Author Archives: mojo

19 Mar

Best Mangoes For Mango Juice And How To Choose Them

Making fresh fruit juice at home allows you to maximize the benefits of drinking fresh fruit juice without being subject to extra sugar and preservatives. Tropical fruits, like mangoes provide you with a fresh way to wake up or are perfect for a sweet, summery juice cocktail. Mangoes are also an excellent source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and potassium.

Types of Mangoes

Most of the mangoes available in United States grocery stores and produce markets fall into one of six categories. Of the six most common types of mangoes, four kinds are recommended for juicing. The best mangoes for juicing include Francis, Ataulfo, Keitt and Kent mangoes. Other mangoes may feature flesh pock-marked with fibers making them difficult to juice. Always just a high quality juicer when working with mangoes.

Francis mangoes are characterized by a sweet and slightly spicy flavor. The Francis mangoes feature an oblong shape and a bright, yellow skin. Francis mangoes also feature green overtones that diminish as the fruit ripens. Francis mangoes most often come from Hati and are typically available May through July.

Ataulfo mangoes are identified by their small, oval shape and bright, yellow skin. As they ripen, the skin changes to a deep, gold color. Ataulfo mangoes are excellent for juicing based on their sweet, creamy flavor and smooth, firm texture. Hailing from Mexico, Ataulfo mangoes are available from March to July.

best mangoes for juicing

One of the best mangoes for juicing is the Keitt mango, also known as the Asian mango. The Keitt mango features light, sweet flavor and juicy, firm flesh with few fibers. Keitt mangoes feature green to dark green skin that remains this color even as they ripen.

Kent mangoes, like the Keitt variety, sports a green skin. As they ripen, Kent mangoes develop a yellow dots or undertones. According to the National Mango Board, Kent mangoes are the best mangoes for juicing. They feature a sweet taste and a smooth flesh with very few fibers.

Selecting A Mango

Unlike some fruits, color is not the most important indicator of a ripe mango. To select a ripe, ready-to-juice mango, pick up the fruit and squeeze it gently. A ripe mango will give slightly, indicating the fruit is ready to consume. As they continue to ripen, mangoes often begin to feel soft in a similar fashion to peaches and avocados. You may also want to give your mango a big sniff. Ripe mangoes omit a fragrant, fruity smell from the stem-end as they ripen. Always be sure to peel your mango and remove the inner pit before adding the fruit to the juicer.

Resources: 
National Mango Board: How to Choose a Mango http://www.mango.org/retail/how-choose-mango
National Mango Board: Varieties and Availability http://www.mango.org/varieties-and-availability

19 Mar

Cranberry Juice Side Effects – Can You Drink Too Much Of It?

Though there are numerous benefits to drinking cranberry juice, overconsumption of the beverage can lead to some unpleasant cranberry juice side effects. In addition, there are certain drug interactions with the juice of which its drinkers need to be aware. Read on to learn about what to be wary of when drinking cranberry juice.

Stomach Problems

For people that drink a lot of cranberry juice, stomach problems may develop. These include diarrhea, loose stool, and an upset stomach. These are the most common cranberry juice side effects.

Diabetes Complications

Many cranberry juices can have a very high sugar content, and this can cause complications for people who suffer from diabetes. Luckily, many manufacturers offer sugar-free version of their cranberry juices, so people with diabetes can look for those.

Cranberry juice side effects

Kidney Stones

There are chemicals in cranberry juice called oxalates. A high concentration of oxalates in the body has been associated with an increased risk of forming kidney stones. As anyone who has had one will say, kidney stones are one of the most painful things in the world. Anyone that has a history of kidney stones should check with a doctor before beginning to drink large amounts of cranberry juice.

Cranberry Juice Side Effects And Drug Interactions

People that are taking any kind of blood thinner need to be careful when drinking cranberry juice. The mixing of cranberry juice and a blood-thinning medication can lead to excessive bleeding if the person becomes injured. It may be severe enough that the bleeding will not stop without taking a medication to reverse the symptoms, so anyone on a blood thinner should be sure to consult with their doctor before mixing the two. In addition, drinking cranberry juice will sometimes negatively interact with many medications for liver disease, so patients on medications that affect the liver should consult a doctor before mixing them with cranberry juice.

Allergic Reactions

Those that are allergic to a species of berries called Vaccinum should not drink cranberry juice, because the cranberry is a member of the species. Also, anyone with an allergy to aspirin should avoid consuming cranberry juice, because it is likely they will experience a reaction to cranberry juice as well. Anyone that experiences shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing or a constricted throat immediately after drinking cranberry juice should head immediately for the emergency room, because it is most likely an allergic reaction to the cranberry.

19 Mar

Lime Juice Side Effects: Can You Drink Too Much Lime Juice?

Lime juice can be a refreshing and healthful drink to enjoy, offering many health benefits to you with regular intake. However, as with many other foods and drinks, there are lime juice side effects to consider if you drink too much of it.

Many people use lime juice because it has the ability to purge your digestive system of waste and act as a cleanse. Yet if you drink too much of it, unpleasant lime juice side effects may result through this cleansing process. Drinking too much of this beverage has been known to keep people in the bathroom as their body goes through a cleansing process.

Further, lime juice is a highly acidic drink, and so those who suffer from acid reflux or sour stomach may be more inclined to have stomach upset and acid-related issues after drinking too much of this juice.

lime juice side effects

Altogether, this is a very healthful drink, but it is often best consumed in moderation to avoid negative side effects associated with over-consumption.

18 Mar

Best Carrots For Carrot Juice And How To Choose Them

The best carrots for juicing are the Nantes types, which are cylindrical and have blunt tips, but are the sweetest of the carrots, with good texture. Nantes carrots absorb more water and are both more succulent and crisp than other varieties of carrots. They also have fewer terpenoids, which is a substance that can make the juice of other carrots taste soapy and turpentine-like after they’re put through the juicer.

Harvesting and Storing Carrots

If you choose to grow your carrots in the garden, you should gently pull them out by their green tops. Newer variety carrots shouldn’t be allowed to grow fatter than one and a half inches across, or they’ll become woody and not very good for juicing. Some older varieties are still fairly succulent when they’re large.

If the carrots are grown in the garden or bought with their green tops, the green tops should be removed. The carrots shouldn’t be washed before storing. Ideally, they should be stored in sawdust or sand before they’re used. Some people do add the greens to the juicer, however, for they’re perfectly edible and give the juice the tang of parsley.

best carrots for juicing

Choosing The Best Carrots For Juice

If the carrots are store bought, it’s best to buy organic, for they won’t have to be peeled to rid them of the pesticides in their skin. The greens should be fluffy, short and bright.

Some of the Best Carrot Varieties For Juicing

Some of the best carrots for juicing are the Bolero, a bright orange Nantes type. The Ingot is another good Nantes carrot with a good flavor and texture. One of the most popular carrots that people grow in their gardens is the Nantes Half-Long, also called the Coreless and Scarlet Nantes, which is very sweet, tender and has no fibrous core, which is another plus for juicing. The Touchon is a sweet, French Nantes type and is especially good for the juicer. The Nelson is an early carrot and many gardeners claim that it’s one of the sweetest.

18 Mar

Jackfruit Juice Side Effects: Can You Drink Too Much Of It?

All natural juices usually are not thought of as being potentially dangerous. But the old saying does indeed stand true, too much of a good thing can be bad for you. The natural juice of the jackfruit is indeed beneficial when consumed in moderate quantities in an individual’s diet. Jackfruit juice side effects include but are not limited to: its side effects on sexual health, drug interactions, and any interactions with herbal supplements that are taken.

Jackfruit juice side effects can be more severe in individuals with birch pollen allergies, and should be consumed cautiously because of the risk of side effects that may arise out of a reaction of birch pollen allergy. In addition the consumption of jackfruit may increase coagulation of the blood. This can be dangerous for patients with blood disorders, and the negative effect that increased blood coagulation can have on these patients. In addition, the jackfruit juice side effects include the alteration of glucose tolerance. This is especially dangerous for patients with diabetes. It is because of this side effect on glucose, that patients with diabetes should consult their doctor before consuming jackfruit juice in any quantity.

