Everybody vaguely knows that apple juice benefits exist. After all, we’ve all grown to see this common fruit as a symbol of a healthy snack.
There’s even sayings around it. Like, do you know why they say, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”? It’s because “an apple a day keeps the doctor, oncologist, cardiologist, proctologist and nutritionist away” was too long.
Whether it’s Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Gala or Fuji (and it may very well not be – there are currently 2,500 apple varieties grown worldwide!) – good ole’ apples are packing some serious health benefits.
These crunchy yummers are a very versatile fruit originating from Asia that we’re all super familiar with – wherever in this great big world we live in.
But what most of us aren’t as well aware of are the myriad health perks that apples provide. For example – did you know that these delish fruits are high in potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins A and C?
Not to mention that the compounds found mostly in and just under the skin contain anti-oxidants, cancer fighting and anti-inflammatory properties (another reason to leave the peels on when you juice!)
Yes, I know I often pooh pooh getting too much sugar from juicing fruits, but adding a slice or two of apple is an awesomely convenient – and healthy – way to sweeten a mostly-veggie juice recipe and get a host of health benefits as well.
Fresh Apple Juice or Raw Apples?
Many people prefer to drink apple juice rather than eat a raw apple. Both of these methods have the same nutritional value if the juice is raw (minus the fiber). Commercially available apple juice generally contains preservatives that cut down the nutritional value of apples.
When juicing any fresh produce, the product pulverized in a slow juicer machine has the driest pulp (gets all the good stuff out!) and consequently more nutritional significance.
But whether you choose to eat your apples raw or add them to your juices for their sweetness – rest assured that each apple carries a significant load of health benefits, such as…
7 Awesome Apple Juice Benefits
Asthma Management: Apple’s effects on asthma may be linked to their high level of bioflavonoids like quercetin. It possesses powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine properties. Studies also indicate that the bioflavonoids and phenolic acids help relieve airway swelling, further helping to alleviate asthma symptoms.
Liver Health: Destructive waste and toxins are cleansed by the alkalinity of apples. It also helps maintain proper pH levels in the body, which is crucial for optimal health. The malic acid in apple juice enables the opening of bile ducts that course through the liver. All these reasons make apples a great food to keep the liver healthy.
It’s not just the liver, either – apple juice is a main component of the Gallbladder Miracle Cleanse (which is amazing, by the way, if you have gallstones). The malic acid in apple juice softens the gallstones and makes them easier to pass.
Muscle Relaxation: Apples are very rich in malic acid. Malic acid improves muscle strength, performance and recovery after exercise. It restores energy to the body and encourages mental altertness. Apples will also restock vitamins and minerals, making it an awesome food to juice after workouts.
Arterial Health: The vitamin C in apple juice prevents the hardening of arteries. Apples also contain pectin, a soluble fiber. Studies have shown that pectin slows atherosclerosis and arterial clogs.
Boost Skin Health: Apple juice is commonly used for treating skin inflammation, cracking, wrinkles and itching. It is also used for scalp health, preventing dandruff and other conditions. The antioxidants and fiber in apples help with skin elasticity and the vitamins and minerals in apples help with the prevention of skin diseases caused by deficiencies.
Bowel Movements: Consuming a mixture of apple and carrot or spinach juice eases constipation since apples are a very gentle, natural laxative. In general, a bowel movement can be anticipated within 24 hours.
Pectin, a gel-forming fiber in the apple, will improve the intestine’s ability to push waste through its system. A healthy functioning bowel means a decreased chance of colon cancer or hemorrhoids. Yet another reason to add some of that apple fiber back into your juices or mix them into your smoothies!
Blood Sugar: Green apples help diabetics avoid spikes in their blood sugar. Flavonoids can hinder enzymes that are involved in the deconstruction of carbohydrates into sugars. Also, polyphenols found in apples lessen the absorption of glucose. This stimulates the insulin receptors causing an increase in glucose uptake from the blood.
What’s the Best Apple Juice Recipe?
The best thing about apples is that they play nice with just about every other piece of produce – making it an ideal fruit to add a bit of sweetness to any juice recipe!
But to get you started, here are a few of our favorite apple juice recipes!
The Energizer Bunny
Here’s a super simple, 3-ingredient apple juice recipe that’s unlike anything you’ve ever tried. Featuring the stamina-increasing, energy-boosting ginseng, this juice recipe will have you going strong throughout your day.
No to mention, it’s delicious.
Simple Green Juice for Newbies
Here’s a wonderfully yummy green juice recipe for beginners featuring, you guessed it – apples. As well as a whole bunch of goodness for your body, skin and mouth:
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 apple
- ½ cucumber
- 1 lemon (peeled)
- 1 inch ginger
- optional: coconut water
When you first get started green juicing, apples are going to be your best friend since they quickly sweeten up any juice recipe, don’t rot quickly and are easy to find no matter what part of the world you’re in.
They’re the perfect sweet sidekick to leafy greens until you fully initiate your tastebuds to the lovely taste of green-ness!
Soothing Green Lemonade
An absolutely delicious green juice recipe that’s more than gentle enough for juicing newbies – this yummy concoction hydrates, refreshes, boosts immunity and balances you from the inside out.
Spicy Orange Cleanse Juice
You know those times when your body just feels…gross? Maybe you had a rough week. Or maybe you pigged out a little too much on greasy, fatty foods. Or maybe you’re just hungover.
Whatever it is, there’s a juice recipe to deep clean all the gunk straight out. And it’s easy, too:
- 3 apples
- 2 lemons (peeled)
- 2 to 4 inches knob fresh ginger
- 2 inches knob fresh turmeric
Note: This juice recipe is a bit strong and can be a little too much, especially if you’re new to juicing. So feel free to half the ginger and turmeric amounts and dilute with water (or cucumbers!)
Meta Metabolism Booster
When you’re weight loss regimen can use a serious kick in the pants, this is the juice recipe to go for. Despite its whopping load of vitamins, minerals and health benefits – it’s surprisingly delicious, too, thanks to the sweet duo of apple and pineapple.
Tips for Juicing Apples
- Green apples are better for juicing. This is due to their enzymes and suitability for diabetics.
- Storing spoiled or damaged apples with good ones will make the good ones spoil faster. Spoiled apples product ethylene gas. Talk about a bad apple!
- Simply spritz some lemon juice onto cut up or juiced apples to slow down the oxidation that causes browning and spoilage.
- Apple seeds contain small amounts of cyanide, but it’s nothing to really worry about if you’re only juicing an apple a day – a person would need to consume over 80 apple seeds per day in order for it to negatively impact their health.
- Purchasing organic apples avoids dealing with the wax base that other grocery store apples have. In order to remove it, follow this simple apple cleansing method.
