If we are what we eat, then what are you? Health groups recommend consuming at least five portions of fruits and vegetables every day to justbe healthy. Yet new research has shown that with our current diet of burgers and french fries, 10 would be better — potentially preventing up to 7.8 million premature death worldwide each year. With that in mind, consider that many adults admit to barely even eating two portions of fresh produce a day; three, if they’re lucky. There is an easy (and convenient) alternative to consider: juicing.

There really is no excuse to poor health. Each action (or inaction) you take is a choice you make. Juicing is a fantastic way to detox your body and ensure you’re getting the necessary vitamins and minerals every day. Fresh juice has the same nutrients as the original fruit or vegetable but the juicing process removes the fibers, making the liquid more concentrated. This makes it easier to digest and easier to absorb into the bloodstream. Consuming your fruits and vegetables this way gives your stomach and intestines a rest. Take note that juicing is different from blending. With the latter, the whole fruit or vegetable (with the pulp) is included, which takes more effort to digest. This means you’ll get fuller faster, so it will take longer to consume the same number of servings.

Juicing 101: How to begin your healing process

Meet the elephant in the room: drinking fruit juices causes a rapid rise in blood sugar. For a healthy person, drinking fresh fruit juice would not really be a problem. However, if you are borderline diabetic or prone to thrush, it may not be such a good idea to shock your body with a sudden diet of fruit juice. Instead, opt for vegetable drinks. Those who also suspect having a yeast infection in their digestive tract should consult with their health professional first before starting their juicing diet.

Juicing is a detox, so expect to have headaches or migraines at the beginning. Your body is getting rid of toxins, and not getting your regular “fix” of coffee or chocolate can be a little painful. During the first few weeks of juicing, your liver and kidneys are working overtime to remove the toxins from your blood. Don’t give up! You will eventually adjust. If the detoxing effects make you feel sick, ease back a little. For example, start by adding just one juice to your diet, allowing the detoxing effects to level off before adding more. You should not go on an all juice (no solid food) diet for long periods of time without first consulting your health care practitioner.

The best time to drink fresh juices is on an empty stomach, or around 30 minutes before a meal. This gives the best absorption rate. Nutritionists recommend drinking fruit juices in the morning and then gradually shifting to vegetable drinks later on in the day.

Remember that juicing should be fun and should be done gradually. A great tip is to start with fruits you actually like. Use common, mild-tasting produce like apples, oranges, and watermelons. Let your stomach become accustomed to the flavor and texture of freshly-made juice. After juicing a few times, start experimenting with various combinations. Gradually insert more leafy greens into the mixture. Vegetable juices are a little bit more bitter, so it will take some time to get used to. Greener veggies have more nutritional value, so try integrating them into your juicing diet. Combine these with other fruits to improve the flavor. An example of a nutrient-dense drink would be an apple-cucumber-carrot beverage. Wellness experts recommend sticking to a carrot and green apple base as these go well with most greens. You can also try adding in a few lemons. Lemon is a superfood that improves the nutrient absorption rate by up to five times. Moreover, the juice helps alkalize the body, improving digestion, and strengthening the gut.

Don’t forget to rotate between fruit and vegetable juices every day! Your body needs an ample supply of essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes to function at its best. Juicing is an ideal option for those who are constantly on the run. Nevertheless, you should take necessary care when beginning this process. Juicing should be a pleasant experience. After drinking the juice, your stomach should be calm and not churning or growling. If this happens, it is your body telling you it’s consuming something it’s not used to. You can condition your stomach by taking the same thing in smaller amounts and then working your way up. Remember to always listen to your body. You will be amazed at how good you feel and how much energy you have when you get those eight to  10 servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

Sources include:

RebootWithJoe.com

Juicing-For-Health.com

NewHealthGuide.org

TheGuardian.com