Answers Your Most Frequently Asked Questions

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The Health Benefits of Juice

Q. Will Juice lower my cholesterol?

A. Just as incorporating juices into your diet will help you lose weight naturally, it will also help lower your cholesterol. Fresh fruit and vegetable juices contain no saturated fats or added sodium. They are full of vitamins and minerals and help everyone stick to a healthy, low-fat diet. If your doctor has advised you to lower your cholesterol by changing your diet, talk to him or her about the value of fresh juices.

Q. Can't I get all the nutrients I need from vitamin pills?

A. Nutrients found in fresh fruits and vegetables are far more potent than those found in pills. Because nutrients influence each other by working synergistically, they help each other to create working reactions within the body. When combined naturally in food, they are far more effective and better absorbed than when singled out in pill form.
And there's another reason. Nutrients are constantly being discovered and named. For example, you've heard of beta carotene, but does alpha carotene mean much to you? This nutrient, found primarily in fruits and vegetables, has recently shown protective effects against vulvar cancer. Phenols, indoles, aromatic isothiocyanates, terpenes, and organosulfur compounds are part of a ne category called “anutrient,” which may show protective effects against some cancers. You guessed it: they are found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and other plants.
The point is, these nutrients are only just being shown to have value, being given names or categories, and certainly won't appear in supplement pills for a while. Remember, juices provide not only nutrients with well-known functions, but also nutrients with roles that are not yet understood or recognized. Fesh fruits and vegetables are good for us in ways we do not even know about yet! Finally, if you do need to take a particular supplement, be sure to swallow it with the juices that are highest in that nutrient for better absorption.

Q. Why is juicing so important? Why can't we just eat food?

A. Juicing is the most helpful thing you can do for your body nutritionally. When you eat, the body takes approximately one and a half days to process the food completely from the time of ingestion to elimination. And even when working to perfection, the body extracts is a small percentage of the valuable juice from the body. When you juice, highly concentrated nutrients enter your bloodstream very quickly because your body doesn't need to extract the juice from the fiber.

Q. Fruits should be part of my daily diet to be healthy. Does that include fruit juices or does it have to be whole fruits?

A. According to the USDA's Pyramid Food Guidance System, any fruit or 100% fruit juice counts as part of the fruit group in the food pyramid. Fruits may be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried, and may be whole, cut up or pureed.

Q. Are all fruit juices healthy?

A. Not all juices are the same. The juice that has all the nutrients you can get from fruit is the juice that is 100% fruit juice. Those that are not lack the nutritional value of 100% fruit juice and have added sugars as sweeteners. 100% fruit juices are fat free, rich in vitamins and minerals and has a lot of nutrients.

Q. How much calories do fruit juices have?

A. Calorie contents of fruit juices differ depending on the kind of fruit juice. Sugar content is always a factor to consider. 100% fruit juices have 60 to 80 calories only for each ½ cup serving.

Q. How much juice should a person consume?

A. Children 4 years old above can consume 8 ounces of juice, which is about ¾ cup. Older children and adults can consume 8 to 12 ounces of juice daily. Note that these are servings of 100% fruit juice.

Q. I am a diabetic. How much fruit should I consume?

A. Fruits contain carbohydrates. Depending on what your allowable carbohydrate consumption is, factor in the amount of carbohydrates the fruits you will consume have.

Q. How much fruit and vegetables should I eat? Is juice included in this amount?

A. A person should consume 4 ½ or more cups of fruits and vegetables per day. 100% fruit juice can be consumed as substitute for whole fruits and vegetables.

Juice and You

Q. How can I get my children to drink "green" juices? They practically turn green at the suggestion of broccoli or spinach juice.

A. Because no one should ever drink green juices without first mixing them other juices such as carrot and apple, including these juices in your children's diets should not be too difficult. Emphasize the carrot or apple juice and play down the fact that the green juice is part of the package.
You may want to start gradually, moving from pure carrot-apple juice to apple-carrot-parsley juice by adding a little bit more parsley to each successive batch of juice over the course of several weeks. If your kids find the color too strange, simply switch to using a dark-colored glass tumbler to serve the juice. Before they know it, they will be drinking juice that has a full 25 percent portion of glorious, life-giving green juice. The sweeter the apple, the more kids love it. Try using Golden Delicious apples in the juice.
You can also take a more direct approach. Most kids love to be involved with juicing. (Always supervise carefully children's use of any household appliance, including a juicer.) If you let them help you, their curiosity will get the better of them and they will be eager to try every juice.

