Time to cleanse and rejuvenate our bodies with a few weight loss helpers – lighter foods, juices and smoothies. What’s considered healthy and unhealthy seems to change on a regular basis. Most recently, a study by Georgia State University microbiologist, Benoit Chassaing, confirmed the destructive properties of an inflammatory diet. It’s not only intestinal problems. Low-grade inflammation caused by food additives has been shown to contribute to weight gain and blood sugar control problems, as well as a host for other chronic diseases.
No matter the kind of diet you may lean toward – vegetarian, vegan, low-carb, no-carb, Mediterranean, Neanderthal or any other kind of diet – any and all anti-inflammation efforts are well worth it!
Healthy juices and shakes are a convenient way to reduce inflammation, revitalize your cells and lose some of those winter pounds. Yes, you can lose weight on the anti-inflammation diet. Here are three recipes with their health benefits. For more recipes, weight loss helpers and health tips visit the The Juice Lady’s Anti-Inflammation Diet.
Anti-Inflammatory Cocktail
1 green apple
½ large fennel with fronds
1-inch-piece ginger root
1 large broccoli stem
3 leaves kale
½ cucumber, peeled if not organic
Cut produce to fit your juicer. Start by juicing the apple and finish with the cucumber. Drink as soon as possible.
Benefits:
Fennel: anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, analgesic, and antioxidant
Apple: inhibits the development of allergies; rich in histamine-lowering quercetin
Cucumber: analgesic (pain killer); antioxidant that prevents the synthesis of the inflammatory compound prostaglandin
Broccoli: anti-carcinogenic, prevents gastric mucosal damage (suggesting potential histamine-lowering action)
Ginger: as effective as an H2 receptor antagonist prescription drug
Morning Energy
1–2 carrots, scrubbed well, tops removed, ends trimmed
½ small beet, with leaves
1 cucumber, peeled if not organic
1 handful spinach or several chard leaves
½ lemon, peeled
1-inch-piece ginger root, scrubbed, peeled if old
Cut produce to fit your juicer’s feed tube. Juice all ingredients and stir. Pour into a glass and drink as soon as possible.
Benefits:
Beets contain unique phytonutrients called betalains, which have been shown to provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and detoxification effects.
Antioxidant Power Smoothie
1 cup unsweetened plant milk such as hemp, coconut, or almond milk
½ cup blueberries
1 pear
½ cup baby spinach
1 tsp. Indian gooseberry extract (optional)*
1 Tbsp. flaxseed
Ice cubes (optional, depending on how cold you like your smoothie)
Add all ingredients to a blender and process until smooth.
Benefits:
Berries help prevent damaging effects of free radicals and inflammation by turning off the inflammation signals triggered by cytokines and COX-2s, making them an ideal part of your diet.
