1940′s discovered that chlorophyllin (a component of chlorophyll) helps wounds to heal faster.
• Powerful Antioxidant. Chlorophyll and chlorophyllin are both potent antioxidants that have anti-cancer properties and help prevent our cells from oxidative damage.
• Detoxification. Chlorophyll attaches to toxins, especially heavy metals, and removes them safely from the body. Chlorophyll also cleanses the liver by protecting it from cancer-causing cells.
• Blood Building. The chlorophyll molecule is almost identical to that of the heme part of our red blood cells. Although not yet confirmed, chlorophyll is believed to help increase red blood cell count, and may help with anemia.
• Alkalizing. One of the most potent benefits of chlorophyll is its alkalizing effect on the body. Because of its chlorophyll content, green juice is one of the most alkalizing foods that we can consume. The benefits of reducing the amount of acid in the body (given that over acidity is an epidemic) cannot be understated. The more acidic the body, the more prone it is to illness and disease. Acidity is a breeding ground for bad health.

The Everything Else Factor

Just because green juice is green because of the chlorophyll it contains, doesn’t mean that is the only antioxidant it contains. The list of antioxidants in green juice are mind-blowing. You will be receiving the antioxidant benefits of beta-carotene, sulphorane, vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, zeazanthin, kaempferol, quercetin, and many others with long unpronounceable names. In addition to this your green juice is a great source of many trace minerals, including calcium and magnesium, and a great source of vitamin K and living enzymes.

This all adds up to one of the most nutrient dense health promoting drinks that exist. Yep, juice of other colors are important too to get a diversity of antioxidants and other nutrients, but if there is one juice that contains more nutrients than all others, it is a juice that come in the darkest green.


Happy Juicing
Darren

Sources:

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/phytochemicals/chlorophylls/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/542432-does-chlorophyll-cleanse-the-blood/

1) Talk to your doctor. Any detox diet plan is a serious matter that you need to consult with your doctor about. Even though a lemon detox diet plan is made up of 100 percent natural ingredients, you still need to hear what your physician recommends. Keep in mind that reactions to a detoxification diet plan can vary. Your doctor’s view can help you determine whether or not this detox diet plan is suitable for your body. You also need to understand the potential risks involved with this detox diet.

2) Preparing for the diet. It is important to prepare yourself physically, emotionally and mentally. Keep in mind that after beginning a lemon detox diet plan you’ll experience physical changes that may be strange to you. You can do that by steadily decreasing your intake of junk food before you begin your diet plan. This way, one’s body won’t be too surprised by the new changes in diet.

3) Gather the ingredients. Purchase all necessary ingredients. For the lemon detox diet you will need lemon juice (fresh squeezed), purified water, maple syrup and cayenne pepper. Before collecting the ingredients, keep in mind that the diet is a 100 percent all-natural diet. What this means is that you shouldn’t replace any ingredients with artificial ones. For instance, don’t substitute all-natural lemon juice with concentrated lemon juice.

4) The lemon detox diet recipe. Once you’ve collected all of the ingredients, it’s time to get the recipe ready.

The recommended time for the lemon detox diet is 10 days. Should you want to exceed the 10 days standard time, you must do so under a doctor’s supervision. However, you may still do it for a shorter time. This is good for people trying it out for the very first time.

Below are two charts, each showing the content of carbohydrates, sugar, fat, protein, fiber and calories in a lemon, and lemon juice calories respectively. It is good to note there are less overall calories in lemon juice compared to the whole flesh of lemons. There is much less fiber in the juice, and just a little more sugar. All nutrient information sourced from the USDA Nutrient Database.

Calories in Lemon
Flesh Only

Nutrient	Unit	Per 100.0g	Per 1 Cup	1 Fruit (2-1/8" dia)
Energy	Kcal	29	61	17
Protein	g	1.10	2.33	0.64
Total fat	g	0.30	0.64	0.17
Total Carbohydrate	g	9.32	19.76	5.41
Fiber	g	2.8	5.9	1.6
Sugars, total	g	2.50	5.30	1.45

Calories in Lemon Juice
Fresh-made not bottled

Nutrient	Unit	Per 100.0g	Per 1 cup	Per 1 fl oz
Energy	Kcal	22	54	7
Protein	g	0.35	0.85	0.11
Total Fat	g	0.24	0.59	0.07
Total Carbohydrate	g	6.90	16.84	2.10
Fiber	g	0.3	0.7	0.1
Sugars	g	2.52	6.15	0.77

