Benefits of Juicing Carrot, Spinach and Beetroot

With so many superfoods on the market we thought we would spotlight some of the old and often forgotten about vegetables that are actually worthy of the superfood title. We are talking about carrots, spinach and beetroot. All inexpensive and readily available in the supermarket. These are the true heroes of the vegetable world.

All three are loaded with important vitamins and enzymes that are crucial in supporting a healthy body. 

Vitamins & Enzymes  

First, let's go over the basics on what are vitamins and enzymes. Vitamins are essential to life. They contribute to optimum health by regulating the metabolism and assisting the digestive processes, as well as releasing energy from digested food. They are classified as "micro-nutrients" as our body only requires a small amount in comparison to other nutrients such as proteins, fats, carbs and water. 

Enzymes are the essential chemicals which form the foundation of all human bodily functions. They actively work within the chemical reactions that are continually taking place in the body.  Vitamins work with the enzymes allowing all the activities which occur within the body to be carried out as they should be. 

Incorporating carrots, beetroot and spinach into your diet will result in a range of different benefits. And, don't just take our word for it, this has all been backed by government funded trials in medical research centres and universities nationwide.

Carrots

Carrots are a fantastic source of several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, B6 and K, biotin and potassium. They were originally grown domestically for their leaves and seeds instead of the orange root vegetable that we use today. 

Do carrots actually help you see in the dark? Not exactly, but they do assist with strengthening various areas of your eyes. Their rich beta-carotene content is converted into vitamin A upon consumption. This helps protect eyes against certain progressive diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

Using a cold press juicer, such as the MOD Cold Press Juicer, to juice carrots will make it easier to consume large quantities of the vegetable without compromising the nutritional integrity of the vegetable. One cup of juice is equivalent to about 6 carrots so by juicing half a bag of carrots you are getting a healthy dose of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium, along with vitamins A, B, B2, B6, C, and E without having to eat your way through an enormous pile of carrot sticks. 

Spinach 

Did you know that a single serving of spinach juiced in your MOD Cold Press will provide you with 100% of your recommended daily vitamin K intake. Spinach is also packed with calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, carotene, amino acids, iron, iodine and vitamins A, B, C, E and K. Despite containing such a wide range of vitamins and minerals, one glass contains just 28 calories meaning you can load up on all this goodness without feeling weighed down.

There was a reason Popeye was such a fan of spinach. The iron content of spinach is almost double the amount found in other vegetables. All of it's wonderful nutrients assist in the creation of red blood cells. Red blood cells prevent anaemia and the high alkalinity of spinach also provides relief from rheumatoid arthritis. One of the most effective benefits of spinach juice is that it combats high blood pressure.

Spinach juice on its own has a distinctive, grassy flavour. Try mixing it with carrots, celery, ginger, lemon or apple to create a delicious, easy to drink juice. 

Beetroot 

Beetroot is high in both vitamins C and B6, folate, manganese, betalin and potassium.

In the same family as spinach, they were originally valued for the leaves instead of the root. The leaves hold both nutritional and therapeutic value and was used as medicine instead of food in ancient cultures.

Beetroots are rich in nitrates, a natural chemical. Through a chain reaction that happens in the body, nitrates are changed into nitric oxide which assist with blood pressure and blood flow. Betalin is what gives beets the red pigmentation. Betalains have a wide range of biological activities with potential health benefits, including reducing inflammation, protecting the liver and have anticancer and antioxidant properties.

Cancer patients, in the 1950s, who had already undergone chemotherapy and radiation and were considered to be in the final stages of the disease were advised to ingest raw beetroot juice to help remedy their cancer.

Later research using raw beetroot juice has had positive results. It has now been found that the raw juice can help fight against both cancerous tumours and leukemia. In a recent clinical trial, 22 patients with advanced inoperable cancers were given 10 ounces of beetroot juice for 3-4 months and presented dramatic improvements in their condition.

John Hunter Hospital along with The University of Newcastle are collaborating in a study that looks at whether beetroot juice can act as a cardio aid, in particular, examining its effect on exercise performance among obese people. Funded by a Heart Foundation Vanguard Grant, it is believed that the abundance of nitrate found in beetroot juice will metabolise into nitric oxide, aiding in the health of the lining of blood vessels. 

To get the most out of beetroot nutritionally, it is best consumed raw in liquid form. The raw juice is a fantastic detox drink which helps your liver to rid itself of any damaging toxins as well as stimulating liver cells, preventing a build up of fatty acids. Though beetroot juice is surprisingly sweet, some can be put off by its earthy tones. Therefore, combining it with other produce such as ginger, carrots, lemon or apple will help to create a more mild flavour. Like anything, your taste buds are amazing at adjusting and over time your palate will start to enjoy the earthier notes of beetroot juice. 

Running beetroot, carrots and spinach through the MOD Cold Press Juicer means you are extracting maximum benefit from these veggies. The MOD Cold Press Juicer extract double the juice of traditional juicers, they also produce double the nutrients you receive, in the form of these vitamins and enzymes discussed above. 

 So, get out our MOD Cold Press and try out the below combination next time you are juicing!