HEALTH BENEFITS OF VEGETABLE JUICES

Watercress Juice

Vitamins: A, B, C and E

Minerals: Calcium, chlorine, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, sulphur and zinc

Therapeutic benefits: Watercress juice is an excellent remedy for excess mucous and chronic bronchitis. It can also be taken in order to prevent the onset of flu or a cold.

It is good for anaemia, circulatory disorders and helps with kidney, bladder and liver problems.

Preparation for juicing: Choose fresh dark green leaves that show no signs of dryness or wilting. Do not drink watercress juice in large quantities or on its own, as it is very potent. Combine with carrot and spinach juice.

Tomato Juice

Vitamins: A, B, C and E

Minerals: Iron, phosphorous, potassium and sulphur

Therapeutic benefits: Tomatoes gain a lot of their nutrients from the sun and therefore are highly energising and nutritive. They are excellent for blood disorders and a good tonic for the nervous system. This is particularly beneficial for people who suffer from anxiety, stress, nervousness, insomnia and fatigue.

Tomatoes have the ability to eliminate uric acid from the body and so are an excellent food for people with arthritis, gout and rheumatism.

They are hugely detoxifying and can help with skin disorders such as acne or boils.

Preparation for juicing: Choose tomatoes that have been ripened on the vine and make sure that they are ripe and heavy. Wash thoroughly, chop and pass through the juicer with the skin.

Tomato juice is very popular on its own but can also be mixed with carrot, apple, celery or onion juice.

Spinach Juice

Vitamins: A, B, C and K

Minerals: Calcium, iodine, iron, phosphorous and potassium

Therapeutic benefits: Spinach has more iron in it than any other vegetable. It is good for anaemia, depression, fatigue, PMT and sufferers of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

It also helps with digestion and is a great internal body cleanser. For those suffering with boils, ulcers, abscesses and the like, a few glasses of spinach juice will help these to heal much faster.

Preparation for juicing: Choose leaves that are fresh and dark green in colour. Spinach juice is very strong and so should be consumed in moderation.

Parsley Juice

Vitamins: A and C

Minerals: Calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium and sulphur

Therapeutic benefits: Parsley is a very potent herb and should be consumed more often, as it has strong healing properties.

It is a strong diuretic and also a powerful stimulant, so should not be taken at night.

Parsley juice is useful for sufferers of migraines, high blood pressure, eye disorders and anaemia. It also benefits those whose arteries have hardened or for sufferers of arthritis.

It is a good blood cleanser and cures many bladder, liver and kidney troubles.

Preparation for juicing: Parsley juice is extremely potent and therefore should not be taken on its own or in large quantities. Always combine it with other juices such as carrot or celery. Choose parsley leaves that are dark green in colour.

Lettuce Juice

Vitamins: A, B, C, D and E

Minerals: Calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and potassium

Therapeutic benefits: Lettuce is an excellent remedy for constipation and should be consumed daily with olive oil in a salad.

It is also a powerful diuretic, aiding with bladder and circulatory problems such as fluid retention, cellulite and obesity.

It contains a chemical substance similar to opium, which acts as a powerful relaxant to the nervous system. It is therefore known to help with stress, anxiety, insomnia and heart palpitations.

Preparation for juicing: The darker varieties of lettuce are more nutritious. Choose lettuces that are heavy and green in colour.