All you really need to do is have the right tool. Using a juicer to get the most out of your strong antioxidant fruits can help you lose weight while you are starting to feel great again. When you mix fresh berries and other ingredients into a juicer, skin, seeds and all, and blend it into a refreshing drink or smoothie, you are then absorbing all of those wonderful vitamins, minerals and antioxidants from fruits. In fact, in some studies, combining certain fruit juices have been found to actually contain greater amounts of antioxidants than eating the raw fruit itself.
One group of scientists found that when they gave lab animals fruit with highest antioxidants like juice from berries, apples and purple grapes to drink over a long-term period, the antioxidants and especially phenolic compounds in the juice prevented the development of atherosclerosis in the animals. Athersclerosis is when there is hardening in the arteries that happens when cholesterol, fat, and other substances get built up in the walls of arteries, forming plaques that eventually can lead to strokes or heart attacks. The scientists concluded that processing, such as juicing, can have a major impact on the potential health benefits of fruit. You can quickly lower your cholesterol by juicing more and eating less processed foods.
But really, you don’t need to use the powerhouse fruits all of the time. Here is a great daily go-to recipe for a juice that is both high in antioxidants and packed with plenty of veggies.
Mean Green Juice
6 big Kale leaves
1 cup spinach leaves
4 stalks celery
1/2 cucumber
1″ piece fresh ginger root
2 apples
1/2 lemon, peeled
(I also add a peeled orange)
