Vegetable Juices

Beetroot. Beetroot juice has a strong taste and a dark, red colour and is usually mixed with other juices such as carrot, cucumber, apple or celery. It is an excellent all-round ionic and blood and kidney cleanser, as are the green beetroot leaves, if you can get bold of them. Cooked beetroots can he used for juicing, but raw are far belter. Beetroot juice is rich in vitamins B1, B2, B6 and folic acid (part of the B group), and the minerals calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium. sodium and zinc.

Carrot. The thick, bright orange juice of carrots is a mainstay of mixed vegetable juices, as its sweetness combines well with other varieties of juice. Drunk on Its own it has a slightly spicy taste and is delicious with a few sprigs of fresh chopped herbs. It is renowned for its ability 10 cleanse the liver of excess fats, and can aid digestion. Carrot juice is very high in beta-carotene, particularly so in more mature carrots, and rich in the minerals calcium and magnesium.

Celery. Celery juice has a slightly salty taste due to its high sodium content, and is more watery than other juices. It is known to have a calming effect on the nervous system, and reduces cravings for sweet foods, both of which are beneficial during a detox plan. Celery juke also has a diuretic effect and helps tackle fluid retention. It is especially rich in the minerals sodium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, chlorine and calcium.

Cucumber. Cucumber juice has a mild diuretic effect which can help reduce fluid retention. Because it is so watery ii makes an excellent mixer for thicker, more concentrated juices, such as beetroot spinach and watercress. Cucumber is high in the minerals potassium, chlorine, sulphur and calcium, and moderately high in the vitamin folic acid (part of the B group vitamins).

Spinach. Spinach juice is chock-full of vitamins, minerals and chlorophyll. As a result it is an extremely effective cleansing and strengthening ionic, particularly for the liver, me gall bladder, and the bloodstream. Because it is so concentrated and strong to the taste, spinach juice is mixed with other juices or drunk sparingly. You should not drink more than a couple of spinach juice cocktails each week, because it also contains oxalic acid, which can prevent the mineral calcium from being absorbed. Spinach is especially rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6, folic acid (pan of the B group of vitamins), beta-carotene, and the minerals calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium and sodium.