Feeling a bit run down? Working to recover from a cold? Whether you're in need of some immune support or simply want a delicious way to boost your vitamin C levels, this sunshine boost juice drink can take you from low-energy to top-of-your-game fast.
We all know that vitamin C is great for boosting the immune system, but it can also benefit the body in other ways.
Benefits of vitamin C may include:
- Reduction of chronic disease risk
- Promote immune function, including wound healing
- Healthy blood pressure levels
- Support gum health
- Prevention of gout attacks
- Promotes heart health
- Protects against age-related memory decline
In addition to providing many health benefits, fruits and veggies loaded with vitamin C are delicious, and often associated with getting things moving in the morning. It's a little easier to get out of bed when you know you have a fantastic glass of fresh-squeezed citrus waiting for you.
A quick tip when it comes to juicing citrus fruits: take a few minutes to go through the peeling process. Even the most robust juicer can get worn down over time, and citrus peels are tough. If you're making your juice in the morning, peel your fruits the night before so that you can easily toss your fruits in your juicer for a fast and easy immunity-boosting beverage.
Benefits of Sunshine Boost Juice Drink Ingredients
Oranges — We all know that oranges are packed with vitamin C, but orange juice is known for its high sugar content. A large glass of orange juice in the morning can cause a crash later in the day. This is why it's a smart move to combine orange juice with other, lower-sugar juices, such as the ingredients listed here.
Orange juice doesn't just add sweetness to the recipe to balance out the grapefruit and lemon. It's also the king of vitamin C, with an 8-ounce serving packing 67% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for the vitamin. Orange juice also provides the body with potassium, an electrolyte that supports muscle function. This makes a glass of Sunshine Boost Juice the perfect fit to rehydrate and refuel after a tough workout.
Grapefruit — This citrus favorite is often sprinkled with sugar to cover up the sour taste, but don't worry — the orange and mango in this recipe will perfectly balance out grapefruit's pucker-inducing taste. Grapefruits are loaded with water and go a long way to stretch this juice's hydrating properties.
Grapefruit juice has long been touted as a weight-loss miracle, but the jury is still out on this idea, as it's tough to tell whether the weight loss associated with grapefruit juice is simply due to increased hydration. In addition to potential weight-loss help, grapefruit juice also may reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, lower triglyceride levels, and lower blood pressure.
Lemon — One lemon has about a third of the daily recommended dose of vitamin C. In addition to boosting the immune system, lemons may also fight cancer and prevent kidney stones.
In addition to being loaded with vitamin C, lemon juice is also a powerful antibacterial and antifungal agent, which can help the body stay strong when faced with an unwelcome invader. Lemons also have strong anti-inflammatory properties, helping to protect the body against illness and disease.
Mango — While not technically classified as citrus fruit, mangoes are a delicious addition to this recipe. Mangoes aren't just loaded with vitamin C — they're also packed with vitamins A, K, potassium, folate, and choline. Mangoes are also jam-packed with antioxidants, including mangiferin, often referred to as a super-antioxidant because it's so powerful.
Kale — Among health food enthusiasts, kale is heralded as one of the most nutrient-dense leafy greens in the world. Among everyone else, kale is known as a bitter veggie option that tastes as bad as it is good for the body. Good news: when you toss kale into a juicer, the bitterness disappears, but many of the vegetable's health benefits remain.
While it's normal to think of sweet and sour citrus fruits as a top source of vitamin C, kale juice is also loaded with this powerful nutrient. This powerhouse green leafy vegetable supports collagen production, may strengthen bones, supports vision health, supports the function of red blood cells, and can support the body's natural energy production.
While you may be tempted to skip the kale in this recipe, don't. You won't taste it in your drink, and it'll add tons of benefits for your immune system and your energy levels.
Now, let's take a look at exactly what you'll need to do to start your day with this vitamin C booster juice recipe.
Recipe
Sunshine Boost Juice
Ingredients
- 3 Oranges
- 1 Grapefruit
- ½ Lemon
- 1 Mango (sliced, pt removed)
- 1 cup Kale
Instructions
- As mentioned above, be sure to peel oranges, grapefruit, lemon, and mango before adding to your juicer. If you choose to use frozen fruit (such as mango), be sure to thaw it in the fridge overnight to get maximum yield from your juicer. Add all ingredients to juicer on low speed, enjoy immediately. If necessary, this immune booster juice may be stored in a covered container in the fridge for up to 48 hours.
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