An Anti-inflammatory Green Juice You Will Adore
The topic of inflammation has become more and more regular over the years, as people have started to really consider their health and understand that living in discomfort is not actually normal. Many people are dropping gluten, sugar and even alcohol from their diets and leaning more towards an anti-inflammatory diet.
But there are many ways for you to take control of your health without having to do too much, such as making this delicious green juice every day.
Below we share some of the benefits of each ingredient we’ve included in this recipe, which will also tell you why we’ve chosen them.
What is an anti-inflammatory diet?
An anti-inflammatory diet is a diet that focuses on foods that help to reduce inflammation. It isn’t a short-lived fad that you’ll find advertised to help you lose weight, it’s an actual lifestyle choice that many people have to embrace for their own well-being. This type of diet can be helpful for people who have conditions that are caused by inflammation, such as arthritis, Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and asthma. The anti-inflammatory diet is also beneficial for people who are trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, because it helps to control inflammation in the body.
There are many different foods that can help to reduce inflammation, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. It is important to include a variety of these foods in your diet in order to get the most benefit from an anti-inflammatory diet. Some good examples of anti-inflammatory foods include berries, leafy green vegetables, salmon, nuts, and olive oil. These foods are high in antioxidants and other phytonutrients that help to reduce inflammation.
Read more about anti-inflammatory foods here.
Eating foods that decrease inflammation is great, but it is also important to avoid foods that can contribute to inflammation in the body. Foods that contain gluten, sugars, saturated and trans fats (found in fast food,margarine) are good to avoid.
Of course not all fats are bad for you, but they are known to lead to bad cholesterol and should be eaten in moderation.
The recipe for this anti-inflammatory green juice are all proven to assist in decreasing inflammation. These anti-inflammatory foods are incredible by themselves, but even better together.
Key Ingredients
In this green juice recipe we’ve put together a few key ingredients that are great when it comes to managing inflammation.
Celery may help with arthritis and osteoporosis due to its high content of flavonoids, which are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, celery is a good source of vitamin C, which is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties. If you are looking for a natural way to reduce inflammation, adding celery to your diet may be a good option.
Believe it or not, but cucumbers actually have some powerful nutritional benefits. They are high in antioxidants, which we want for fighting inflammation, and contain many important vitamins and minerals that we need. They don’t taste like much so they’re easy to add in to juices and smoothie, because you really just need them for the nutrition.
Pineapples are packed with nutrients that are beneficial for the body, including antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients work together to help reduce inflammation and improve overall health. In addition, pineapples contain bromelain, an enzyme that helps to break down proteins and reduce swelling. This makes pineapples a great choice for people who suffer from chronic inflammation.
Apples have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help with inflammation throughout the body. One study showed that participants who ate an apple a day had lower levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation. Additionally, apples are high in antioxidants, which can also help reduce inflammation.
Spinach is an anti-inflammatory powerhouse, providing major benefits for those suffering from inflammation. A single cup of cooked spinach provides more than 10 percent of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that helps to fight inflammation. Additionally, spinach is a good source of magnesium and potassium, both minerals that can help to reduce inflammation.
Lemons hold a whole host of beneficial properties that we often overlook, or just don’t know about. Maybe it’s because we don’t particularly want to be eating sour food every day. But lemons have been found to help hydrate the body, boost your immune system (they are high in vitamin C), and to fight inflammation.
Honey is a natural anti-inflammatory that can help reduce swelling and pain. It also has antibacterial and antifungal properties, which can help speed healing. Honey has been shown to help with inflammation of the gut, joint pain, and even skin conditions. In addition, honey is a great source of antioxidants, which can help fight free radicals that contribute to inflammation.
Ginger and turmeric are both roots from the rhizome family. Both have been used for centuries as spices and medicine. Turmeric's main compound is curcumin which is the source of most of its powerful properties. Whereas ginger has the compound, gingerol. Both gingerol and curcumin have anti-inflammatory properties, and carry antioxidants. They also add a nice kick to your drink!
Anti-Inflammatory Green Juice: Serves 2
INGREDIENTS
4 celery stalks
½ cucumber
1 cup chopped pineapple
1 sliced green apple
1 cup spinach
1/4 lemon
1 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp grated ginger
1 tsp Organic turmeric
INSTRUCTIONS
1.First, wash all your fresh vegetables.
- Add all the chopped ingredients to your juicer, or blender. If you use a blender you’ll end up with a lot of the fibers still in the mixture, but you can strain the juice.
- This drink is best served chilled, and first thing in the morning. It is also a good pick-me-up before a workout.
Of course you can switch up some of the ingredients and adjust quantities depending on what you have and your personal preferences.
Bananas are another great option, especially for smoothies. They are a great source of dietary potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C. They also contain dietary fiber and small amounts of vitamin B6 and B12. All of these nutrients contribute to the many health benefits of bananas. Bananas have been shown to be anti-inflammatory, help regulate blood sugar levels, and improve digestion. Bananas are also a good way to make your smoothie nice and creamy.
If you are suffering from any severe pain or discomfort, or if you’re on any medication, please check with your medical practitioner before consuming this drink. Turmeric and ginger are wonderful tools, but they can affect how medication is processed in your body and may lead to blood thinning or clotting.
Written by Caryn Mackenzie on behalf of Turmeric Zone