Benefits of Drinking Green Juice Daily

I must admit that I was skeptical the first time I heard about green juice. Not because I didn't see the benefit in drinking your daily recommendations of fruits and vegetables, but because I wasn't sure whether I'd be able to make a green juice that was vaguely palatable.

It turns out it's easier than you think. As green juices have become more mainstream and readily available, it's become one of my favorite ways to ensure I get the recommended daily amounts of fruits and vegetables.

If you haven't tried green juice before, read on!

I'll cover what it is when you should drink one for maximum benefit, and then we'll get into some of the benefits of drinking green juice daily (and there are so many!)

What is green juice?

They're a great way to consume several different vegetables in one go, making them really convenient.

And, regarding the nutrients they deliver, they’re incredibly beneficial. In fact, given that it's a single serving, it will be hard to find anything else that delivers this many health-giving benefits.

There are no hard and fast rules about making green juice, but a good rule of thumb if you’re just starting is to go with a ratio of 60% fruit to 40% vegetables and leafy greens – it will taste a lot better this way!

Remember that drinking green juice shouldn't be equated with weight loss; it's more about addressing acidity in the body, which reduces inflammation and will make you feel fantastic.

When should you drink green juice?

It can be difficult to know when to drink green juice since it's neither a meal replacement nor another drink. I've noticed that I get the best benefits when drinking my green juice:

• On an empty stomach, this will allow the nutrients to be absorbed quickly.
• In the morning, think about when you'd usually have your breakfast, then replace it with green juice. You can always have breakfast later if you're still hungry. Remember to drink the green juice an hour before or after your coffee to get all the alkalizing benefits.

Are green juice powders a good replacement?

Yes and no. Supplements or powders will never replace actual food in terms of their health benefits. However, the amount of "green juice" you would need to drink to get the same nutrient density in powders is next to impossible.

Here are some of my top picks for green juice powders:

• Thorne Daily Greens Plus - this greens blend of 28 ingredients, adaptogens, and antioxidants is excellent.
• Metagenics PhytoGanix - another solid choice with over 20 foods, plus an enzyme blend.
• EssentiaGreens by Designs for Health - the most simple option of the three, and mixes incredibly well. 

The 7 most important benefits of drinking green juice daily

Juicing allows for the fast and easy absorption of nutrients, which gives your digestive system a bit of a break. Because it's concentrated, it's also an easier way to eat your greens, and you can consume a lot more produce in a single green juice serving than you would normally eat raw.

Feel free to look at our article on how to make green juices for some amazing ideas!

1. Alkalinity

This is one area that is often overlooked but is going to make a big difference to your overall health. If you regularly feel lethargic or unable to focus, it could be a sign that your body is too acidic.

Research into alkalinity in the body will keep you energized and calm as your physical and mental state comes into balance and will help cleanse the blood, liver, kidneys, and digestive tract (as well as support your organs).

Green juice is one of the best alkalizers, as green vegetables help the body maintain alkalinity, keeping your body within the narrow band of between 7.35pH and 7.45 pH. (Keep this in mind if you've had a big night or have been eating most fast food, which will raise your body's acidity!)

2. Nutrient Absorption

Green juice is ideal if you want to get the most from your fruit and vegetable consumption.

Because the food is already broken down, you've taken a lot of the hard work out of making the nutrients available. This means they get into your bloodstream quicker and help curb cravings because your body has immediate access to everything it needs.

Bioavailability is important as the important nutritional compounds can be easily absorbed, making green juice more effective than other alternatives (such as a multivitamin).

3. Organ Function

Even if you're really careful about what you eat, your body is still exposed to toxins, whether from food or the air you breathe – even the water you drink. And these toxins can put a strain on your internal organs, most noticeably the liver.

Green juices help by supporting healthy liver function as you'll include vegetables such as broccoli, which improve detoxification. They're also lower in sugar compared to other fruit juices, so they don't have as extreme an effect on your glycemic index (which can tax your liver).

Your heart will benefit as the leafy greens in your juice will boost the nitric oxide levels in your body, which is essential for cardiovascular health. The antioxidant benefits of green juice mean that you're protecting yourself against the development of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

4. Gut Health

There's still so much more research to be done on the impact of the gut on your health in all areas, but researchers agree your gut forms the foundation of your health and can help fight arthritis, cancer, and heart disease, as well as boosting immunity and your mood.

Green juice is a powerful support for gut health by providing a source of prebiotic fiber, probiotics, and healthy vegetables with enzymes to lower gut inflammation.

5. Immune Function

Did your mom remind you to eat vegetables so you didn't get sick? Well, it turns out that there's a lot of scientific evidence to back up her claims. For your immune system to function optimally, it needs a steady stream of nutrients, which can be supplied through green juice. Imbalances such as zinc or Vitamin C deficiency can be corrected, which are linked to improved immune function.

You'll also dramatically decrease your risk of developing more serious conditions by getting 10 servings of fruit and vegetables.

6. Energy

Do you often struggle to get out of bed? Are you susceptible to that mid-afternoon slump that has you reaching for a donut when actually all you want to do is climb into bed?

Green juice can turn this around; it provides an instant energy boost and sustains constant energy levels throughout the day by addressing the lack of vitamins and minerals essential to your body's optimal function.

If your body isn't getting the fuel it needs, no wonder you're tired. And the scary thing is, you're not alone: around 90% of Americans aren't getting the recommended daily amounts of fruits and vegetables.

Magnesium is one of the minerals linked to maintaining blood sugar levels, reducing sugar cravings, and improving energy levels. Luckily, the maths works in your favor here because fruits and vegetables are the best sources of magnesium, so green juice means that you're getting an easy-to-absorb efficient mineral source.

7. Skin, Hair, and Nails

Antioxidants, those amazing compounds that prevent the process of oxidation, which impacts cell health, are packed in your green juice courtesy of all those fruits and vegetables.

You've probably heard of them in the context of anti-aging, but the benefits of antioxidants go much further. They're essential for the healthy growth of your hair and nails (along with the vitamins and minerals in your green juice) and can help prevent signs of premature aging.

Consider adding a collagen supplement to your juice mix for an additional boost to your skin, hair, and nails!

In Conclusion

I'm not always completely organized when it comes to drinking green juice every day, so I often end up ordering one from the health café around the corner or using one of the great different green juice powders that are available.

It can take up to a month to see the benefits, but a daily green juice (along with the removal of sugar and refined carbs from my diet) gives me:

• Clear skin - the antioxidants in the green juice immediately work, removing the impurities from my body.
• Energy - it's much easier to get up in the morning, and the mid-afternoon slump that usually makes me want to nap is all but gone.
• Improved digestion - my body feels so much better when given the building blocks that it needs, which means my stomach doesn't get bloated or sore.
• Better concentration - I think it's the fact that green juice helps promote a healthy gut, but I definitely find my mood is much better, and I can focus for longer without getting distracted.

Having dug into the research, it's clear about the benefits of drinking green juice daily, and I encourage everyone to try it!