Carrots are one of the healthy and affordable foods. It contains organic acids, trace elements and vitamins.
Therefore, the root vegetable has a beneficial effect on the body and prevents the development of certain diseases. In addition, there are practically no contraindications for use.
Freshly squeezed carrot juice contains only 50 calories per 100 ml. The drink strengthens the immune system, improves vision, helps with diabetes, has a beneficial effect on the condition of nails and hair, and also improves the functioning of the nervous system. Some people use it for weight loss.
Carrot juice is easy to make yourself at home. There are many options for preparing a healthy drink. In today's article we will look at several simple recipes.
How to prepare carrot juice for the winter at home using a juicer
Thanks to modern technological developments, the life of housewives has become easier. After all, kitchen equipment allows you to save energy and time. This way we can make a healthy drink very quickly and easily.
Ingredients:
- 1 kg carrots;
- 100 g granulated sugar;
- 2 g citric acid;
- 200 ml water.
When preparing a large volume of juice, increase the amount of products as a percentage.
Preparation:
- Peel off the top layer of carrots and rinse thoroughly under running water;
- We send it to the juicer and wait for it to finish its work;
- Pour the juice into a clean container and set aside for 30-40 minutes to infuse;
- Strain through gauze folded in several layers;
- We have a concentrate, so it should be broken up with cold water (200 ml), which should be boiled in advance;
- Pour the liquid into a saucepan, put it on the stove and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat so that there is no strong boiling, and cook for about 10 minutes;
- Place citric acid and granulated sugar into a saucepan;
- Remove from heat when the sugar crystals have completely dissolved;
- Pour into glass jars and cover with a lid;
- Sterilize in the container for 25 minutes after the water boils;
After completing all the procedures, close the jars tightly with metal lids, and after cooling, put them in a cool place for long-term storage.
Fresh food in complementary foods: is it possible or not?
The age when a child can be given carrot juice is 12 months. In this case, you should dilute it with water until a weak taste is obtained, and also adhere to the following rules:
- The drink should be natural and freshly squeezed (after 20 minutes all beneficial properties decrease several times).
- Introduce into the diet gradually.
- Up to 2 years old, give the baby no more than 50 ml.
- The frequency of consumption of fresh carrots is no more than 1 time per week.
Do not experiment on your baby. Up to 6 months, children should only know the taste of breast milk, and after that they can slowly introduce complementary foods.
How to make juice from pumpkin, carrots and apples
A drink prepared according to the following recipe is useful in winter, when the body is deficient in vitamins and also needs to further strengthen the immune system.
Ingredients:
- 1 small pumpkin;
- 4 carrots;
- 4 apples;
- Granulated sugar according to preference.
You can change the quantity of products according to your preferences. But you need to understand that pumpkin has a rich taste, so it should not be added in large quantities.
Preparation:
- First wash the apples under running water. Then we cut into slices, cut out the core with seeds, as well as the stalk;
- Peel off the top layer of clean carrots and cut into cubes;
- Peel the pumpkin, then cut the pulp into cubes;
- We pass the prepared products one by one or together through a juicer into one bowl or bowl;
- Mix the juice well and add to the pan. Bring the liquid to a boil to increase shelf life;
- Pour in granulated sugar and stir. When the crystals are completely dissolved, remove the pan from the stove;
- We pour the drink into jars, which must be sterilized in advance;
- Close the lid tightly.
A glass bottle is suitable as a storage container. The healthy drink is ready to drink.
Fresh vegetable juices: to drink or not to drink
All fresh vegetable juices boast an excellent chemical composition. In this case, we are talking not only about vitamins, macro- and microelements, but also phytoncides - the so-called “natural antibiotics” that kill bacteria and can help in the treatment of many serious diseases. We should not forget about dietary fiber, which works as a natural scrub for the body, binding and naturally removing waste and toxins.
Thus, just 150 g of freshly squeezed carrot juice contains the daily requirement of vitamin A. Fresh juices made from green vegetables (broccoli, cucumbers, zucchini, savoy cabbage) boast a high chlorophyll content. Its composition is identical to one of the elements of blood - hemoglobin, and therefore, firstly, it is easily absorbed by the body, and secondly, it is useful for people suffering from anemia. Also, juices from green vegetables help cleanse the liver and help prevent cancer.
