Available in a plethora of flavours, including watermelon, beetroot, and pomegranate, most juices are cooling beverages that supply the body with a host of minerals and nutrients. Some of their most potent health benefits include hydrating the body, which enables one to stay cool and light on sultry summer days. Juices can also act as energy boosters; that’s why they are frequently consumed during breakfast to prepare one for the rest of the day.
However, in order to reap the full health benefits of juices, it’s essential to craft them with healthy ingredients, such as fruits and vegetables. One must also steer clear of store-bought juices as much as possible, as these tend to be high in sugar and calories, and could potentially set off conditions like high cholesterol and weight gain. When taken in the right amount, homemade fruit and vegetable juices can help stimulate weight loss.
Here are six homemade juices to try out for weight loss purposes.
Beetroot Juice
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, beets are typically low in calories and packed with dietary fibre. When the soluble fibre present in beets is digested, it produces an effect of fullness within the body. This helps suppress hunger pangs and, therefore, reduces one’s overall calorie intake, aiding weight management. Blend chopped beets with some water and season with herbs and spices for taste to craft a simple, homemade glass of beetroot juice.
Celery Juice
Celery juice is slowly gaining momentum in health and fitness-focused circles. In addition to being a low-calorie beverage, celery juice is also composed of nearly 95% water, making it an ideal summer beverage. Moreover, owing to the juice’s low-calorie density, it has been found to be especially advantageous for weight management as well as fat loss. An excellent source of antioxidants and plant compounds, the juice also helps boost immunity by helping curb inflammation levels.
Pomegranate Juice
Cherished for its sweet flavour and invigorating effect, pomegranate juice makes for a nourishing and delicious beverage. This juice typically functions in a similar way to beetroot juice, being low in calories and high in fibre. The fibre, once digested, acts as an appetite suppressant, assisting with weight management. Pomegranates are also known to limit sudden increases in blood sugar levels, which are usually responsible for spurring hunger pangs.
Watermelon Juice
Watermelon juice is a nurturing beverage that’s low in calories, making it suitable for weight loss. The juice is endowed with a high-water content, which helps the body feel fuller, and could potentially reduce calorie intake. Similarly, a research article entitled “Effects of Fresh Watermelon Consumption on the Acute Satiety Response and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Adults,” published in the journal Nutrients, found that fresh watermelon helped reduce belly fat, body weight, and food cravings in the sample group.
Carrot Juice
Carrots are loaded with fibre, a type of carbohydrate that spurs weight loss and weight management by helping stabilise one’s appetite levels. The low-calorie and carotenoid-rich nature of the root vegetable has also been found to help reduce belly fat in obese men, as per a study entitled “Dietary Intake of Carotenoid-Rich Vegetables Reduces Visceral Adiposity in Obese Japanese men—A Randomized, Double-Blind Trial,” published in the journal Nutrients.
Kale Apple Juice
Kale and apple are both highly nutritious foods; when blended into juice form, their nutrient levels as well as their health benefits as associated with weight loss are doubled. Both of these ingredients are high in fibre, a significant appetite suppressant that aids weight loss. Moreover, kale also helps regulate blood sugar levels, thereby reducing sudden spikes in sugar cravings. The versatile juice can be flavoured with ginger and lemon to elevate its taste.