A blood purifying tonic to rock your taste buds and health alike

The gorgeous blood red hue found in beets is the result of a class of phytonutrients called betalains. They will purify your blood and reduce stress in your body by providing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and detoxification support.

What makes juicing an especially great way to get betalains out of the beet and into your body is that betalains are lost when heated. Not entirely, but the longer you cook beets the less you will have. I enjoy both cooked and raw beets, but nutritionally speaking, juicing can’t be beat.

Albeit that it’s in the form of fructose, this juice has a fairly high sugar content, and may not be recommended for diabetics or those battling yeast overgrowth. If you don’t have these health issues, you will not likely experience the kind of high and crash caused by processed sugary foods. I eat very little sugar and don’t have any ill effects after drinking this on an empty stomach. If anything, I enjoy a lasting energetic well being.

When I started juicing I also became aware of the food combining philosophy, which indicates that juices should be taken on an empty stomach about 20 minutes prior to a whole food meal. Although there’s debate about the validity of the food combining philosophy, and even some recent research that might debunk the concept altogether, when it comes to juicing the idea resonates with me and feels right in my body.

Other food combining rules don’t seem to apply to  my experience with meals. I definitely feel great when combining meat protein with starchy veggies for example. But with juicing, my digestion of the nutrient-rich liquid feels much cleaner when taken on an empty stomach.

Preparation Notes

Use high quality, organic produce. The concentration of pesticides on “conventional” produce is especially high consumed in juice form. Conventional produce will also be severely lacking in minerals and nutrients which will result in a liquid packed with pesticide chemicals and sugars. Get all the details on digestion and what qualities to look for when shopping for produce here >>>

Drink your juice within about 30 minutes to benefit from all the vital nutrients released in the process. Try not to gulp it down too fast though. It’s best if you swish your juice around and allow some digestive enzymes to be produced in your mouth so that your stomach can prepare to receive this elixir of good health.

If you have a Hurom like I do, it’s best to alternate between leafy greens and hard veggies to prevent jamming. If you’re in the market for a juicer, the Hurom is a solid mid-grade option for someone who juices only occasionally. If you’d prefer to invest in a top of the line product, consider the Green Star Elite.