Do Different Juicing Ingredients Contain Weight Loss Properties?
Juicing is a great addition to any diet, and especially to a weight loss plan. But what are the benefits of different juices for weight loss? The various nutrients and vitamins assist in the weight loss process like a dream. You can read about how juicing helps with weight loss in my post on Juicing for Weight Loss and Energy.
The best way to implement juicing is by following specifically designed juices, such as my juicing recipes for weight loss. However, it is also important to realise why all of those delicious fruits and vegetables were chosen in the recipes.
All fruit and vegetables have their own unique set of vitamins, minerals and nutrients. When we consume them, they all have different affects on our body. Some are great for weight loss, some for healing inflammation and even for improving heart health.
Design Your Own Recipes Specific To Your Body
If you know what each ingredient is good for, you can then create your own recipes tailored to your needs. For instance, if you are trying to lose weight and also improve your liver health, then you may want to make a juice including cabbage.
If you decide to create your own juice recipes, a great rule of thumb is to keep fruit based juices for the morning and vegetable based juices for any other time of the day or night.
So, let’s get into it. Below is a list of common ingredients used in juicing and the benefits of these different juices for weight loss and other health gains.
A Note On Fiber
Fruits and vegetables contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. The difference is that soluble fiber can dissolve in water, and insoluble fiber cannot. What does this have to do weight loss? When we juice, we are removing the insoluble fiber from our fruit and veggies, and keeping the soluble fiber.
Therefore, our bodies are getting all of the weight loss benefits of fiber without using a whole lot of energy to break it down. This means we have more energy to use for movement, burning fat in the process and promoting weight loss.
Search By Ingredient
Fruits
Pineapple
Weight loss
Rich in soluble fiber and low and calories, which is great for weight loss.
Anti-inflammatory
Bromelain present in pineapple is an effective anti-inflammatory. Great for bloating, arthritis and even healing sports injuries.
Blood pressure
The high levels of potassium and low levels of sodium in pineapple promote the lowering of blood pressure.
Eye and skin health
Vitamin C in pineapple is great for cataract prevention and skin health.
Heart Disease
The Vitamin C, Bromelain and Beta Carotene help to fight heart disease and prevent cancer cell growth.
Fertility
Vitamin C, Beta Carotene, Copper, Zinc and Folate in pineapple all help to bosst fertility in both men and women.
Lemon
Weight Loss
Lemon helps with both speeding up the metabolism and with digestion. In turn, your body can more efficiently absorb nutrients necessary for fat use as energy. It also means you will have more energy, meaning more voluntary movement, which leads to weight loss.
Regulation
Lemon is a cleansing agent and a blood purifier, making digestion much easier and relieving constipation.
Alkalinity
Lemon is highly alkaline, increasing the body’s alkalinity and fighting off disease such as cancer
Kidney Cleanse
Lemon dissolves calcium deposits , which cleanses both the kidneys and the urinary tract. It also helps to prevent kidney stones
Cancer
Anti-oxidants in lemon such as Vitamin C help to fight free radicals in the body, which in turn prevents cancer and other diseases.
Juice recipes with lemon
Grapefruit
Weight Loss
Grapefruit is a natural hunger suppressor, which will stop you from overeating. It is also very low in calories and high in soluble fiber.
Alkalinity
Grapefruit is highly alkaline, increasing the body’s alkalinity and fighting off disease such as cancer.
Immune System
The immune system is strengthened by the following agents in grapefruit: Vitamins A, B and C, Beta Carotene, Lycopene, Flavanodes.
Anti-Inflammatory
Vitamin A in grapefruit acts as an anti-inflammatory. Great for reducing bloating and arthritis pains.
Cholesterol
Grapefruit contains good cholesterol, which counter balances bad cholesterol. It also contains other nutrients and anti-oxidants like potassium which lower blood pressure and reduce bad cholesterol. Ever wonder why those cholesterol tablets you take say not to eat grapefruit…
Diabetes
Good for preventing insulin resistance, which is what leads to diabetes.
Cancer
Anti-oxidants such as Vitamin C, Beta-Carotene, Lycopene and Flavanodes all help the body to fight free radicals, which are what causes cancer and other diseases.
Kidney Cleanse
Grapefruit’s citric acid surrounds kidney stone properties with calcium and flushes them out of the body.
