Phytochemicals are health promoting substances that are found in plants. They act as antioxidants in plants protecting them from the oxidative effects of free radicals found in UV light (and now pollution). Phytochemicals also protect plants form disease by protecting them from pathogens like bacteria and viruses.

The good news is that when we eat phytochemical rich fruits and plants they also help to protect us from diseases like cancer, heart disease and more.

Beta-carotene
Beta-carotene is found abundantly in carrots and other orange colored fruits and vegetables like yams and papaya. Beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A  in the body, a vitamin that is essential for eye health. Vitamin A deficiency will lead to night blindness and eventually complete blindness.

Lycopene
Lycopene is a red based plant pigment that puts the vibrant color in tomatoes and red peppers. It is a powerful antioxidant with notable anti-cancer properties. Areas in the world where they eat tomatoes daily have a considerable less risk of developing cancers. Particularly cancers of the lung, prostate and stomach.

Resveratrol
Also a red colored plant pigment, resveratrol is a key ingredient of the famous heart healthy properties of red wine. Resveratrol is found most abundantly in red grapes, but blueberries and cranberries are also a source. Two recent research studies found that resveratrol supplementation could greatly increase the elasticity of arteries, consequently lowering blood pressure levels in participants with hypertension. More elasticated arteries also help to protect us from developing atherosclerosis – the #1 contributer to heart disease.

Juicing Benefits
The benefits of juicing phytochemicals is that you can provide yourself with a copius amount of them. For example, carrots are a rich source of beta-carotene, but you would never eat 8 of them in one sitting. However, about 8 carrots is the amount you would need to make just one glass of juice and this is done easily with fruit juicers! This will provide you with considerably more beta-carotene than eating one carrot.

Breakfast Juice Recipes #1
1 orange
1 pink grapefruit

Breakfast Juice Recipes #2
3 oranges
3 pears

Green Juice Recipes #1
A handful of kale
A handful of spinach
1 green apple

Green Juice Recipe  #2
1/2 cucumber
2 celery stalks
A handful of parsley
4 carrots

Fruit  Juice Recipes #1
4 cups of red grapes
1 cup of blueberries

Fruit Juice recipes #2
2 cups of blueberries
1 cup of blackberries
1 cup of raspberries

Vegetable Juice Recipes #1
8 carrots
1 celery stalk

Vegetable Juice Recipes #2
1 cucumber
1 carrot
1 green apple
1/4 cup of parsley
1/4 cup of mint
1/2 inch of fresh ginger
1/2 lemon (peeled)
Brinton Edwards