Your Liver’s BFF Beet Juice
Juicing is trendy, and for good reasons – it's a delicious and convenient way to supercharge your nutrient intake. Juicing provides a concentrated source of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can be easily absorbed by the body. It's also a fantastic strategy to use up surplus veggies, and helps prevent food waste.
However, it's important to approach juicing with a realistic mindset. While fresh juices offer a nutrient boost, they are not a miracle cure. Juicing should complement a well-rounded diet, not replace it. Whole fruits and vegetables provide crucial fiber that is sometimes lost in the juicing process. Additionally, moderation is key, as excessive consumption of fruit juices, which can be high in natural sugars, should be considered.
Below is one of my favourite recipes for incorporating beets into my diet!
Keep reading to learn about the magical properties of the humble beetroot.
Recipe
Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1-2 servings
Ingredients
1 medium-sized beetroot, washed and peeled
1 apple, cored and sliced (choose a sweet variety for balance)
1-2 inches of fresh ginger, peeled
2 stalks of celery, washed
1 small lemon, peeled and segmented
2 cups of cold water
Ice cubes (optional)
Directions
Prep the Ingredients:
Wash, peel, and chop the beetroot into smaller chunks.
Core and slice the apple.
Peel and chop the ginger.
Wash the celery stalks and cut them into manageable pieces.
If using lemon, peel and segment it.
Juicing:
Add ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
Strain (Optional):
If you prefer a smoother juice, you can strain the mixture using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove pulp. This step is optional, as some enjoy the added fiber.
Chill and Serve:
Pour the juice into glasses over ice cubes if desired.
Refrigerate for a bit to chill the juice before serving and enjoy within 24 hours.
If you’ve made extra, pop in the freezer to enjoy later. I sometimes freeze in small “juice shot” containers and add to my breakfast for a nutrient boost.
– Magical Properties –
The humble beetroot.
Often underestimated, beets boast a powerhouse of health benefits, especially when it comes to supporting liver function. The betaine, found in beets, has been linked to reducing fat accumulation in the liver, making them a natural ally in the battle against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The antioxidant in beets that give its signature colour, betalains, may help to support your liver’s detoxification processes by assisting in the removal of toxins and waste products from the liver and the entire body.
Eat more beets, baby!
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