Food & Nutrition Meal Ideas Healthy Drinks What to Know About Juicing — Plus, 9 Best Juice Recipes to Try Is juicing healthy or just a passing fad? Here's what you need to know, plus the best juice recipes with real health benefits. By Faye Masterson and Jessica Girdwain Updated on September 20, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: JulyProkopiv/Getty Images Juicing isn't a replacement for whole fruits and veggies, of course, but it does help you fit in foods that you might not eat otherwise — such as beets or carrots. And consuming enough produce has its perks. People who consumed five servings of vegetables a day lived nearly three years longer than people who avoided veggies in a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Plus, because the cells in fruits and veggies are broken down by juicing, their nutrients are easier for your body to absorb, says Nicole Cormier, R.D., L.D.N., an intuitive eating nutrition therapist and coauthor of The Everything Juicing Book. But there are downsides. Juicing for health is a time suck, and it can be expensive because you have to buy a ton of fruits and vegetables and shell out extra cash for special equipment. Juicing also leaves chewing to be desired, which is important because solid food is more satiating than liquid, says David Katz, M.D., the founder of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center and author of Disease-Proof. Is Cold-Pressed Juice Good for You, Really? Before you go all in and replace meals with sips, know this about taking juicing for health to the extreme: You're not flushing anything out. No, your body doesn't need a "juice cleanse." Your body runs on an auto-cleanse system that's managed by your kidneys, liver, and intestines, and there's no evidence that juice improves the process. If you feel "lighter," it's probably because you're eliminating junk food, not toxins. You won't see lasting results. You may lose weight, but most of it's likely to be water weight. When you cut calories as you would in a "cleanse," your body gets energy by releasing glycogen, a type of carb that holds on to water. As soon as you stop the cleanse, you gain back any weight lost. Lasting weight loss comes from long-term changes. You might feel as if you have the flu. Fatigue, nausea, insomnia, and headaches are some of the possible side effects of drinking only juice. And if you have a history of eating disorders, a juice fast can trigger a recurrence. 01 of 10 How to Juice for Health — Plus, Recipes to Try Jenner Images/Getty Images That's not to say that juicing for health isn't possible — but it needs to be done in moderation. Just remember: Because juice doesn't contain fat or protein to sustain you long-term, pair it with other foods, such as a slice of whole-grain toast and peanut butter for breakfast or with almonds or string cheese as an afternoon snack. And make it veggie-focused (Dr. Katz advises a ratio of two parts vegetables to one part fruit for just a hint of sweetness) to keep sugar in check. These Dietitian-Approved High-Protein Snacks Will Keep You from Getting Hangry Here, nine fresh (and actually healthy) juice recipes to try. To make each juice, first wash your produce, then simply juice 'em up! 02 of 10 Anti-Aging Juice 5 second Studio/Shutterstock Stress, free radicals, and lack of exercise and sleep can lead to visible aging. Try incorporating antioxidant-packed fruits and veggies to your juices, recommends Patty James, certified natural chef and author of More Vegetables Please! Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups liquid of your choice (water, any kind of milk, or aloe vera juice) 1 cup blueberries 1/2 cup strawberries 1 large leaf kale (thick stem removed) 1/2 medium beet 03 of 10 Aphrodisiac Juice IriGri8/Getty Images While oysters and chocolate are a delicious way to get you and your partner in the mood, they're not so appealing juiced. Thankfully, there are some other libido-boosting foods that are delicious in liquid form, notes James. "Celery contains an ingredient that increases those well-known pheromones in men that send out signals to women saying 'here I am,'" she explains. "Watermelon helps to relax the blood vessels that increase sex drive, and avocados contain a B vitamin said to boost male hormone production," adds James. The Health Benefits of Watermelon That Will Make You Want a Slice Ingredients: 2 cups coconut water or aloe vera juice2 stalks celery1/2 banana1 small piece ginger1/2 avocado1 handful basil3 figs 04 of 10 Energy-Boosting Juice JulyProkopiv/Getty Images Instead of reaching for a caffeinated tea or coffee, try a green juice instead. "Chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants, helps oxygenate the blood, creating increased brain function and physical energy," says Judita Wignall, author of Going Raw. (But coffee does have its perks, so don't cut it out entirely!) Ingredients: 1 large cucumber8 stalks celery1 handful kale1 handful spinach1 handful parsley1/4 lemon (with rind if organic)1-inch piece ginger 05 of 10 Sweet Tooth Juice tataks/Getty Images "Celery juice helps balance out the sweetness of this juice while providing electrolytes and alkalizing minerals, as well as helping to reduce sugar cravings," says Wignall. Also, cinnamon contains compounds that help regulate blood sugar. The ultimate juicing for health equation: Stable blood sugar equals fewer sugar cravings. Ingredients: 2 apples8 stalks celery1 dash cinnamon 06 of 10 Immune-Boosting Juice wmaster890/Getty Images Sip on this to stay well all year. "Broccoli is very high in vitamin C, which increases the production of infection-fighting white blood cells," notes Wigmall. Plus, "garlic contains sulfur-containing compounds that have powerful immune-boosting antimicrobial properties," she adds. These Broccoli Nutrition Facts Prove There's More to the Veggie Than Just Water Ingredients: 1 small beet3 carrots8 stalks celery1 stalk broccoli2 cloves garlic 07 of 10 Hydrating Juice Vitor Marigo/Aurora Photos/Getty Images If you want to try juicing for health without investing in a juicer, try coconut water. It delivers a dose of electrolytes similar to those that balance out your blood. Coconut water is available in many stores and restaurants, or you can make one for yourself. Cut it open and drink the water straight out of the coconut! Everything You Need to Know About Electrolytes — Including the Best Electrolyte Sources Ingredients: 1 young, green coconut 08 of 10 Stress-Relieving Juice Txema_Gerardo/Getty Images When Eat Naked author Margaret Floyd, N.T.P., needs to wind down after a long day, she turns to spinach. "Spinach is high in the amino acid tryptophan, which helps elevate your mood and promotes better sleep," notes Floyd. "It's also high in magnesium, which helps to relax nerves and muscles," she adds. 6 Unconventional Ways to Soothe Sore Muscles Ingredients: 2 large handfuls spinach3 to 4 stalks broccoli3 to 4 stalks celery1 large or 2 small carrots 09 of 10 Digestive Aid Juice Westend61/Getty Images Floyd turns to the well-known digestive aid, papaya, when having stomach issues. The fruit contains papain, an enzyme that helps digest proteins. But it's not the only powerful ingredient in this juice for health recipe. "Ginger relaxes the intestinal tract and reduces gas; also often used to quell nausea," says Floyd. And cabbage helps cleans waste from the stomach and upper bowels, which improves digestion and reduces constipation. Ingredients: 1/2 small papaya3 leaves kale1/8 head cabbage1 thumb-sized piece ginger1 wedge lemon 10 of 10 Cold-Fighting Juice Little_Desire/Shutterstock Eric Helms, the founder of Juice Generation, likes juicing for health during cold season and drinks a 1-ounce "Vital Shot" consisting of ginger, lemon, and cayenne pepper. "Ginger stimulates the digestive system and has long been used as a natural treatment for colds and the flu," says Helms. Cayenne pepper contains a high concentration of beta carotene, which helps rid the body of free radicals that cause cell damage and protects against infection. Finally, the high content of vitamin C in lemon juice can help safeguard your immune system from infection and the common cold, he explains. How to Kick a Cold Lightning Fast Ingredients: 1 ounce organic ginger1 squeeze lemon1 pinch cayenne pepper Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit