Can drinking smoothies really make you healthier?

Health drinks such as smoothies and alike have taken our nation by storm. They are supposed to be an excellent way of getting that all important 5-a-day and packed with health-giving antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Knowing that you are being healthy is one thing but do these drinks actually make a difference to the way you feel in your everyday life? Armed with a juicer, recipe book and a fridge full of fruit and veg I pledge to drink at least 2 of these concoctions a day...

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Cure for disease?

Yes it's true eating a particular type of fruit or veg may help a number of medical conditions. Some common ailments and fruit and vegetable juices found beneficial in their treatment are mentioned below :


Acidity : Grapes, orange, mosambi, carrot and spinach.
Acne : Grapes, pear, plum, tomato, cucumber, carrot, potato and spinach.
Allergies : Apricot, grapes, carrot, beet and spinach.
Arteriosclerosis : Grapefruit, pineapple, lemon, celery, carrot, lettuce, and spinach.
Anaemia : Apricot, prune, strawberry, red grape, beet, celery, carrot and spinach.
Arthritis : Sour cherry, pineapple, sour apple, lemon, grapefruit, cucumber, beet, carrot, lettuce and spinach.
Asthma : Apricot, lemon, pineapple, peach, carrot, radish and celery.
Bronchitis : Apricot, lemon, pineapple, peach, tomato, carrot, onion and spinach.
Bladder Ailments : Apple, apricot, lemon, cucumber, carrot, celery, parsley and watercress.
Constipation : Apple, pear, grapes, lemon, carrot, beet, spinach and watercress.
Colitis : Apple, apricot, pear, peach, pineapple, papaya, carrot, beet, cucumber and spinach.

Diabetes : Citrus fruits, carrot, celery, lettuce and spinach.
Diarrhoea : Papaya, lemon, pineapple, carrot and celery.
Eczema : Red grapes, carrot, spinach, cucumber and beet.
Epilepsy : Red grapes, figs, carrot, celery and spinach.
Eye Disorders : Apricot, tomato, carrot, celery, parsley and spinach.
Gout : Red sour cherries, pineapple, tomato, cucumber, beet, carrot, celery and spinach.

Halitosis : Apple, grapefruit, lemon, pineapple, tomato, carrot, celery and spinach.
Headache : Grapes, lemon, carrot, lettuce and spinach.
Heart Disease : Red grapes, lemon, cucumber, carrot, beet and spinach.
High blood pressure : Grapes, orange, cucumber, carrot and beet.
Influenza : Apricot, orange, lemon, grapefruit, pineapple, carrot, onion and spinach.
Insomnia : Apple, grapes, lemon, lettuce, carrot and celery.
Jaundice : Lemon, grapes, pear, carrot, celery, spinach, beet and cucumber.
Kidney Disorders : Apple, orange, lemon, cucumber, carrot, celery, parsley and beet.
Liver ailments : Lemon, papaya, grapes, carrot, tomato, beet and cucumber.
Menstrual Disorders : Grapes, prunes, cherry, spinach, lettuce turnips and beet.
Menopausal Symptoms : Fruits and Vegetables in season.
Neuritis : Orange, pineapple, apple, carrot and beet.
Obesity : Lemon, grapefruit, orange, cherry, pineapple, papaya, tomato, beet, cabbage, lettuce, spinach and carrot.
Piles : Lemon, orange, papaya, pineapple, carrot, spinach, turnip and watercress.
Prostate Troubles : All fruit juices in season, carrot, asparagus, lettuce and spinach.
Psoriasis : Grapes, carrot, beet, and cucumber.
Rheumatism : Grapes, orange, lemon, grapefruit, tomato, cucumber, beet, carrot and spinach.

Stomach Ulcers : Apricot, grapes, cabbage and carrot.
Sinus Trouble : Apricot, lemon, tomato, carrot, onion and radish.
Sore Throat : Apricot, grapes, lemon, pineapple, prune, tomato, carrot and parsley.
Tonsillitis : Apricot, lemon, orange, grapefruit, pineapple, carrot, spinach and radish.
Varicose Veins : Grapes, orange, plum, tomato, beetroot carrot and watercress.


I braved a very strange juice for breakfast. It is called 'what's up broc' and as it was packed full of greens the healthiness of it tempted me. It was made with broccoli, carrots and beetroot (yes beetroot, again). I'm trying not to drink just the fruit juices as this limits the amount of vitamins and minerals you get. It would be nice to say I enjoyed this one, but I didn't. The problem with broccoli is that when you juice it you are left with lumps in the liquid, yes it was vile. I had one mouthful and couldn't drink anymore. Not even my dog was tempted by this one! It went straight down the sink and I had a normal breakfast! Rating 0/5


My next 'drink' of the day was 'apple and plum' and obviously, was made with plums and apples. This one did look strange but was very palatable. Rating 4/5

I went out and spent another £15 on fruit and vegetables today and so far the total cost has been about £80 which isn't too bad. I am finding that a lot of what I buy is going off before I get a chance to use it so I would recommend to everyone trying this to go to the supermarket about 3 times a week and only buy what you need for the next couple of days. Juice made with gone off, or past its best, produce is NOT nice, believe me.


Todays Ratings (out of 5)
Energy: 4
Hassle: 4
Benefits: 3

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