Q. Should I encourage my children to juice?

A. Definitely! Growing children need a full complement of vitamins and minerals to make them healthy and to help them develop lifelong healthful eating habits. Some children actually prefer fresh fruit juices to most other drinks. But remember that children's dietary needs are different from adults' and do not expect or require your children to drink to as many juices as you do.
When they reach 6 months, you may able to start giving your children very simple juices like orange juice, always mixed with at least 50 percent purified or distilled water. As every child develops differently, check first with a pediatrician before introducing any changes into a child's diet. And watch carefully for any sign of an allergic reaction. If food allergies do develop, they will be much easier to pinpoint if you are not mixing different fruits in one juice.
When your child is between 8 and 12 months, you can gradually use less water in the juices until your child is accustomed to pure juice. Keep to simple juices like carrot, apple, orange, or cantaloupe, and let your child develop his or her own preferences.

Q. You started juicing when you were young. I am over fifty and have not eaten a very healthful diet. Will I benefit at all if I start now?

A. It is never too late. And if you enjoy the good life-socializing, prime rib dinners, fast foods and cocktails, you need the juices more that ever. Drink them to flush the toxins from your body and then, go party. But even more important, initiating a more healthful diet at any age is good for your heart, your circulation, your weight and your overall feeling of well-being.

Q. What are the best juices to drink with meals?

A. Vegetables and all fruit juices make good accompaniments for meals. Sip the juice between every bite of food and be sure to “chew” the juice. This means swirling it around in your mouth until it tastes sweet and feels warm so that the digestive enzymes in the saliva are activated.

Q. What juices do you suggest serving at parties?

A. Any of the fruit juices are great choices. Your friends will appreciate the flavor and novelty of fresh apple juice, pineapple juice, and cantaloupe juice. To make the juices more festive, serve them over crushed ice, add a twist or slice of lemon or lime, or add some sparkling mineral water. Sorbets made from fresh juices are also always popular.

Q. What juices do you recommend during hot weather?

A. All juices provide the body with water and therefore keep it cool. We suggest any juice with cucumbers, coconut juice, melons and watermelons, which are natural coolants as people living in hot regions (such as India and the Middle East) have long realized. Juices containing celery are good as the celery juice replaces sodium lost through perspiration. Lemon based juices are very refreshing too. Try them over crushed ice.

Q. I am pregnant and want to know if I can incorporate juices into my diet both now and after the baby is born when I am nursing?

A. Absolutely. Now is the time to pay close attention to yourself and the baby. Fresh, delicious, wholesome juices are terrific sources of vitamins and minerals - without unnecessary fats and sugars - and they taste wonderful. We don not recommend juices as an alternative for prenatal vitamin supplements. Your body needs a wide range of nutrients at this crucial time and the supplements are designed to meet your very special needs. But try drinking fresh juices in place of the coffee, tea and alcohol you have given up during these nine months. Make a big glass of carrot-apple- parsley or orange juice in the late afternoon when you feel in need of a pick-me-up. Continue this practice during nursing to supply your body and your baby with valuable nutrients. Always consult your doctor before changing your diet in any way.

Q. How do you get enough protein if you eat a vegetable diet?

A. Incorporating fresh fruit and vegetable juices into your diet does not mean you have to become a vegetarian. But if you do reduce your intake of meat and dairy products, you can still incorporate protein in your diet. The combination of beans and rice is a classic example of a complete protein vegetarian meal. Plant life contains protein in large amounts of plant foods that are difficult to consume because of the indigestible cellulose fiber. But this roadblock is eliminated when we juice the plant. For example, it takes about a pound of carrots to make about eight ounces of juice and in that pound are about three grams of protein, plus vitamins A and C.

Q. How can fruit juice stains be removed from clothes?

A. Fruit stains should be removed immediately before it sets. The first step is to use a sponge soaked in cold water to dab onto the stain. If the stain has already set, vinegar and sponge can be used to clean the stain.

Behind the Magic

Q. What about the treats that we take home like Soy Magic? How do you keep them from spoiling easily?

A. The Soy Magic treats that you take home are sterilized to kill the bacteria that cause spoilage. The sterilization process keeps the Soy Magic in good condition for up to 6 months in favorable conditions.

Q. How do you keep Fruit Magic treats safe for consumption?

A. Fruit Magic uses 100% fresh ingredients added to your favorite treats right before your eyes. Some of your favorites like buko pandan and dalandan are pasteurized to ensure that they are safe for consumption. In the Pasteurization process, harmful organisms like bacteria, molds and yeast are killed, making your favorite treats safe for consumption.

Juicy Facts

Q. Do fruits lose some of its nutritional value when they are frozen?

A. The longer fruits wait around to be sold or eaten, the more nutrients they lose. Fruits that are frozen right after they are picked have less time to lose their nutrients. (www.nms.on.ca)

Processing Juice

Q. Is juice still good after it turns brown?

A. No. When juice turns brown, it means that it has oxidized and lost its food value. After about twenty-four hours of storage, it may become toxic. This is why the government requires commercial canneries to pasteurize juices so that their shelf life is extended. Freshly made juices are the absolute opposite of day-old juices and are much better for you.