Tomato juice is a storehouse of lycopene, which effectively slows down cell aging and increases the body's resistance. Thanks to its chemical composition, fresh potato will come to the aid of hypertensive patients, as it helps normalize blood pressure. Fresh cabbage contains as much vitamin C as lemon, so it will be a good help during the cold season, when we are most vulnerable to the flu and ARVI.
It should be noted that vegetable juices, according to doctors and nutritionists, are characterized by a low content of herbicides, even if the vegetables from which they were prepared were grown using a significant amount of chemicals. The thing is that when vegetable juice is properly prepared, all toxic substances remain in the so-called “cake” - waste from the production of fresh juice.
The thing is that when vegetable juice is properly prepared, all toxic substances remain in the so-called “cake” - waste from the production of fresh juice.
That is why nutritionists emphasize that, in order to be one hundred percent sure of the quality of fresh vegetable juice, it is better to prepare it at home, using vegetables purchased from sellers you trust.
Of course, many people think that they shouldn’t complicate their lives by wasting time preparing fresh vegetables at home. Moreover, the process of preparing juice, for example, from celery or parsley, is long and troublesome. Is the game worth the candle?
We won’t deny that it’s much easier to just buy a package of the drink in a store. However, even an inexperienced person, having compared the taste characteristics of a product purchased at a retail outlet with fresh juice prepared with his own hands, will understand that this is literally heaven and earth.
Juices produced industrially retain only a small fraction of the substances that vegetables received from nature. But “caring” manufacturers generously add preservatives, sugar, flavorings, dyes, and other substances that have absolutely no business in juices. They will not bring any benefit to the body, but they can provoke allergic reactions and problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
In addition, in industrial production no one meticulously examines every carrot or potato, and therefore, for the preparation of juices, not only fresh and healthy fruits are used, but also those that have become stale or have begun to deteriorate.
Often opponents of consuming fresh juices insist that all the same beneficial substances, vitamins and minerals can be obtained without “dancing with a tambourine” around the juicer - just eat vegetables. Yes, indeed, vegetables should be present in our diet regularly, but the fact of the matter is that a person is simply not able to eat enough cabbage and carrots to get the amount of nutrients contained in fresh carrots or cabbage.
Moreover, juices, unlike vegetables in their “natural” form, are very quickly absorbed by the body, take part in metabolic processes, and help restore the acid-base balance. At the same time, fresh juices do not require energy expenditure for a long digestion process, like vegetables themselves.
How to make apple-carrot juice without sugar at home
This drink can be made at any time or prepared for the winter. It is very tasty, so both children and adults like it, but for some stomach diseases it is contraindicated, this should be taken into account.
Ingredients:
- Carrot;
- Apples.
No other products required. Take fruits in equal quantities.
Preparation:
- We wash and clean fruits and vegetables. Cut out the core of the apples. There is no need to remove the peel;
- Now we pass it through the juicer one by one and pour it into the pan. Don’t throw away carrot pulp; it makes delicious pies and pancakes;
- Bring the juice to a boil and be sure to remove the resulting foam. After a couple of minutes, remove from the stove;
- Pour into sterilized jars or bottles;
- Close the lids securely;
- Cover the containers with a towel and leave until completely cool.
You can store the workpiece at room temperature; it will not deteriorate for a long time.
How to make carrot juice without a juicer
Not every home has kitchen equipment for making healthy drinks. But this will not prevent you from preparing juice for the winter. Therefore, take note of the following step-by-step recipe.
Ingredients:
- 1 kg carrots;
- 1 tsp citric acid;
- 1 cup of sugar.
Preparation:
- Be sure to peel the carrots and then chop them on a coarse grater;
- Place in a saucepan and cover completely with water;
- Bring the liquid to a boil, cook for about 15 minutes;
- Remove from heat and use a blender to bring to a homogeneous mass;
- Add granulated sugar with citric acid, mix thoroughly;
- Bring to a boil again, skim off the foam and cook for 3-5 minutes;
- Carefully distribute into jars, which we first sterilize along with the lids;
- Seal tightly and cover with a warm blanket.
