Introduction

I absolutely love juicing my vegetables, herbs and some low sugar fruits as a holistic approach to keep my skin vibrant. So much so, I am sharing four wonderful juicing recipes you can do at home!

But before we share the recipes, let’s talk juicing and its benefits.

Benefits of Juicing

Juicing provides you with a very concentrated dose of vitamins, antioxidants and minerals, allowing you to increase your daily nutrient intake. This concentrated dose of nutrients includes, B vitamins, vitamin A, C, E, K, antioxidants such a beta carotene, electrolytes and trace minerals like manganese, magnesium, potassium and selenium.

Nutrients That Benefit Skin

Antioxidants

Antioxidants scavenge free radicals, which cause oxidative stress to the body’s cells. Antioxidants stop and prevent this cellular damage. Oxidative stress damages different layers of the skin, and can present as fine lines, wrinkles, skin sagging and dull skin tone.

This is one of the reasons why we load our products Replenish & Glow and Soothing Radiance with antioxidant rich ingredients. It can help mop up that oxidative damage that could be causing those fine lines and wrinkles, redness and dullness. 

Examples of the antioxidants present in juicing foods

1. Beta-carotene - present in carrots and beets

2. Betalains - present in beets (red and golden varieties)

3. Gingerols & Shogals  - present in ginger

4. Flavonoids & phenolic acids - present in celery, cucumber, beets, carrots
   
   

   

Vitamin A

• Vitamin A is a fat-soluble micronutrient. The body lacks the ability to produce vitamin A and therefore must be obtained through diet.

•  There are two types of vitamin A, retinoids and carotenoids which are both converted into retinol by the liver.

• Vitamin A stimulates fibroblasts, which produce collagen. Collagen is a structural protein found in the dermis (middle) layer of the skin barrier. Collagen gives integrity, hydration and strength to the skin.

• Fibroblasts also create elastin, which gives the skin resiliency, firmness, and bounce back.

• Elastin and collagen work together, with collagen allowing the skin’s elastin to stretch without breaking.

•  Vitamin A has antioxidant properties.

Vitamin C

• Vitamin C is necessary for the body to produce collagen.

• Vitamin C has antioxidant properties that scavenge  free radicals and reduces inflammation in the body.

• Chronic inflammation can damage tissue and organs in the body.

Vitamin K

• Vitamin K is fat-soluble vitamin that is famous for its regulation of blood clotting due it’s transportation of calcium around the body. This means that it can likely help minimize bruising and accelerate the repair of damaged skin.

• Vitamin K also holds anti-inflammatory properties, effectively increasing blood circulation and reducing capillary leakage. This means Vitamin K could assist in reducing the appearance of dark circles under the eyes.

• Vitamin K is vital for collagen synthesis. Therefore, by supporting collagen production (that reduces in the body with age), vitamin K can assist in maintaining the skin's firmness.  

Electrolytes

• Consumption of electrolytes can help enhance skin retain moisture, improve skin barrier function, reduce inflammation and increase cell regeneration. 
  
  
• Some common electrolytes find in juicing vegetables/fruits include: sodium, magnesium, and potassium. 

 Juicing Tips

• Buy organic if you can, this can help reduce pesticide consumption, especially because when you juice, nutrients AND pesticides become more concentrated.

• If you purchased organic, leave the skin of the cucumbers and carrots on when juicing. They hold a lot of precious nutrients you do not want to lose!

• Wash your vegetables with baking soda and vinegar, food-grade hydrogen peroxide or vegetable/fruit soap to remove any impurities that may be on the fruit and/or vegetables.

FOUR RECIPES

RECIPE 1 - High in vitamin C, K, electrolytes and antioxidants

• 4 sticks celery

• ½ cucumber

• 3cm chunk of ginger or turmeric (peeled)

RECIPE 2 - High in vitamin A, C, K, beta-carotene and electrolytes

• 1-2 carrots

• ½ cucumber

• 3-4 sticks of celery

RECIPE 3 - Rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, K and electrolytes 

• ½ green apple

• ½ cucumber

• 2 sticks celery

• 3cm chunk ginger (peeled)

RECIPE 4 -Very high in antioxidants, high in vitamin C, K, and electrolytes

• ½ a beet

• ½ cucumber

• 3 sticks of celery

• ½ chunk ginger