Juicing: How Healthy Is It?

As part of a balanced diet, juicing can be pose incredible health benefits. For starters, 95% of vitamins and enzymes our bodies need are found in the juice of raw fruits and vegetables. Juicing not only strengthens the immune system, but facilitates weight loss, increases energy levels, and reduces the risk of heart disease. Many people who incorporate juicing into their diet also report healthier, more radiant skin. 

But where do you start? How do you know which Juicer is best for you? 

To maintain optimal health benefits, it is wise to choose a juicer that retains the valuable nutrients found in raw fruits and vegetables. Many juice extractors on the market today chop, shred, and strain; a method that generates low yield and wastes much of the valuable nutrients found in food. The Life Juicer, from Viatek utilizes a masticating and pressing method of extraction, much like that employed by wine makers for thousands of years. 

Known as a "slow juicer", the Life Juicer operates at only 80 RPMs and actually releases more vitamins, minerals, enzymes and photonutrients than conventional juicers that rip and tear through foods at 10,000 RPMs and suck up to 1,500 watts of power. However, names can be deceiving as it actually juices more quickly than high-speed models, eliminates oxidation and separation and expels a dryer pulp for less waste! 

What can you juice?

• Fruit  (berries, bananas, oranges, lemons, apples, pears, mangoes) 
• Vegetables (Carrots, celery, cucumbers, broccoli)
• Soybeans
• Wheatgrass
• Leafy greens such as spinach and kale 

*Don't be afraid to garnish! According to Darya Rose, a food and health writer, and creator of SummerTomato.com, "A small amount of  a strong flavored item such as ginger, lemon, or mint, can make your juice a real pleasure to drink while adding highly concentrated antioxidants. 

*Balance juice out with protein (almond milk, Greek yogurt, flax seed, or peanut butter) 

Juicing Tips For an Optimal Juicing Experience

1. According to Raw-foods-diet-center.com, Go fresh, go organic. If you can, choose fresh organic vegetables and fruits for your vegetable juicing recipes. Fresh means more nutritional value and tastier juices, and organic means healthier drinks as these weren't sprayed with chemical pesticides. 
2. Leave the skins on your vegetables. Most of the nutritional value found in vegetables is in the skins. 
3. Vary your ingredients. Don't be afraid to get creative with a variety of vegetables and leafy greens. Add a fruit such as a pear to add a bit of sweetness to the concoction. 
4. Drink your juice on an empty stomach. The best time to drink juice is on an empty stomach or an hour before a meal. This maximizes the amount of nutrients absorbed into the body. 

For more information on the Life Juicer from Viatek Consumer Products Group, please visit: 

www.mylifejuicer.com