After cooling, put it in the cellar or pantry. Now in winter you will not experience vitamin deficiency.
How to prepare carrot juice with pulp for the winter
The vegetable drink will be even healthier if you prepare it with pulp, that is, we will not use a juicer. It's very easy to cook and you don't need any special skills.
Ingredients:
- 3 kg carrots;
- 4 tbsp granulated sugar;
- 4 liters of water.
Preparation:
- Cut the peeled carrots into small cubes;
- Place into a blender bowl. To make the equipment work easier, add water (about 1 liter per 1 kg of vegetables). Grind for a few minutes;
- Pour into a saucepan and place on the stove. After boiling, remove the foam and cook the carrot mixture until tender;
- Remove from heat, let cool slightly and beat with a mixer until a homogeneous mixture is obtained;
- Meanwhile, prepare the syrup. To do this, add sugar to a container with a liter of water, mix and bring to a boil;
- Place the liquid mass back on the stove and pour in the syrup. After boiling, cook over low heat for about 5 minutes;
- Distribute into sterile jars and seal.
Before use, dilute the concentrate with pulp with water or some juice, preferably apple juice.
Carrot and beet juice recipe
Some people wonder why it is better to juice rather than eat the fruits fresh. The fact is that it takes a lot of energy to digest solid food, and the drink only lacks fiber, which performs only one function - cleanses the body. It should be noted that such juice is not only healthy, but also has certain contraindications.
Ingredients:
- Carrot;
- Beet.
The drink contains nothing else, but it is rich in useful substances.
Preparation:
- Preparing the vegetables. That is, we rinse under running water and clean;
- Separately pass through a juicer;
- Mix the carrot mixture with the beetroot mixture in a ratio of 3 to 1.
It is recommended to consume the drink fresh, so make it as needed. Once again, I want to note that this juice has contraindications; if you have chronic diseases, consult your doctor. Never self-medicate.
Treatment options
Treatment with carrot juice involves its regular consumption orally. In this way, digestive disorders, pancreatitis, and oncology of the larynx and stomach can be cured. Carrot juice is known to prevent the development of liver metastases, helping to prolong the life of terminally ill people. Reception regimens may be as follows:
Healing drinks are drunk in small sips. For better absorption of nutrients, add a spoonful of vegetable oil or cream. After consumption, it is advisable not to eat anything for half an hour.
To improve your health, carrot juice is used externally - for rinsing and instillation into the nose. For severe sore throat, the juice is used as a gargle. Along with carrot rinses, juice from cabbage and potatoes is used, alternating procedures. For a runny nose, drop a mixture of carrot juice and honey into your nose. Nectar is also used to treat the oral cavity when the mucous membrane is affected by stomatitis.
Carrot juice with apples: finger-licking recipe
Not every person likes a drink made only from carrots. But you can add sourness to it by adding seasonal apples. In addition, it contains many vitamins and strengthens the immune system in winter.
Ingredients for 1 liter of juice:
- 1.3 kg apples;
- 1 kg carrots.
The taste of the drink can be adjusted by changing the ratio of products in the composition.
Preparation:
- We thoroughly wash the fruits and scald them with boiling water;
- Cut the carrots into pieces and put them through a juicer. About 400 ml of juice is obtained from 1 kg of vegetables;
- Cut the apples into slices and squeeze out the juice. They are juicier, so one kilogram produces 500 ml of liquid;
- Pour into a saucepan and bring to a boil;
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the foam, reduce the heat to low and cook for five minutes;
- Pour into sterile containers and close tightly with lids;
- Turn it upside down. After cooling, put it in a cool place.
Heat treatment practically does not reduce the beneficial properties of the product.
How to make pumpkin-carrot juice with pulp at home
We cannot ignore another recipe for a wonderful drink. It can be eaten fresh or stored in jars for the winter. The process is quite simple and fast.