Apples
Weight Loss
The natural sodium in apples helps to release excess water weight, decreasing bloating
Regulation
The Sorbitol in apples relieves constipation by flushing water from the large intestines into the colon
Skin Health
The Vitamin C in apples produces collagen in out bodies which improves skin health and also helps to keep our ligaments and tendons healthy.
Diabetes
The phytochemicals in apples regulate blood sugar which decreases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Disease Prevention
Anti-oxidants and biochemicals such as polyphenols, flavenoids and potassium prevent diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
Asthma
Flavonoids in apples increase lung functionality, which both prevents asthma from developing and reduces asthma symptoms.
Juice Recipes with Apples
Kiwifruit
Weight Loss and Anxiety
Kiwifruit contains serotonin, which promotes calm feelings and relieves stress. It also helps to improve sleeping patterns. This in turn promotes healthy weight regulation as fat is stored by the body when under pressure (stress and lack of sleep).
Heart Health
Kiwifruit juice prevents blood clots which lowers blood pressure and therefore improves heart health and prevents cardiovascular disease
Skin Health
Kiwifruit detoxifies skin cells, leading to healthier and glowing skin.
Anti-Aging
The antioxidants in kiwifruit helps to fight off free radicals in the body which not only prevents cancer cell growth, but also slows down the aging process.
Lime
Skin Health
The high levels of Vitamin C in limes produce collagen which improves the health of skin, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. It also speeds up the repair of damages skin tissue.
Immunity
Flavonoids in limes are anti-carcinogenic and help to improve immunity.
Liver Detox
Limes have 8 different limonoids that promote liver detoxification.
Oranges
Anti-Inflammatory
Oranges are a natural anti-inflammatory, which reduces bloating and promotes weight loss.
Skin Health
Oranges are high in Vitamin C, producing collagen which improves the health of skin, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. It also speeds up the repair of damages skin tissue.
Cancer
Anti-oxidants in oranges help to fight free radical cells in our bodies, which minimises the risk of developing diseases like cancer.
Kidney Function
The Vitamin A in oranges improves kidney function and also helps to maintain eye health.
Blood Pressure
Hesperidin, which is present in oranges, improves the functioning of our small blood vessels, in turn lowering blood pressure.
Pears
Weight Loss
Pears help to cleanse and reduce inflammation in the colon. This improves our ability to absorb nutrients, which boosts energy levels and aids with weight loss through voluntary movement.
Cancer & Brain Health
The antioxidants in pears such as flavonols, catechins and epicatechins fight free radicals. This prevents diseases such as cancer and helps to improve brain health.
Osteoporosis
Pears contain calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron which all help to increase bone mineral density, preventing osteoporosis.
Iron
High levels of iron in pears boost red blood cell production and help to prevent anemia.
Heart Health
The potassium in pears helps to lower blood pressure, improving overall heart health.
Watermelon
Weight Loss
The amino acid Citrulline, present in watermelon, blocks the effects of a fat storing enzyme, which in turn interrupts the accumulation of fat cells in the body, leading to weight loss.
Anti-Inflammatory
Watermelon contains high levels of flavonoids, carotenoids and beta-carotene which naturally fight inflammation.
Kidney Health
Watermelon cleanses our kidneys by flushing out ammonia and uric acid.
Citrulline
This amino acid has many other benefits aside from weight loss. It converts to arginine in the body which relaxes blood vessels and improves blood flow. This, in turn, lowers blood pressure, improves heart health, decreases overall stress and reduces muscle soreness after exercise.
Skin Health
The anti-oxidant Lycopene in watermelon helps to protect the skin from UV damage.
Pomegranate
Weight Loss
Pomegranate has high traces of soluble fiber, which aids weight loss.
Anti-Infammatory
Pomegranate helps to reduce inflammation which is great for reducing bloating and relieving pains from arthritis.
Cholesterol
Antioxidants in pomegranate prevent bad cholesterol from oxidising, which helps to remove excess fat from around the artery walls.
Heart Health
Pomegranate is a natural blood thinner, which helps to prevent blood clots and in turn lowers blood pressure. This improves overall heart health by removing stress from the heart.
Blueberries
Weight Loss
Blueberries are high in the biochemical Tannin. This naturally reduces inflammation in the digestive tract, treating both constipation and diarrhea. This is great for aiding weight loss.
Brain Health
The flavanoids in blueberries helps to improve and maintain brain health. This prevents memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease and other mental health disorders.
Vegetables
Beetroot
Weight Loss
Nitrate in beetroot increases oxygen flow to your muscles, heart and brain. This increases energy levels which promotes weight loss through voluntary movement.