Jackfruit juice side effects

Jackfruit Seeds

In addition to the consumption of the jackfruit juice, the jackfruit seeds can also have immunostimulative side effects. This is vital information and a great concern for patients that are currently taking immunosuppression drugs or therapy. The jackfruit seeds can come in contact with the juice throughout the juicing process, and their potential negative side effects can affect patients with transplanted tissues.

Jackfruit And Sexual Health

Drinkers of jackfruit juice that are attempting to get pregnant should drink this juice with caution, as it has been reported to decrease the libido, inhibit sexual arousal, sexual vigor and overall sexual performance. It can also cause mild erectile dysfunction in males. Even so, it does not show any evidence of effecting ejaculation or fertility.

Jackfruit juice side effects combined with other drugs and supplements

Jackfruit juice should be consumed cautiously when consuming herbs or supplements that aide in the antifungal activity. This is true because of the risk that the consumption of the jackfruit juice increasing the growth of Fusarium moniliforme and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In addition, the consumption of jackfruit juice can increase the health risk of bleeding, in those that are currently taking drugs that also increase the risk of bleeding. Some common examples of such drugs include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners), warfarin, or heparin. Additional examples include ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, and naproxen.

As with anything, everything in moderation seems to be the key to avoiding the negative side effects of a beneficial natural fruit. Caution should be taken when consuming jackfruit juice, because unfortunately there is too much of a good thing. As always, a family practitioner should be consulted when in doubt.

17 Mar

Cherry Juice Side Effects – Can You Drink Too Much Of It?

As a beverage that has recently increased in popularity, cherry juice has drawn the attention of many consumers due to its potential health benefits. While cherry juice may be a healthy addition to the average diet, consumption of cherry juice may not be recommended for everyone. Possible side effects of consuming cherry juice may include allergies and gastrointestinal problems.

When consuming any plant food, it is possible to develop an allergy. Therefore, it is possible to develop an allergy to cherry juice. As with other food allergies, indications of a cherry juice allergy tend to manifest as oral symptoms. In particular, those who suffer from hay fever allergies may also find that they have an allergic reaction to fresh cherry juice. This may also be the case for those who are allergic to apples, plums, hazelnuts, zucchini, bananas, and peaches. The good news for those who enjoy cherry juice but are concerned about cherry juice side effects is that allergies tend to only be triggered by juice that is derived from fresh cherries. Cooking tends to destroy the proteins that are responsible for allergy symptoms. Symptoms which may indicate a cherry juice allergy may include swollen lips and an itchy mouth and throat which may spread to the ears.

Cherry juice side effects

Because cherries are acidic, frequent and daily consumption of cherry juice may result in an upset stomach. When consumed with other fruits and vegetables, drinking large amounts of cherry juice may also result in diarrhea and upset stomach.

Most people will find cherry juice to be a palatable, if not highly nutritional, addition to their diet. However, in some cases, cherry juice side effects may occur. For most people, these side effects tend to not be very severe. But, as with any adverse health reaction, consumers should reduce their intake and seek medical advice should they experience symptoms after drinking cherry juice.

16 Mar

Best Blueberries For Blueberry Juice And How To Choose Them

Aah! The taste of fresh blueberry juice. When juicing your own fruit juices, it can’t get any better than a bold, fresh taste full of flavor and nutrients. Using blueberry juice as your base, and mixing it with the juice from other fruits, can create quite a stunning mixture. Try pairing blueberries with plum, apple, pear, or other berries.

Blueberry Varieties

The North American harvest season for blueberries is anywhere from May through September. To get the cheapest and best blueberries for juicing, try to purchase berries during this time. There are nearly 20 different species of blueberries, a native fruit to North America. If you are planting your own blueberry bushes, there are easily 50 different plant varieties from which to choose.

The four basic varieties are highbush, half-high, lowbush, and rabbiteye. The most popular types are highbush and lowbush. Highbush blueberries are most commonly found in grocery stores and are believed to be among the best blueberries for juicing, due to their large size and juice content. Lowbush, or wild blueberries, are often found in the freezer section, but are not recommended for putting into your juicer.

