Therapeutic Juices

Therapeutic Juices

Overview

• Juice therapy involves consuming raw fruit or vegetable juices.
• Holistic nutritionists use fresh juices to deliver concentrated nutrients and phytochemicals.
• Juices can be used for health maintenance or disease treatment.
• Juicing can be preventative (staying healthy) or therapeutic (treating a medical condition).
• Treatment protocols vary in duration and combination with other foods.

Historical Context and Preparation

• Ayurvedic principles teach that juice consumption strengthens body tissues.
• From 1917, extraction was promoted as the only beneficial method.
• Juice should ideally be consumed immediately after extraction due to nutrient loss.
• If immediate consumption is not possible:
  • Store in the fridge.
  • Add an antioxidant (e.g., vitamin C, lemon juice, or turmeric).

Popular Juice Recommendations

• Two cups of orange juice daily may reduce blood pressure.
• Cranberry juice may help with urinary tract infections.

Cautions

• Juicing removes most dietary fiber.
• Fruit and sweet vegetable juices (e.g., carrot, beetroot) can be high in kilojoules and naturally occurring sugars.
• Juice fasting is not suitable for:
  • Pregnant women
  • People with diabetes
  • Those with ulcers or heart conditions
• Organic acids in some fruits and vegetables may erode tooth enamel; using a straw can help.
• Excessive consumption of certain vegetables can lead to toxic compound intake:
  • Goitrogenic compounds from cruciferous vegetables
  • Oxalates from spinach and silverbeet