Ingredients:
- 4 kg pumpkin pulp;
- 2 kg carrots;
- 1 lemon;
- 4 oranges;
- 650 g granulated sugar.
Preparation:
- Peel the pumpkin and pass it through a juicer;
- In a similar way, squeeze the juice from carrots and peeled oranges;
- Pour into one pan and add twice as much water as juice;
- Add citrus peels, sugar, and the juice of half a lemon. Mix everything and bring to a boil;
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the fruit peel;
- Pour the drink into jars and roll up the metal lids.
The homemade drink can be stored throughout the winter.
Carrot juice recipe for children
If children do not have gastrointestinal problems, diabetes, allergies or chronic diseases, then vegetable juice, which contains substances that have a beneficial effect on overall health, will be beneficial.
The only ingredients we need are carrots. Choose fruits with a smooth surface, bright color and without visible defects. We wash the vegetables using a brush. Then we clean off the top layer.
Cut off the tail and cut out the core. If you bought carrots in a store, you should soak them in cold water for a couple of hours to get rid of nitrates.
Grind on a fine grater and then filter through cheesecloth. If you decide to make juice using a blender or juicer, the drink will need to be strained in any case.
Pour into a glass container and store in the refrigerator. The drink must be consumed within two hours, no later.
Beneficial properties of tropical fruit
Bananas are included in a variety of blender drinks and juices. They contain vitamins A, group B, C, as well as fruit acids, fiber, potassium and peptides. The fruits consist entirely of carbohydrates and have the following beneficial properties:
- relieve nervous tension;
- strengthen the immune system;
- regulate water-salt balance;
- help with urolithiasis;
- increase muscle mass, which is important for athletes;
- relieve constipation;
- help concentrate attention and increase performance.
It is not advisable for those who have diabetes to eat bananas, because they increase blood sugar levels. The way out of this situation is to boil the fruits before eating.
In order to make juice from bananas in a blender, you need to cut the bananas into not too large pieces and grind them in a blender to obtain banana puree. You can make the drink more liquid by combining it with other juices, for example, carrot, strawberry or apple. It is worth noting that beneficial substances will be better absorbed from juice, because its pulp will not irritate the intestinal mucosa.
How to make carrot juice in a blender
If you are trying to eat healthy and take care of your health, then you will love this fresh juice recipe. Just first make sure that you have no contraindications.
Ingredients;
- 3 carrots;
- 500 ml water;
- 15 ml lemon juice;
- 5 mg ginger root;
- Ice optional.
Preparation:
- Wash and peel medium-sized carrots. Cut into small pieces and place in a blender bowl;
- Pour out the required amount of water;
- Add other ingredients and ice as desired;
- Turn on the equipment and grind the ingredients until a homogeneous mass is formed.
It is recommended to make this drink immediately before use, as it is not intended for long-term storage.
Contraindications
Patients with diseases of the pancreas, intestines, peptic ulcers, and also those suffering from high acidity of the stomach should treat this product with great caution. And it’s even better if they refuse to drink freshly squeezed juice altogether.
Diabetics should also be very careful with fresh carrots and must strictly follow the instructions of their doctor.
For a healthy person, an overdose of vitamin A will cause headaches, nausea, and even vomiting. All these are clear signs of intoxication of the body.
So, we found out that the standard rate for drinking juice is one glass per day. It is recommended to drink in the morning before meals.
Recipe for carrot juice in a juicer
An experienced housewife always prepares some juice for the winter. If you want to get the highest quality and natural product, then use a juicer for cooking.
For cooking we will not use anything except carrots. Choose juicy and bright fruits without dents or damage.
First, you need to thoroughly wash the juicer and hose with hot water. Then fill it with water and wait for it to boil. Peel the carrots, cut into pieces and place in boiling water. We close the equipment and shut off the hose. Cook for 30-60 minutes.
Ready juice no longer requires sterilization. Therefore, we distribute it into jars, seal it tightly and leave to cool.
Now you know several ways to make carrot juice at home. Try using several recipes and empirically determine the most suitable option.