Vitamin C
The juice of lemons, as with all citrus fruit, are a rich vitamin C source. A 50 gram serving of freshly made lemon juice, or a little under 1/4 cup, delivers 23 milligrams of vitamin C — above 33% of the RDA (recommended daily allowance). Vitamin C, just like vitamins E and A, is an antioxidant that facilitates immunity function. Additionally, it will help safeguard your cells from free radicals, that can cause considerable harm. Free radicals are atoms that are charged and created when particular molecules interact together with oxygen. They react with the DNA with cells and with cell membranes, hampering their function. Defective cells are the very first step that leads to the progression of cancer. Opting for a diet loaded with antioxidants, from vegetables and fruits, are a factor in the prevention of cancer. So let’s look more deeply at some of the many great lemon juice benefits.

Lemon Juice Benefits for the Liver
Your liver creates bile. Bile is used to help with digestion. Lemon juice stimulates the liver to manufacture additional bile. Therefore, consuming lemon juice at morning time aids your digestion through the day. Your is digested more rapidly to help you accelerate your metabolism and limit the risk of digestion problems. You may also squeeze a little bit of lemon into some water and drink with every meal to encourage healthy digestion.

Full of Calcium
The body needs calcium to construct bone strength and density and maintain a healthy central nervous system. The health benefits of lemon juice are loaded with calcium. Your bones, teeth and nervous system all reap the benefits of consuming 1 glass of lemon juice every day.

Calcium supplies the body with energy also. If you’re lacking in energy, consuming an 8 oz glass of lemon juice is an all natural method to boost energy without salt, caffeine or sugar. There isn’t any subsequent burn out after boosting vitality with lemon juice benefit, that’s otherwise experienced with commercially produced energy beverages or beverages loaded with caffeine.

Lemon Juice Benefits for Skin
The antiseptic abilities of lemon, makes it a highly effective product for natural skin care. Minor bruises or cuts can be remedied naturally by utilizing several drops of lemon juice over the affected region. This juice also aids with blood clotting. So, when you have a cut, simply apply some lemon juice to the injured spot to cease the bleeding. Sufficient lemon juice intake helps to detoxify the body, which is demonstrated by a glowing healthy skin. Individuals who are in the routine of consuming lemon juice daily, have less complaint with blackheads and wrinkles. Besides these health benefits of lemon juice for the skin, others include decreasing burning sensations, improving the look of scars, managing acne, getting rid of old skin debris, and bleaching discolored or darkened areas.

Pectin is a structural heteropolysaccharide and is a type of fiber that is found in cell walls and tissues in plants. Its physical appearance is commonly white or light brown powder. It mainly comes from citrus fruits and is what makes a jam jelly, it is a gelling agent and it is also used as a stabilizer for fruit juices and milk beverages. The amount of pectin varies from plant to plant and apples contain the highest amount among these sources.

When used as a dietary fiber it can provide a variety of health benefits. If you want to go all natural a great source will be the skin or pulp of the apple and if that would be too tasking, supplementation is always available. Aside from being a great source of health benefits, it also has one specific function that could interest a totally different market and that is the weight loss market.

Weight Loss

There is nothing better than losing weight the natural way when it comes to gaining better control of your health. That is the main reason why so many products are out there today that aids in that process. Many of the natural products and have been used in herbal medicine for hundreds of years already and Apple Pectin is not any different in that sense. It is all natural and comes from what we already know and maybe even love, apples. The way pectin is able to influence healthy weight loss is because of its ability to maintain a healthy balance in the colon.

It acts like a broom sweeping excess chemicals from the body through regular bowel movements, excess chemicals like fats and cholesterols. Another way it is able to help like most fiber compounds does, it helps the stomach feel fuller longer since it gradually moves food through the digestive tract to allow better nutrient absorption and the way it is able to do that is by expanding within the stomach, hence the feeling of satiety.

Soluble Fiber for Better Cholesterol Levels

Aside from the weight loss benefits that a fiber can provide it also has been linked to lowered cholesterol levels. In this case, apple pectin is a soluble fiber which is the kind of fiber that can disperse or spread in water. Soluble fiber has been shown in studies to lower cholesterol by reducing the amount of it absorbed in the intestines. It may be a cliché but I’ll say it anyway, we have all heard about the saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”, well in this case it is more like keeps the cholesterol away.

