Health Benefits of Juice

There are many health benefits of juice!

The types of juices I'll explain below are not your typical grape and orange juices!  Many juices at your local grocery store can be good for you, but most are loaded with sugar and not many contain 100% juice.

Sea Buckthorn Fruit (Hippophae rhamnoides):  Has been specifically studied for its contribution to the maintenance of healthy cholesterol levels. In addition, its wealth of nutrients contributes to digestive health.

 
Sea buckthorn is a medium-sized, thorny shrub indigenous to Asian and European countries. For over a thousand years its leaves, flowers, seeds and fruits have been used to support health. Sea buckthorn fruit (berries) are a rich source of nutrients and phytochemicals. They also contain healthy carotenoids and flavonoids, including beta-carotene, gamma-carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin, and quercetin.* 

Sea buckthorn has been shown to have powerful antioxidant activity believed to be attributable to its high flavonoid C content. Research appears to support its ability to help maintain normal C - reactive protein (CRP) levels. Additionally, sea buckthorn has been shown to help maintain normal cholesterol levels, cardiac function and platelet activity. Recent animal studies seem to support a possible use of sea buckthorn oil to help maintain healthy weight. Through powerful antioxidants, sea buckthorn fights to control free radicals.*    

Prickly Pear Fruit (Opuntia ficus-indica)The Opuntia ficus-indica cactus, also known as prickly pear or nopal, is believed to have originated in Mexico though it is now found in many arid and semi-arid regions. Though the leaves, flowers and stems are often used as either a dietary supplement or food source, it is the fruit that is most valued. This fruit, sometimes referred to as ‘tuna’, is often eaten as is, made into jams and jellies, or used for the production of alcoholic beverages. Traditionally, prickly pear has been used to promote health.* 

Prickly pear is a good source of flavonols, such as quercetin, amino acids and more. Other health benefits of juice are that they are high in the betalain pigments indicaxanthin and betanin, which give the fruit its yellow, red or white coloring. These pigments have been shown to have considerable antioxidant capabilities and are believed to play an important role in prickly pear's free radical scavenging abilities. Prickly pear fruit ingestion appears to support healthy platelet activity. It also seems to help maintain normal levels of C-reactive protein. Recent studies show that supplementing with prickly pear fruit can help to control occasional water weight gain without affecting electrolyte status. It has also been shown to help maintain healthy weight.* Cacti-Nea™ is a trademarked version of the prickly pear water extract and has organic certification. This specific ingredient has been clinically-researched, and proven effective for its antioxidant and diuretic capabilities.
 

Two high quality juices in one!

Pomegranate.  Pomegranates are rich in tannins and anthocyanins, potent antioxidant compounds.  A recent study using a human skin model system demonstrated that pomegranate products (an extract, a juice, and a pomegranate oil) reduced the ability of UV light to increase multiple enzymes responsible for the breakdown of the skin’s foundation proteins [10].

As you can see, there are tremendous health benefits of juice, and you should be incorporating a high quality juice product in your daily regimen!

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