About the composition of the product
Based on observations and noticing the beneficial effects of carrots, the ancient Egyptians began to use carrot juice for treatment. They considered it the elixir of youth and longevity. In Rome, carrot juice was revered as a purely feminine drink, which helped to conceive and bear a healthy baby, recover after childbirth, and later, preserve women’s health and fertility function. It is known that Greek women used the orange drink to beauty their own skin and hair. In addition to a radiant skin color, the drink gave them protection from the sun's rays.
We can talk for a long time about the beneficial properties experienced by our ancestors, but modernity has opened up enormous opportunities for humanity. Now they speak confidently and reasonably about the benefits of carrot juice, because all the healing properties have been proven by scientific studies of the chemical composition of the drink. It includes the following components.
- Flavonoids. Bioactive compounds that stimulate the secretory function of the digestive organs and normalize low acidity. They help ferment and digest food. These same components have a beneficial effect on the state of the cardiovascular system: they eliminate increased blood clotting, strengthen vascular walls, and regulate blood pressure.
- Anthocyanins. The coloring substances in carrots are powerful antioxidants with antitumor properties. They suppress the growth of malignant structures, prevent metastasis, and improve the recognition of atypical cells by immune agents.
- Phytoncides. Carrot juice has been proven to contain compounds with antimicrobial properties. By their nature, they resemble the active substances of onions and garlic. Their content determines the ability of carrots to prevent viral and bacterial diseases.
- Squirrels. The amino acid composition of carrot juice ensures that the body is supplied with all the necessary compounds for normal enzyme synthesis and improved metabolism.
- Organic acids. Despite their content in small quantities, these compounds affect the functioning of the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract, stimulating excretory processes. As a result, the movement of the food bolus through the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) improves, and the cleansing of the body from excess fluid is normalized.
- Pectins. Helps cleanse the body of waste and toxins. They work like a sponge, absorbing decay products of organic compounds, waste products of bacteria, metal salts and other “bad” substances that clog the body from the inside.
- Plant fibers. They also participate in the process of stimulating the secretion of gastric juice, bile, and pancreatic enzymes, and activate peristalsis, launching the natural processes of cleansing the body.
In addition to its rich biologically active composition, carrot juice contains vitamins and mineral compounds necessary for the normal functioning of the human body.
Vitamins
The highest concentrations in carrot juice are the group of carotenes - these are provitamins A. It is known that carrot juice contains all types of carotene, which ensures its maximum absorption. Vitamin A has antioxidant properties, regulates the process of epithelization of the skin and mucous membranes, accelerates the granulation of damaged tissues, ensuring rapid healing of injuries. In addition, the vitamin suppresses the growth of atypical cells, helps maintain sharp vision, and normalizes the activity of secretory cells. Carrot juice also contains a lot of vitamin C and PP. This combination has the following properties:
- strengthens the immune system;
- improves the condition of blood vessels;
- normalizes central and peripheral blood flow;
- has antioxidant activity.
Of the nutrients, carrot juice is rich in B vitamins. They are active regulators of lipid, fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism, participants in the construction of the myelin sheaths of nerve fibers. These substances tend to regulate the oiliness and condition of the skin, hair, and nails.
Macro- and microelements
Carrot juice has a rich mineral composition. It contains the following elements:
- calcium and fluorine - a balanced ratio of these substances determines the beneficial effect of the drink on the condition of bone and muscle tissue;
- iodine is an active protector of the body from radiation, as well as a stimulant of brain activity;
- chromium is a regulator of metabolic processes, a participant in insulin synthesis, an inhibitor of hunger attacks and cravings for sweet foods;
- iron is a component of hemoglobin that ensures a normal supply of oxygen to all tissues and organs;
- zinc is a structural component of the hair shaft and nail plate, a participant in hormonal synthesis and spermatogenesis;
- selenium is one of the most active antioxidants, taking part in almost all redox reactions of the body;
- copper is an essential element for the pancreas, necessary for the synthesis of enzymes.
Carrot juice contains many substances that the human body needs daily to perform its physiological functions. Natural combinations and balanced concentrations allow beneficial compounds to be absorbed as completely as possible.