Call them juices, smoothies or ‘salad in a cup,’ these beverages can be a smart solution to help you consume the cancer-busting fruits and vegetables you don’t necessarily like. Plus, they ensure all your nutrition needs are met.
While we know how important it is to drink water, there are other healthy drinks worth adding to your diet. According to nutritionist Dr Raneem Abdulmajeed, “You can make your own drink that will have great health benefits, from relieving minor ailments like indigestion to providing protection against serious issues.” As well as reducing the risk of cancer, these beverage recipes provided by the nutritionist are known to lower weight and improve mood. And all you need to make them is a bowl of fresh fruits and vegetables and a blender.
1. Refreshing Raspberry Lemonade
Raspberries are a rich source of health-promoting, plant-derived nutrients, minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health.
What you need:
3 cups cold water, divided
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 can thawed lemonade concentrate, undiluted
Mint sprigs (optional)
How to:
1. Combine 3/4 cup water and raspberries in a blender; process until smooth.
2. Strain mixture through a sieve into a medium bowl; discard seeds.
3. Combine raspberry liquid, 2¼ cups water and lemonade concentrate in a pitcher; chill.
4. Serve garnished with mint, if desired.
2. Red Grapefruit Slushy
Grapefruit is a great source of vitamin C, which helps support the immune system. It also contains the antioxidant lycopene, which appears to have anti-tumour activity.
What you need:
1 red grapefruit, peeled and sliced
1 orange, peeled and sliced
¼ cup orange juice
1 cup mango sorbet
8 ice cubes
How to:
Blend all ingredients together in a blender until smooth and serve.
3. Tomato Juice
Tomatoes are rich in antioxidant lycopene, which helps reduce the risk of lung and stomach cancer, as well as pancreatic, colorectal, oesophageal, oral, breast and cervical cancers.
What you need:
3 large tomatoes
2 stalks celery
1/2 cucumber (peeled)
¼ inch ginger, grated
1/2 lemon, peeled
1/4 inch hot pepper (or pinch cayenne pepper)
Salt, pepper and sweetener to taste
How to:
1. Peel the cucumber (mainly to preserve the nice red colour of the tomato juice, for health purposes though you might want to leave the skin on).
2. Run all ingredients through your juicer starting with the soft ingredients such as lemon and cucumber.
3. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add a few drops of honey for sweetness. (You can add apple, watermelon or mango as a substitute.)
Bon appetit!