Literally, because of the pectin content in apples, it really will keep a lot of cholesterol away. Although it may take a lot more than just one apple a day, the fact still remains that Apple Pectin can definitely help in cholesterol levels, and there also is evidence that it does not only lower down LDL which is the bad cholesterol, it also has the ability to increase HDL which is the good cholesterol in our bodies.

Lose weight and maintain good cholesterol with natural apple pectin fiber. 

-Darrell Miller, VitaNet, LLC

Vitamin E is a rich source of antioxidants containing powerful beneficial properties which help to protect the body against free radicals. Vitamin E plays a major role in improving the body’s immune system which helps to prevent carcinogens forming in the stomach. These harmful free radicals have proven to be the cause behind damage to the body’s cells which increases the risk of cancer and cardiovascular conditions.

Natural sources which are high in vitamin E include vegetable oils, fruits, nuts, corn, olives, asparagus, wheat germ, and spinach. It is also available in the form of a dietary supplement. Vitamin E possesses a wide range of health related benefits and contributes considerably in helping to prevent and treat a number of health issues.

Anti-Aging
Vitamin E contains powerful antioxidant properties which slow down the process of oxidation and in turn helping to keep skin looking younger. Because of the high level of antioxidants present it has proven to be a very effective anti-aging ingredient. It contains healing qualities and has the ability to improve the overall condition of the skin by reducing the appearance of fine lines and correcting skin tone.

Pregnancy and Menstruation
Vitamin E is often used to help prevent complications within the later stages of pregnancy because of its ability to control and maintain blood pressure levels. It has also proven very effective when treating and preventing symptoms of PMS and managing the effects of menstruation. If vitamin E is taken 2 days prior and 3 days post menstruation it can reduce pain levels and duration by reducing the amount of blood lost. The use of vitamin E can help with anxiety, depression, and cravings for people suffering from PMS.

Hair Loss
Vitamin E is essential in the promotion of healthy hair growth and therefore helps to reduce hair loss. Vitamin E improves blood circulation to the scalp which is a direct result of increasing the oxygen flow to hair follicles. The health of hair is linked to health of the immune system; therefore because of its ability to enhance immune function vitamin E will in turn stimulate the growth of hair. To help your scalp get its vitamin E quota, massage with coconut oil because coconut oil is fantastic for your hair.

Heart Disease
Vitamin E has the ability to reduce oxidation of bad forms of cholesterol that can cause blockages and clots within the coronary arteries. This ultimately reduces the risk of heart attack and disease.

Brain Function
Vitamin E is commonly used in the treatment of nervous system and brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s. If sufficient doses are administered this vitamin has the ability to protect the body against damage caused by free radicals which are typically responsible for the declined state of cognitive function. Vitamin E also helps with disorders and conditions relating to muscle and nerve damage such as Huntington’s disease.

Scars and Burns
Vitamin E contains moisturizing and healing qualities and can help to reduce the appearance of scars and fade stretch marks. It has the ability to soften the scar by reducing the strength of collagen, as a result making it more supple and flexible. For best results it is recommended you apply directly after showering as the skin is a lot softer and the oil can be absorbed more easily. By applying vitamin E oil directly onto burns it will help to soothe pain and reduce damage from excess sun exposure.

Daisy Raybould has a passion for solving health problems the way nature intended. She, along with a number of fellow natural health enthusiasts, share their tips, secrets and recipes designed to help you obtain perfect health using the power of nature’s wonders at RevitaliseYourHealth.com

The aloe vera plant is native to Africa, India and various other arid environments and has been utilized for 1000′s of years for the treatment of burns, skin infections and wounds.. Cave paintings in the south of Africa depict the therapeutic use of aloe, and it is said that Alexander the Great seized an island near to Somalia for its aloe plants. The aloe juice drink is condensed from inside the skin of this plant’s leaves and is under study for its possible benefits for health

Aloe Vera Drink Benefits Digestion
Considered an extremely soothing juice, aloe vera is utilized for helping with the recovery from a number of digestive issues, including ulcers, colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Research indicates that aloe vera’s polysaccharide compounds can calm the digestion and assist the replication of epithelial skin cells which line the inner intestinal tract. Aloe might also be helpful for additional digestive issues, including candida albicans, constipation, rectal itching and hemorrhoids, according to Balch in her book “Prescription for Nutritional Healing.”