Blood Pressure
This increase in oxygen from the nitrate also lowers blood pressure.
Skin Health
Vitamin C in beetroot allows our bodies to naturally produce collagen, which give us youthful and glowing skin.
Detox
The betalains in beetroot are anti-inflammatory and are a detoxifying property. This, as well as other anti-oxidants help to flush toxins out of the body, especially from the liver.
Diabetes
The natural sugars in beetroot are low GI, meaning they release very slowly which regulates blood sugar levels and prevents sugar spikes.
Anti-Aging
The lycopene in beetroot helps to protect our skin from sun damage and it keeps the elasticity in our skin, giving a youthful appearance.
Side Effects
Some people experience nausea or diarrhea if they consume too much beetroot in one day. This doesn’t happen to everyone and the amount that you should consume in one day varies from person to person. In general, 1 small beetroot per day should be okay. If you do experience any side effects reduce the amount of beetroot you are consuming.
Juice Recipes With Beetroot
Cucumber
Kidney Cleanse
The Vitamin K in cucumbers acts as a kidney cleansing agent.
Nose Bleeds
Cucumbers are a great way to overcome a Vitamin K deficiency. Signs of a deficiency are nose bleeds, bleeding gums and being easily bruised. The Vitamin K activates a protein that triggers blood coagulation.
Brain Performance
The copper in cucumbers increases brain performance by stimulating the growth of neurotransmitters, which are responsible for sending messages from the brain to the rest of our body.
Immunity
Copper also increases our red blood cell count and therefore improves the immune system.
Calcium
Cucumbers are a fantastic plant based source of calcium.
Juice Recipes With Cucumber
Carrots
Eye Health
Properties in carrots such as beta carotine, lutein and zeaxanthin all assist in protecting our eyes and maintaining eye health.
Immunity
Carrots are packed with antioxidants which help to protect us from diseases, viruses and harmful bacteria. Some of these carotenoid antioxidants include Vitamin C, beta carotene, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin.
Heart Disease
The antioxidants found in carrots play a role in improving heart health. They do this by reducing oxidative stress, which in turn improves the bodies ability to defend itself from different forms of heart disease. Carrots also lower bad cholesterol and increase our ability to digest fat, also leading to improved heart health.
Cancer
The antioxidants in carrots lower oxidative stress as well as inflammation. This reduces the ability for cancer cells to grow.
Juice Recipes With Carrots
Cabbage
Weight Loss
Cabbage assists with weight loss by detoxing the upper section of the intestines, which eases digestion.
Liver Detox
The antioxidant indole-3 carboline present in cabbage assists in detoxifying the liver.
Skin Health
The silicon and sulphur present in cabbage cleans skin cells and also adds nutrients to them. This makes skin look and feel healthy.
Cancer
Cabbage is high in Vitamin C and K, which helps the body to fight free radical cells. These cells are what cause diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
Celery
Weight Loss
Celery is high in luteolin and polyacetylenes which are both proven to be anti-inflammatory properties. Consuming celery therefore reduces inflammation such as bloating, which assists in weight loss. These anti-inflammatory properties can also be used for inflammation such as arthritis, acne and asthma.
Detox
The nutrients in celery help to flush out excess water weight and toxins, while at the same time being extremely hydrating.
Blood Pressure
Properties in celery such as phthalide, coumarins and apigenin work to reduce blood pressure. They do this by relaxing muscles inside blood vessels, lowering cholesterol and reducing cortisol which constricts blood vessels.
Cancer
Celery is packed with antioxidants which help the body to fight free radical cancer producing cells.
Skin Health
Celery contains Vitamin K which improves skin elasticity as well as Vitamin A, B and C which all contribute to healthy, glowing skin.
Muscle Recovery
The natural occurring sodium and potassium in celery helps our muscles to recover fast.
Improved Sleep
Magnesium is proven to help relax the body and improve sleep. Magnesium is naturally present in celery.
Juice Recipes With Celery
Kale
Weight Loss
Kale juice is fantastic for weight loss. One cup has only 36 calories, yet it is packed with vitamins and nutrients that will help to keep your body going throughout the day. It is also very high in soluble fiber which aid in digestion and weight loss.
Detox
Kale is a great juice for detoxing. The sulphur in kale sticks to toxins, which makes it easier for them to pass through our bodies.
