12 Benefits of Green Juice: And Downsides to Be Aware Of

Are you excited about feeling and looking your absolute best into your golden years and making sure your little ones are super healthy too?

We know that the road to perfect health can sometimes be a bit tough, especially on those days when your kids are home sick, you’re dealing with extreme exhaustion, when you just don't feel like the best version of yourself, or honestly, you are just tapped out and want to call in a food order.

But guess what? I'm pumped to share with you the secret to health, the benefits of green juice! Trust me, adding this to your daily or weekly routine packs a punch when it comes to health benefits that will get you super excited and into your wellness journey.

12 Benefits of Green Juice

1. Powerhouse of Nutrients: Green juice is a treasure trove of essential vitamins and minerals that your cells need to function optimally. Bursting with vitamins A, C, and K, it's a little magic potion that boosts your immunity (which is NEEDED for those kid germs that seem to get passes around to every person in the home), and keeps your skin glowing (hellooo 30’s and 40’s skin imperfections that become noticeable overnight, right?). And let's not forget the iron, calcium, and magnesium it contains - these minerals are absolute stars when it comes to bone health, muscle activity, and oxygen transportation in our bodies…which may seen boring now but ladies, as we age this is going to be KEY to being that active mom and grandma!

2. Optimal Wellness: The naturally occurring enzymes in green juice can give your digestive system a little upgrade, helping it to absorb nutrients more efficiently. And you know what that means - sharper cognition, improved mood, and a wave of energy that keeps you buzzing all day! A must for all working mom and stay at home mamas!

3. Energy Boost: If you're not a morning person, starting your day with a glass of green juice could be a game-changer. It's like a caffeine-free, crash-proof energy boost that lasts all day. It's not just the natural sugars in green juice that keep your energy levels steady - the B-vitamins are also significant players in energy production, helping you kick start your day on a high note.

4. Boosts Focus: Ever had one of those days where you just can't seem to concentrate? A glass of green juice might just be what you need! Its nutrient-rich composition is a blessing for our brains, improving mental clarity and focus. The vitamins and minerals in green vegetables are essential for brain health and cognitive function, helping us stay sharp and remember things better (like the bajillion kids activities and birthday parties on the calendar).

5. Maintaining a Healthy Weight: If you're trying to maintain a healthy weight, green juice could be your new best friend. It's low in calories but packed with essential nutrients - the perfect addition to a balanced diet. Plus, green juice can give your metabolism a little boost, which is super handy for weight loss.

6. Say Hello to Healthier Skin: With all those vitamins and antioxidants, green juice is like a magic potion for your skin. Vitamin A, for instance, helps in growing healthy tissues, including skin and hair. Vitamin C pitches in by maintaining collagen, which gives structure to our skin. And let's not forget about antioxidants, they're the superheroes fighting off free radicals that cause wrinkles and other signs of aging. Glowing skin truly starts within as cheesy as that may sound!

7. Detox Your Body Naturally: Green juices are loaded with chlorophyll, the pigment that gives plants their vibrant green color. Chlorophyll works wonders in flushing out toxins from our bodies and supporting liver function, all crucial for detoxification. It also prevents cell damage, protects against genetic mutations, shields against DNA damage, reduces cancer risk, and combats obesity.

8. Boost Your Immune System: Packed with Vitamin C and other antioxidants, green juice is AMAZING for your immune system. These nutrients help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body, enhancing your body's power to fight off infections and diseases.

9. Keep Your Heart Happy: Many green juices contain leafy greens such as spinach or kale, which are rich in dietary nitrates and antioxidants. These nutrients can help keep your blood pressure in check and possibly lower the risk of heart disease. Plus, the fiber in green juice can help lower cholesterol levels, promoting overall heart health.

10. Stay Hydrated: High-water-content veggies like cucumber or celery make green juice a hydration hero. Proper hydration is key for various bodily functions, including temperature regulation, nutrient transportation, and overall cellular health. Plus, staying adequately hydrated aids digestion, keeps your skin glowing, prevents headaches, and boosts your physical performance.

11. Convenience: Whip up a nutrient-filled drink in minutes with your trusty juicer, and voila! You're in control of the ingredients, ensuring you have a pure, unprocessed drink without any added sugars or preservatives, unlike some store-bought options.