Aloe Vera Drink Benefits for Blood Sugar
Research is beginning to demonstrate that aloe vera drinks might also be helpful for normalizing blood sugar levels and therefore could be helpful for diabetics. The Aloe Vera Guide highlights that aloe vera might help to stimulate insulin production in the pancreas. This has a particular usefulness for anyone with diabetes type 2, where the pancreas still produces some insulin. In addition, unlike other medicines for diabetes aloe vera juice drink doesn’t cause weight gain.

Buy Organic Aloe Vera at Amazon.com

Soreness Relieving Benefits of Aloe Vera Drink
Arthritis sufferers generally encounter soreness and stiffness throughout the joints. The anti-inflammatory compounds in aloe vera juice drink lessen this tenderness by alleviating pressure in the swollen joints. Once this pressure and inflammation is reduced, joints can then move more openly without discomfort and pain. Having the ability to move and workout can help also with arthritis since it fortifies the joints and their surrounding muscles to keep the body flexible.

Aloe Vera Drink Benefits for Burns
Gel from the aloe vera plant leaves or commercialized gel products can soothe skin that is burned from over-exposure to the sun. Used topically for your skin, aloe vera gel cools down the burn whilst it offers deep moisturizing for the damaged skin cells. It has shown wonderful therapeutic qualities for skin that is inflamed because of allergies, eczema, rashes, scraps, minor cuts and even insect stings too!

How Aloe Vera Works
If you cut open an aloe vera leaf you’ll find a transparent, sticky gel, comparable in consistency to commercial aloe vera creams and gels that you can buy in the drug store. The gel is what holds the answer to the aloe vera plant’s therapeutic qualities. The aloe vera plant features glycoproteins and polysaccharides, each of which bolster our immune system. Polysaccharides encourage skin cell growth and repair, whilst glycoproteins soothe alleviate pain and irritation. So if someone ask you “why is aloe vera good for you?”, you know what to say!

So what is aloe vera juice good for?

Wounds and Burns
In the book “Prescription for Herbal Healing“, the author Phyllis A. Balch says that aloe vera juice helps speed up the healing of wounds and burns by boosting the amount of oxygen transported to cells within the affected area. Maryland University Medical Center states that it features active compounds referred to as Glycoproteins which help to accelerate the process of healing by relieving inflammation and pain. Additionally, it features polysaccharides that stimulate skin repair and growth. Aloe vera is likewise helpful for treating eczema, psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff).

Buy Organic Aloe Vera at Amazon.com

Anti-Cancer Benefits
Recent studies indicate that aloe juice can both prevent and kill cancer. Scientists have demonstrated that aloe juice might specifically prevent lung cancer. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center details numerous potential anti-cancer substances that are present in the aloe plant. The compounds aloeride, acemannan, and DEHP have been shown to kill-off cancerous cells and could help to improve the therapeutic effects of chemotherapy medications. More research is needed to substantiate the anti-cancer qualities of aloe juice

Digestive Health Benefits
Aloe vera juice, or the more powerful liquid portion called aloe bitters, can be quite a fast and helpful treatment for constipation. As outlined by nutritionist Phyllis Balch, in comparison with additional herbal laxatives like cascara sagrada or senna leaf, aloe pulls less fluids into the bowels which makes it more unlikely to cause diarrhea or dehydration. In addition, drinking a 1/2 cup of aloe juice 3 times each day can help heal hemorrhoids flare-ups.

External Aloe Vera Juice Benefits
As well as drinking aloe vera juice, you may also use it externally to ease burns, and to help heal a number of skin problems. Aloe is extremely soothing; it can lessen skin inflammation, itchiness and blistering, and it can help your skin heal faster. An article from the book Herbal Supplements Guide, says that Aloe is extremely helpful for healing serious skin issues, like psoriasis, eczema and acne. Aloe vera gel is easily the most widely used type of Aloe placed on the skin. Lots of the gels nevertheless are highly refined, and stripped down of many of aloe’s natural therapeutic nutrients. Lots of aloe products consist of little or none of the active aloe compounds and as a result are not very effective. Therefore, using pure and organic aloe vera juice, which is minimally processed, would be more healing than using any store-purchased version of this gel. This article states further that getting a top quality pure organic aloe vera juice which is GMP certified, guarantees that there’s an adequate amount of active compounds to receive the healing benefits of aloe.

