JOIN USGood health and beauty are two sides of the same coin. The good health of the body reflects on the skin and hair in terms of clear, flawless skin and thick, shiny hair. Diet and nutrition play a crucial role in both, health and beauty.
One of the easiest ways of supplying nutrients to the body is through fresh juices of fruits and vegetables. They are the richest sources of vitamins, minerals, trace elements and enzymes. Juices are quickly and easily assimilated by the body, as they can be easily absorbed into the blood stream.
Counting the reasons
Being rich in essential nutrients, juices revitalise the blood, organs and glands. They also have a calming effect on the nerves. Thus, they benefit the mind and body. They also help the process of cell-regeneration. This is of vital importance, as the beauty of the skin depends on the efficient renewal of healthy cells. Drinking fresh juices on a regular basis also helps strengthen the immune system and prevents early degeneration and ageing.
Juices have long been a part of naturopathy because of their powerful cleansing and curative actions. They help cleanse the body of toxins and wastes, as well as purify the blood. The functions of the internal organs and glands improve and this, in turn, is reflected externally, on the skin, hair, eyes and nails.
The health of the skin and hair is directly related to the kind of nutrition the body receives. A balanced diet, which includes a variety of natural foods, is the best source of the essential nutrients. Fluids are also extremely important. Apart from adequate intake of water, one must also have the freshly extracted juices of fruits and vegetables, especially during busy times like the festive season. It also helps to detoxify and purify the system.
If the body receives adequate amounts of vitamins, minerals and enzymes, it can make you look and feel better than after experiencing the most expensive facial treatments. Vitamin C is important for the health of collagen, the tissue which gives the skin its firmness and elasticity. Most skin problems and even hair loss can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, or the accumulation of wastes in the system and both these are the result of faulty diets.
Doing it right
Juices can be extracted from almost all fruits and vegetables. Think apples, grapes, oranges, grapefruit, pine-apple, pomegranate, beetroot, carrots, cucumber, tomato, spinach, cabbage and so on. Start by taking small quantities and increase the amounts gradually. Once your body gets used to it, you can have the juices daily.
It is essential to remember that juices must be diluted with water. Also, they should always be taken fresh, immediately after extraction, so that all the nutrients are intact. You need to ensure that the fruits and vegetables are fresh. The containers in which the juices are poured into or served must not be made of aluminium or any corrosive material.
Lemon juice or orange juice may be added for flavour, but try to avoid the addition of salt and sugar. In fact, without sugar, juices can make for ideal low-calorie drinks — perfect for those looking to shed a few kilos. In case you are on some diet restriction, be sure to seek your physician’s advice regarding the fruits and vegetables that are permitted for you.
Of late, cold-pressed juices are becoming quite popular in India. Unlike in a
conventional juicer where the fruits and veggies are sliced and then blended, in a cold-press juicer, the fruits and vegetables are “pressed” such that the maximum amount of nectar is extracted from the pulp and fibre, leaving a raw and fresh juice.
In other words, cold-pressed juices are believed to contain more vitamins,
minerals and enzymes than the regular ones. They help detoxify the body and make the system more alkaline.
For starters, you can combine some cucumber with celery and lemon for a breezy drink that’s high on minerals to help cleanse the system. Or, how about some bottle gourd with tomato and carrots? Once you get the hang of it, almost any fruit or vegetable can make for an appetising drink.
Try throwing in some vanilla beans, aloe vera or amla in the juicer. For the perfect green swig, all you need to do is juice some spinach, mint, parsley, celery, cucumber, lemon juice and fresh ginger.
(The author is a beauty expert)