Q. How long can we store fresh juice?

A. We do not recommend storing fresh juice at all. To be able to get the most health benefits, drink the juice right after making it, as it begins to deteriorate rapidly. The act of slicing an orange causes it to lose some vitamin C, for instance, and apples begin to oxidate (turn brown) right after they are cut. IF you must store juice, keep it in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for no more than twenty-four hours.

Q. What can I do with leftovers from juicing?

A. Fiber is more than important, it is essential. Worldwide epidemiological studies indicate that fiber is a key component in preventing colon cancer. This is why it is always recommended to "eat around the juicer" for fiber. Eat plenty of raw foods that are high in fiber, such as whole fruits and vegetables. Also, be sure to include a variety of legumes and whole grains. Take shakes and smoothies (fruzion) in the evening which include a lot of fibers and pure nectars in the morning and afternoon for instant energy to last you all day long.

Q. Can't I buy bottled juices at the market? Aren't they just as good for me?

A. The fresher the juice the greater its nutritional value. Fruits and vegetables processed for commercial canning are processed to extend their shelf life and meet government standards. This processing causes some nutrient loss. Freshly made juices are pure and full of the concentrated nutrients which we believe are so important to good health and well-being. Plus, with the juice that you make, you have absolute control of what is in the juice.

Q. Why can't I use a blender or food processor to make juice? Why do I need a juicer?

A. A blender and a food processor do not extract the juice from the fiber. They puree or mash the fiber with the juice, simply liquifying the fruit or vegetable. A juicer separates the life-giving juice from the fiber.

Discover what Magical Wonders these Fresh Bounties can do for you

Apple - Promotes good digestion, flushes out toxins and helps lower cholesterol level, not to mention a proven anti-cancer.

Banana - It's great for the heart, muscular system and treatment of peptic ulcer.

Blueberries - Blood purifier, body mineralizer.

Buco - The best natural diuretic to cleanse the body of toxins.

Carrot - Prevents diseases and cancer, anti-viral, fights cholesterol, aids digestion and is even great for bones.

Kiwi - The most nutrionally dense of all fruits. Good source of Vitamin C, high in fiber, low in fat.

Passion Fruit - High in Vitamin A & C as well as Potassium and Iron.

Lime/Lemon - Rich in bio flavonoids, rids the body of toxins with Vitamin C and potassium.

Mango - Cleanses your system, guards you against colds and viral sickness.

Melon - Excellent tonics, eliminates waste from the body & a diuretic.

Orange - Guards you against colds, flu, bruising, heart disease and stroke, plus strengthens the blood vessels and capillaries.

Papaya - Excellent source of fiber, helps in digesting protein, encourages waste elimination and guards you against viral sickness.

Green Tea - Boosts the immune system, reduces high blood pressure, lowers blood sugar & fights cancer.

Pineapple - Terrific for digestion, eases sore throat & guards you against diseases.

Strawberry - It cleanses the system, strengthens the blood, tonic for nerves and keeps glands healthy. It's also anti-cancer.

Watermelon - With Zinc that fights impotency and provides a healthy prostate, cleanses the urigenital canal, kidney, bladder and number 1 diuretic in the fruit world.

Asparagus - Good for kidney/bladder disorders.

Mushroom - A proven anti-cancer, low in carbohydrates but high in protein and fiber.

Beets – Beet juice combined with blackberry juice is good blood builder, best juice for gallbladder and liver problems, laxative in effect.

Celery - For arthritis, neuritis, rheumatism, acidity, high blood pressure, nerves, blood cleanser.

Cucumbers - Cools blood; helps with skin problems.

Cabbage - Good mineralizer

Green Pepper - Best source of Vitamin C, high in antioxidants.

Red Pepper - High in Beta Carotene.

Romaine Lettuce - A very good source of Dietary fiber Beta Carotene, Folate, Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Manganese and Chromium.

Iceberg Lettuce - Very high in fiber cellulose.

Cayenne Pepper - Has "Capsaicin" known for its pain reducing effects. Its cardiovascular benefits & its ability to help prevent ulcer, effectively opens & drains congested nasal passages.

Zucchini - A good source of Vitamin C, powerful anti oxidant and anti inflammatory.

Wheatgrass - is a food prepared from the cotyledons of the common wheat plant, Triticum aestivum. It is sold either as a juice or powder concentrate. Wheatgrass differs from wheat malt in that it is served freeze-dried or fresh, while wheat malt is convectively dried. Wheatgrass is also allowed to grow longer than malt is. It provides chlorophyll, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and enzymes. Claims about the health benefits of wheatgrass range from providing supplemental nutrition to having unique curative properties. Some consumers grow and juice wheatgrass in their homes. It is often available in juice bars, alone or in mixed fruit or vegetable drinks. It is also available in many health food stores as fresh produce, tablets, frozen juice and powder.