Disease Prevention
The antioxidants in kale such as the carotenoids and flavonoids protect our body from diseases such as cancers and heart disease by fighting free radical cells.
Heart Health
The antioxidants present in kale work to lower blood pressure by dilating blood vessels and improving blood circulation. They also help to strengthen the heart for overall improved heart health.
Cholesterol
The soluble fiber in kale assists in lowering bad cholesterol in the body.
Juice Recipes With Kale
Spinach
Weight Loss
High traces of soluble fiber in spinach help us to stay full for longer, aiding the weight loss process.
Alkalinity
Spinach is a highly alkaline food, so consuming it raises our bodies overall alkalinity. This means that the body is in a stable state where disease and free radicals do not have a chance to survive or grow.
Osteoperosis
Vitamin K found in spinach is an excellent source of plant based calcium. This helps to maintain bone strength and helps to prevent osteoporosis.
Sweet Potato
Weight Loss
Sweet potato juice is high in soluble fiber which helps with weight loss by helping us to stay full and satisfied for long periods, reducing the chance of overeating. Also, the potassium in sweet potato helps the body to effectively burn calories, assisting in the weight loss process.
Anti-Infalmmatory
Sweet potato is known for it’s anti-inflammatory benefits. This not only eases bloating, but it is also good for stress relief, which are both great for weight loss.
Digestion
The Vitamin B6 found in sweet potato helps to make digestion an easy process. This also helps with weight loss.
Stress Relief
Sweet potato contains magnesium which is proven to help relieve stress. This is excellent for improving sleeping patterns and treating depression. An added bonus is that when the body is no longer under stress, it becomes a lot easier to loose extra weight.
Stomach Ulcers
Vitamin D, beta carotene, potassium and calcium in sweet potato all work to reduce any present stomach ulcers in the body.
Broccoli
Anemia
Broccoli is a high source of plant based iron. Regular consumption assists in fighting iron deficiency and therefore increases red blood cell production.
Cancer
Vitamin B2 found in broccoli helps the body to process B6 and B9 vitamins into usable forms. This in turn helps the body to fight free radicals which lead to cancer and other diseases.
Strong Bones
Broccoli is a great source of plant based calcium, which helps to strengthen our bones and teeth. This is good for preventing osteoporosis.
Manganese
The manganese in broccoli is great for overall bodily function. It helps with several functions including wound healing, helping the body to process carbohydrates and protein, it is good for bone development and it also helps to activate antioxidants.
Spices
Ginger
Anti-Inflammatory
Ginger is a well known anti-inflammatory. It can be used to decrease bloating (helping with weight loss), symptoms of arthritis, acne and to speed up wound recovery. The antioxidants in ginger help to remove impurities in the body and increase blood flow, which is what relieved inflammation.
Blood Pressure
Ginger can thin blood, and it works almost immediately. So it is a great relief for people with high blood pressure.
Motion Sickness
Ginger removes impurities from the stomach which makes digestion easier. It also calms the stomach, easing any signs on motion sickness.
Cholesterol
Ginger helps to lower bad cholesterol by removing blockages in blood vessels and allowing blood to flow easily.
Juice Recipes With Ginger
Turmeric
Weight Loss
Turmeric helps to improve digestion. It also speeds up the body’s metabolism, assisting with weight loss.
Anti-Inflammatory
The anti-inflammatory properties in turmeric make it great for reducing bloating, which helps with weight loss. It is also good for reducing symptoms of arthritis and acne, and also speeds up the recovery of sports injuries.
Memory
Curcumin in turmeric reduces inflammation in the brain. This lowers the amount of cell damage from free radical cells in the brain. This therefore helps to prevent memory loss and deterioration which is what causes Alzheimer’s disease.
Stomach Ulcers
Turmeric works to lower excess stomach acidity, which prevents stomach ulcers as well as acid reflux.
Diabetes
Turmeric helps with type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels.
Juice Recipes With Turmeric
Herbs
Parsley
Weight Loss
Parsley is a natural diuretic. This helps to flush any toxins out of the body as well as excess sodium and water. This all helps in reducing body weight.
Cancer
Parsley is very high in antioxidants which help to fight against disease forming free radical cells. This helps to protect our bodies from diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
Immunity
The Vitamins A and C along with other vitamins and minerals in parsley help to improve our immune system, meaning we can easily fight any bad bacteria or viruses.
Heart Health
The nutrients in parsley help to balance out amino acids, which improves heart health.
Juice Recipes With Parsley