12. Increased Vegetable Intake: Let's face it, getting the recommended daily intake of veggies can be tough. But, green juice provides a tasty and manageable solution. Packed with a high concentration of nutrients, it helps in filling some dietary gaps and contributes to your overall health and wellness. Variety is key, and consuming a mix of veggies through green juice ensures you're getting a broad spectrum of nutrients, a key factor in maintaining optimal health. However, still getting in enough high quality fiber, protein and fats is still super important!

Downsides of Green Juice (or fruit juice in general)

Fruit is a rich source of natural sugars, specifically fructose. When consumed in moderation, these sugars are a healthy part of our diet, providing essential nutrients and energy.

However, drinking large amounts of fruit can lead to a rapid increase in blood sugar levels because fructose is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream.

This can cause a 'sugar spike' where blood glucose levels rise sharply, followed by a rapid drop. This fluctuation can lead to symptoms such as mood swings, fatigue, and physical weakness. In the long term, regular spikes in blood sugar can lead to insulin resistance, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and other metabolic conditions.

So I’m definitely NOT against fruit sugar, it’s something just to be aware of when making your juices. Slowly add less fruit to your green juice as you get used to the taste and sip on them slowly to help the blood sugar spike.

How to Make Green Juice at Home

Whipping up your own green juice at home is surprisingly easy and straightforward! All you need to start are a juicer (this is the one i’ve been using and really enjoy it. It wasn’t that expensive on Amazon and it’s super cute too. I got the light yellow one!) and a variety of green veggies (maybe an apple or orange if you want to ease into the green taste)

Feel free to experiment with options like spinach, kale, romaine, and cucumber to create a lively mix of nutrients. Tossing in a bit of fruit such as apple, orange, or pineapple can really jazz up your juice by adding a dash of natural sweetness. But just add a tiny bit so it doesn’t cause a super blood sugar spike.

Always remember to pick organic greens when you can, since they're free of yucky pesticides and offer nutrients in their purest form.

If you're lucky enough to have a home garden, you can really make the most of it by growing your own greens. Not only does this guarantee the freshest ingredients, but it can also save you a pretty penny on store-bought greens. I started a garden two years ago and expand it every year. it hard worth up front but soooo worth it! It gets easier and easier to maintain and grow every year.

What to add to green juice to make it taste better?

If you're curious about how to make your green juice taste better, I've got a tip just for you! instead of doing ALLL greens right off the bat, start with adding a half of a fruit with it. This is what I Do for y kids and hubby haha. Then slowly I start adding less and less fruit as their palette gets used to the green taste. You can also start with romaine, then move to spinach then kale so progress into the more earthy greens). Drink it between 1-3 days after you juice for optimal freshness. Adding juice from a lemon also helps preserve the green juice and prevents it from oxidizing super fast.

11 Tips for Making the Perfect Green Juice

1. I highly recommended using organic greens for juicing, which ensures that your juice is free from harmful pesticides. If you juice with greens with pesticides, you are basically condensing a bunch of pesticides into one glass which does the opposite of healing your body. Organic vegetables can also offer higher nutrient content, as studies suggest that organically grown foods can contain more antioxidants and lower levels of harmful heavy metals.

2. Feel free to experiment with your green juice recipe to suit your individual taste preferences. This will not only make your juicing experience more enjoyable, but also allow you to discover new, exciting combinations. Different combinations can provide a variety of health benefits due to the unique nutrient profiles of different vegetables. Every green juice I make is different and I love it that way so I never get bored or tired of it. Sure, some batches are more delicious than others, but all are tasty!

3. For a well-rounded nutrient profile, incorporate a variety of greens into your juice. Different greens offer different health benefits, so diversity is key. For instance, kale is a great source of vitamins K, C, and A, and spinach offers a good dose of iron, calcium, and magnesium. Plus, variety is GREAATTT for your gut health. So don’t try to make it the same every single time.

4. To keep costs down and ensure a constant supply of fresh greens, consider starting a garden. This can be as simple as a few pots on your windowsill, or as elaborate as a full backyard plot. Growing your own produce can not only save money but also ensures that your vegetables are at their peak freshness and nutritional value when juiced. I have some garden beds (some even in shader places) that are solely greens. I have spinach, romaine, butter lettuce, different types of kale, and even herbs (mint is so yummy in juice!).