In health
Darren Haynes

Buy Pure Aloe Vera Gel at Amazon.com

Aloe Vera Gel Uses for Skin Conditions
Ointments and products created using aloe vera have been shown to have some evidence for treating seborrhea and psoriasis. Additional skin problems that might benefit from aloe gel include burns, blisters, insect bites, allergic rashes and frostbite. It offers relief after too much exposure to the sun and could assist in preventing blistering from the sunburn. Pure aloe vera gel uses also include reducing irritation and itching as a result of a number of skin problems, including bug bites, shaving burns and abrasions. Placed on small cut and scratches, aloe might perform a better job than cortisone cream at lowering the pain without the risk of thinning or damaging your skin.

Hair Conditioning Uses of Aloe Vera Gel
Popular as a moisturizer for skin, pure aloe vera gel features a similar regenerative influence on hair. Aloe gel conditions hair, leaving it shinier and softer. Mix 1/2 a cup aloe gel with the juice from half a lemon. Add in hair-supportive essential oils, such as rosemary for greasy hair or peppermint for dried-out hair. Apply such mixtures to wet, fresh-washed hair. Leave on for about 5 minutes, then rinse.

Pure Aloe Vera Gel Benefits for Relieving Dandruff
One of the uses of aloe vera gel is that it might help with dandruff relief, especially in cases of seborrheic dermatitis. This disorder causes scaly skin and inflammation upon the scalp. Seborrheic dermatitis patients who applied aloe vera ointments to their scalps twice a day for 6 weeks encountered a 62 % reduction in symptoms such as itching and scaliness, as outlined by a study publicized in the “Journal of Dermatological Treatment” back in 1999.

Aloe Vera Gel Uses for Herpes
University of Maryland Medical Center reports that aloe vera applied topically can be useful for treating the genital herpes symptoms, voicing a study of males who usilized aloe vera for treating genital herpes outbreaks and experienced a quicker recovery of herpes sores compared to men that used a placebo lotion. Should you have genital herpes, speak with your physician about pure aloe vera gel uses for treating your outbreaks.

Shaving Uses for Aloe Vera Gel
This wonderful use of aloe vera gel is often overlooked or even not known about, but aloe vera gel makes an excellent natural alternatice to shaving creams. In fact you will most likely find that it does a better job at keeping you face feeling softer and kepping the inflammation of shaving at bay. I can attest to this personally.


Best Wishes
Darren Haynes

Well the answer to the fundamental question “is pickle juice good for you or is pickle juice bad for you?” is simply this – both. There is one key benefit to pickle juice – sports nutrition – and one key disadvantage – possibly increasing acid reflux.

Acid Reflux (Heartburn)
Vinegar is in fact one type of food that is not advised if you have acid reflux. The University of Columbia suggests that this is due to the acidic nature of vinegar irritating an already sore wind pipe. Vinegar is a substantial ingredient for making pickle juice, so the notion that pickle juice can help stop acid reflux is contrary to typical medical health advice. Actually, when Jennifer Huget of “The Washington Post” attempted to find proof for a similar claim that cider vinegar combats acid reflux, Professor. Joel Richter at the Temple University of Medicine shared with her that he “completely had no idea how apple cider vinegar would aid someone with GERD and acid reflux.”

The notion that pickle juice aids acid reflux seems to be entirely a matter of word-of-mouth. No scientific research seems to exist, neither has there been official speculation why the brine could be beneficial. This means that drinking the juice while you have acid reflux might be risky; you may wind up tempting fate and upping your pain, especially when you have been told by your physician to not use vinegar. Additionally, if you’re keeping an eye on your salt intake, taking pickle juice is actually a bad idea since pickle juice is high in sodium.

Sports Drink Benefits
Pickle juice generally features high quantities of electrolytes, including salt. This makes pickle juice much like sport beverages in its effects within the body. Electrolytes assist nervous system function and helps cells communicate with each other via nervous impulses. Whenever you deplete the electrolyte levels in your bloodstream by exercising, it can result in muscle tissue cramping. A 2003 study released in the Journal of Athletic Training highly recommends athletes that use pickle juice for replacing fluids to dilute the juice due to its high acidity and salt content.