Juicing has been a regular part of my daily routine, and has played a significant role in my life for many, many years, which I'm so thankful for!
This daily practice has caused me to experience some amazing health benefits, such as clearer skin, an increase in energy, and natural weight loss. There is no doubt in my mind that regular juicing has contributed to allowing my brain to function at an optimal level as well.
You may already know that juicing can help to promote heart health or relieve symptoms of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. However, many people are unaware that regular juicing also has a significant impact in maintaining overall brain health.
Juicing regularly can support brain health in several different ways, from supplying much-needed vitamins and minerals, to reducing oxidative stress and improving cerebral circulation.
Let’s take a look at seven benefits of juicing that help to promote a healthy brain:
1) Protects Against Alzheimer’s
A cup of juice can provide your brain with everything it needs to work better and faster.
Simply put, regular juicing could have a dramatic effect on lowering your risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers at Penn State University found that older adults who drank fresh fruit juice regularly were significantly less likely to develop Alzheimer’s than those who didn’t drink any fruit juice.
The subjects who consumed fruit juices daily had a 33% lower chance of developing dementia than those who never or rarely drank fruit juices.
2) Reduces Depression and Anxiety
Studies show that regular juicing can significantly reduce depression and anxiety symptoms.
Due to its high levels of antioxidants, nutrients, vitamins, and minerals - which help to ease stress and anxiety, many people who drink fresh juice daily have also reported feeling more relaxed and calmer than before they began juicing.
In fact, people with depression have reported higher levels of overall mental health after just two weeks on a regular juice cleanse.
And while there is no guarantee that you’ll feel less stressed after adding a daily juice habit to your life, it definitely doesn't hurt to try it out! It might just work in improving your mood when times get difficult.
3) Prevents Dementia
Daily juicing is very powerful in preventing dementia and keeping the brain sharp by providing necessary antioxidants.
Rich in vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and enzymes, fresh juice containing whole fruits and vegetables can help to reduce mental decline in older adults.
Antioxidants have also been shown to help prevent age-related memory impairment as well as improve attention span, and focus.
In addition, studies show that fresh juices containing green leafy vegetables, such as spinach contain lutein and zeaxanthin (two powerful antioxidants).
These antioxidants can protect your eyes from neurodegenerative diseases such as macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness among adults aged 55 years or older.
4) Enhances Mental Clarity
A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition discovered that consuming fresh juices daily boosts brain power by improving long-term memory.
Additionally, researchers at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom found that after six weeks of drinking fresh vegetable juice, participants performed better on mental tasks involving problem-solving and mental agility compared to those who drank water or skim milk.
The antioxidants found in fresh juice appeared to enhance mental clarity and improve short-term memory, making it easier for participants to learn new skills and recall information from past conversations.
This demonstrates that people who juiced frequently tended to think faster than their non-juice peers.
5) Increases Focus and Concentration
Scientists have found that consuming fresh juice can help you to be more alert or improve your attention span.
If you have difficulty concentrating on tasks, remembering important information, or find yourself easily distracted throughout the day, adding juices made from leafy greens, such as kale or spinach and citrus fruits, such as oranges can help.
This is because they are loaded with vitamin C, which helps bolster memory and support overall cognitive function by increasing blood flow to certain areas of the brain.
They are also high in nitrates, which are naturally occurring chemicals that convert into nitric oxide while in your bloodstream. This allows for better blood flow to the brain and can make it easier to focus on specific tasks for longer periods of time.
6) Strengthens Memory
According to recent research, daily juicing can improve memory by more than 10%.
Boosting your antioxidant intake by juicing regularly can significantly reduce your risk for mental decline and memory loss.
Some fresh juices, particularly those with a high water content, can help to improve memory and overall brain health.
When you regularly drink fresh juices that are high in nutrients, this stimulates the neurons in your brain - leading to improved memory.
To support memory health, try adding more leafy greens, such as kale, turnip greens, Swiss chard, or spinach to your juices. These greens all contain high levels of folate, which helps to prevent age-related memory decline by boosting blood flow to critical areas in the brain.
So, if you're looking for an easy way to sharpen your mind, then a daily juice regimen might be just what you need!
7) Improves Sleep Quality
When we don’t get enough high-quality shut-eye, it makes it difficult for our bodies to perform at peak levels. After all, your brain needs sufficient rest and sleep in order to function optimally.
There are many nutrients in fresh juice that can help to improve sleep quality.
One study determined that drinking beetroot juice one hour before bedtime reduced stress hormone levels while helping participants to fall asleep faster and to sleep more deeply.
Juicing foods high in melatonin, such as carrots and apples can reduce insomnia and other sleep disorders by providing a slow, steady release of melatonin into your body.
Juicing fruits and vegetables on a regular basis is an absolute powerhouse in promoting and maintaining optimal brain health!
However......
Consistency is Key!
You will notice the most health benefits from juicing by sticking to a consistent regimen.
Drawing from my own experiences with juicing (a practice that I adopted many, many years ago), maintaining a consistent, daily juicing schedule has gifted me with way more benefits than just helping to boost my overall health.
I have also experienced very positive brain-related changes, such as an increase in my cognitive abilities (i.e. speed of processing information, etc.), thinking clearer, an increased ability to focus and concentrate, and much healthier sleeping patterns - all of which have increased my productivity throughout the day.
Please let me know if you decide to take a leap of faith and start your juicing journey. You definitely won't be disappointed!
I will be one of your biggest supporters throughout this process - as I know that transitioning into this lifestyle can be difficult for some people.
Peace & Love,
Makeda
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