5. Don't worry if you don't have specific greens on hand every time you juice. The beauty of green juice is its flexibility, which allows you to utilize whatever you have available. This allows for variety in your nutrient intake, which is beneficial for overall health as different vegetables contain different types and amounts of essential nutrients. If I notice that our cucumbers aren’t getting eaten up or the celery is getting a bit flimsy, I’ll throw it into the juice before it goes bad.

6. While fruit can sweeten your juice, be careful not to add too much. Excess fruit can lead to blood sugar spikes due to high fructose content.

7. Enhance the flavor of your green juice by adding lemon or ginger. Lemon is rich in vitamin C and aids digestion while ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and can help with nausea and digestion.

8. Always wash your greens before juicing to remove any dirt or potential pesticides. This ensures the purity of your juice and prevents ingestion of harmful substances.

9. Drinking your green juice immediately after making it ensures you benefit from the maximum amount of nutrients. Certain nutrients, like vitamin C and some B vitamins, are sensitive to light, heat, and air, and start to degrade when exposed.

10. If you're new to green juices, start with milder greens like spinach, which is high in iron, calcium, and vitamins A, C, and K+. As your palate adjusts, you can introduce stronger-tasting greens like kale, which is a powerhouse of nutrition, high in vitamins A, K, and C, and a good source of fiber, calcium, potassium, and antioxidants.

11. Add a spoonful of chia seeds for a better balance and slower sugar absorption into your bloodstream. Not only do chia seeds improve the taste, but they also contribute omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and protein to your juice. Letting the juice sit for an hour allows the chia seeds to absorb water, which can help to keep you hydrated and feeling full.

The Ideal Time to Drink Green Juice

Are you wondering when's the best time to drink green juice? Here's a tip: drink it early in the morning, ideally on an empty stomach. This is because an empty stomach ensures that all those important nutrients in your juice are absorbed to the max. Without any other food around to get in the way, your body can easily digest the juice and soak up all those goodies.

But hey, don't feel like you can only drink it in the morning! You can always grab a glass of green juice for a quick energy boost anytime during the day. Feeling a bit sluggish in the afternoon? Or maybe you need a pick-me-up before your evening workout? Go ahead and enjoy your green juice! It's not just packed with nutrients, it’s also a fantastic pick-me-up.

I drank green juice every day for a month…here's what happened.

A month ago, I decided to change my daily routine and started drinking green juice. I felt a significant increase in my energy levels that lasted throughout the day.

Instead of my usual morning coffee, I now look forward to the refreshing taste of green juice. I turned into a whole relaxing routine. I walk out to my garden in barefoot in the morning for some grounding and inspect my garden (trying to keep the adorable bunnies away from nibbling my garden), and grab a handful of different greens.

My skin has also benefited, it looks so much healthier and I honestly feel like my skin is glowing and hydrated now.

Overall, I just feel AMAZING.

Introducing green juice into my routine was more than just a physical change — it was also an emotional and mental shift. I'm really excited to keep this up this summer.

But what's even better is my kids and hubby would start asking for a glass! YASSS! Getting the fam on board!

Join A Nourished Life, Ultimate Online Course for Mamas!

If you're a mom or a young woman who's serious about integrating nutrient-dense foods into daily meals, it's time to give green juice a try. I promise, you'll “LOVEEEE” it. And if you're looking to take your wellness journey a step further, get on the waitlist for our new course, Nourished Life.

I'll be empowering women and mamas with knowledge and practical tips on creating a home of wellness and how to pass on these healthy habits to our kiddos. Let's create generational health together, ladies!

You may also like…

let’s be friends on Instagram!

Search the blog ↓

Use code BAILEY for 20% OFF OF PURCHASES $50 OR MORE

Use code BAILEYPETRUCELLI for 10% OFF

• Charleston
• Mom Life
• Food Products/Brands
• Kids Nutrition
• smoothies
• Appetizers
• Wellness
• Mental Health
• Gift Guides
• Party Foods
• Education
• Dinner
• healthy swaps
• Kid's Wellness
• Family Wellness
• snacks
• Favorite Things Round Up
• Mom Wellness
• Supplements
• Hosting
• product reviews
• Pregnancy
• Travel
• Functional Foods
• Non-Toxic Living
• Treats
• Running
• Recipes
• Fall
• Drinks
• Food Ideas
• Symptoms