The top five juices

[Deleted]

Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranate is the healthiest of them all because it contains the most of every type of antioxidant. It wins in all categories. And it's thought that it might do some very good things; it may protect against some cancers, such as prostate cancer. It might also modify heart disease risk factors, and it could be healthy for your heart. So pomegranate was the clear winner.

Concord Grape Juice

Concord grape juice is a source of very potent antioxidants. And there's some research indicating it may be good for our hearts and also help reduce blood pressure. Grapes are also high in fiber, but much of their goodness is in the seed, so you need to consider whether grape juice is the way to go.

Blueberry Juice

The color alone indicates a lot of antioxidants. But blueberry juice also contains tons of fiber, and is also very high in Vitamin C. One of the qualities of antioxidants is that they can lower inflammation, and so there's some indication that blueberries may have some effect on age-related cognitive abilities. And don't forget that blueberries are very low in calories.

Black Cherry Juice

This one actually has scientists a bit excited. Not only is it high in antioxidants, but there is evidence that black cherry juice can actually diminish exercise-induced muscle injuries.

Cranberry Juice

Like all of these juices, it's high in antioxidants. But cranberry juice is also high in Vitamin C. And there's always been a sort of wives' tale that cranberry juice helps prevent urinary tract infections. Well, it turns out researchers are finding evidence that it actually can decrease the number of urinary tract infections. The thinking is, it helps stop bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall, protecting against infections.

Of these juices, I don't think that I have ever seen blueberry juice, even as an ingredient in mixed juices.

[mockchoc]

I have used cranberry juice when suffering urinary tract infection and it does work.

I sell blueberry juice at work. First time I'd seen it was a few months back.

[auntieannie]

I drink a glass of fermented grape juice almost everyday.
This is excellent for my complexion and to keep a young look.
(of utmost importance when you don't want to look too much like a pervert when admiring the adonis-like temp - I say I have to rest my eyes somewhere nice because the office is too horrible )

[Deleted]

In Turkey,fresh squeezed black cherry juice was served every morning at breakfast. It was wonderful. Also good for gout.

[lagatta]

The tiny wild blueberries from Lac St-Jean and Abitibi in central-Northern Quebec are wonderful.

I do use the cranberry juice and take extract of it in capsules for those pesky urinary tract infections. Although I tend to be sceptical of such things, it certainly seems to work.

This evening a glass of Riesling is a very nice juice. I'm in Amsterdam, but working, so no vélo today.

[hwinpp]

I've never had pomegranate juice, I think. Or does it have a different name when used in cocktails?

[bixaorellana]

Are you thinking of grenadine, hwinpp? I think grenadine is more of a pomegranate syrup, though.

[hwinpp]

Yes, that's what I meant. Yes, it's not juice that you'd drink just like that. What's 'cassis'?

[bazfaz]

Like Annie I drink fermented garpe juice every evening. Last night I didn't want any. I truly am ill.

It Egypt we used to drink mango juice with our vodka before going out for dinner. That was good because the vodka didn't mask the taste of the mango.

[bixaorellana]

Cassis is a liqueur made from currants.

Not that I'm advocating against drinking red wine, but it overnight became touted as a heart-helper cure-all for a while. The same people who'd quickly tell you they drank it for their heart (sorry- did I say I cared?), ignored the fact that the same benefits could be gained from eating raisins.

That whole list of fruit juices sounds like something breathless from the weekly food pages of a newspaper. As Kerouac says, how do we get our hands on blueberry juice. For that matter, except as a frozen ingredient for pancakes, most people in the world will live & die without seeing a blueberry. Guess that's why they'll die.

Really, drinking fruit juices is not as good as eating the fruit. The juices are processed, plus are a way of dumping far more sugar & less fiber down your throat at one time than you'd manage eating the unadorned fruit.

I think instead of looking to an exotic grocery store product as a magic elixir, we'd do better to research for ourselves other ways we could introduce the antioxidants, etc. into our regular diets. If a person doesn't live in a tropical climate, for instance, they'd do well to find out if they need more cabbage or carrots or whatever in lieu of unavailable pomegranates.

[bazfaz]

With repect, Bixa, I doubt Annie and I are going to eat raisins with our supper every night.
And the overnight touting of red wine.... I leave it to your fellow helper to tell you about the Toulouse effect.

[bixaorellana]

But you & Annie make no pretensions about drinking it for your hearts. Rather, you are both drinking & enjoying it as it was meant to be used

I'm referring to those people who volunteer that they have red wine every night then quickly & defensively say that it's for their hearts, as though I -- who am indifferent to their habits -- am checking for incipient alcoholism.

[Jazz]

Feb 24, 2009 14:58:35 GMT bixaorellana said:

...
Really, drinking fruit juices is not as good as eating the fruit. The juices are processed, plus are a way of dumping far more sugar & less fiber down your throat at one time than you'd manage eating the unadorned fruit.

I think instead of looking to an exotic grocery store product as a magic elixir, we'd do better to research for ourselves other ways we could introduce the antioxidants, etc. into our regular diets. If a person doesn't live in a tropical climate, for instance, they'd do well to find out if they need more cabbage or carrots or whatever in lieu of unavailable pomegranates.

I agree Bixa. I enjoy all of these juices, especially cherry, cranberry and blueberry. Mango is also delicious. Obviously it depends on where you live, but blueberry juice has been available here for several years, but it's expensive! Most of the time I love to simply eat the fruit. And, drink the wine. It takes little research to find what out what your body needs and there is almost always that food, or something as good, in your local area. Here are two good sites, the food is inexpensive and easy to find here.

www.foodreference.com/html/art-superfoods.html

well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/30/the-11-best-foods-you-arent-eating/?em

[bixaorellana]

That first one is a great link, Jazz -- thanks. NYTimes one doesn't want to open, but I've seen the article already.

I cannot imagine fresh fruit -- or vegetable, when fruits are out of season -- going directly as its unadorned self into ones mouth wouldn't be better than something out of a box or bottle from the store, no matter how expensive or beautifully packaged.