Best blueberries for juice

What to Look For

Look for blueberries with a powder-blue color (not too light or too dark), firm (not too hard or too mushy), and uniform in size (not too small or too big). Wild blueberries tend to be smaller, firmer, less juicy, and tangier in flavor with some sweet and some sour.

Choosing the best berries for your juicer will result in the best juice possible. Fresh blueberries from your local produce supplier will yield the highest amounts of juice for your homemade blueberry juice recipes. Happy juicing!

16 Mar

Cucumber Juice Side Effects – Can You Drink Too Much Of It?

Cucumber juice side effects are nonexistent. There are no negative cucumber juice side effects. The human body is easily able to absorb only the vitamins and nutrients it needs from cucumbers and cucumber juice. The body is just as able to then get rid of what it does not need from excess of it.

If cucumber juice quenches one’s thirst, drink up! It is very healthy, refreshing and a great way to cleanse one’s palate. Cucumber juice is also a great topical treatment for skin as well. It is safe to enjoy as much cucumber juice as you desire.

Cucumbers

15 Mar

Tangerine Juice Side Effects – Can You Drink Too Much Of It?

There are health benefits when you drink the juice but there are also some tangerine juice side effects you should know about when you consume too much of this juice.

Health Problems that Can Occur

If you have an allergy to tangerines, it may cause a skin rash because of the oil in the fruit. It can also cause problems with bowel movements if you drink too much. This can lead to issues with a person’s gastrointestinal system and also cause intestinal problems.

Warnings for Excessive Consumption

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, drinking too much tangerine juice may cause a stimulation of cytochrome P450 which is needed to absorb medications or agents given to patients. It is advised for a pregnant woman or breastfeeding woman stay away from tangerine juice.

tangerine juice side effects

Prescription Drug and Supplement Reactions

The effects of drinking too much juice include additive effects when using antibiotics and it can possibly decrease cholesterol levels excessively. Another one of many tangerine juice side effects includes the inability to absorb prescription drugs into the blood. This means the effect of the drug to benefit the user is decreased.

15 Mar

Best Grapes For Grape Juice And How To Choose Them

Grape varieties may be more commonly associated with wine than juice, but grape juice is refreshing treat that can easily be made at home. While the most common red and green grape varieties make delicious snacks, they are unsuitable for juicing. The following guide can help you choose the best grapes for juicing so you can enjoy a tall glass of sweet and tangy grape juice at home.

Concord Grapes

These small dark grapes are the most popular American variety and are much hardier than European varieties. Widely regarded as the best grapes for juicing, Concord grapes have a sweet and slightly tart flavor that also makes delicious jellies and jams. The grapes create the quintessential taste and color that most people associate with grape juice. Grown in the northern and midwestern regions of the United States, these grapes are readily available throughout the year but are best from late summer to mid-fall.

Niagara Grapes

Stemming from New York, these white grapes are one of the best grapes for juicing because of their light and sweet flavor that is more mild than other varieties. The white fruit also yields a lighter-colored juice that is less likely to cause stains than purple varieties like the Concord.

Delaware Grapes

Grown throughout the northeast region of the United States, Delaware grapes are great for juicing because of their juicy flesh and sweet taste. These lovely grapes are smaller than the aforementioned varieties and are pinkish in color. Delaware grapes ripen quickly in late summer and early fall and yield a light-colored juice that will not stain the hands that made it.

best grapes for juicing

Choosing Grapes for Juicing

Concord, Niagara and Delaware grapes reach their peak around late summer and last until mid-fall. Many people believe that grapes can be immediately placed in the juicer as soon as they turn color, but even darkened grapes can yield a bitter and sour juice.

For best results, choose grapes mid-season that feel firm. Sample a few grapes from each cluster, as not all of the grapes will ripen at the same time. Look for seeds that are brown and mature instead of light tan or green. The ease in which the grapes come off of the cluster is another indication of ripeness. Ripe grapes can be removed easily without much resistance.

Before putting your grapes in the juicer, wash them throughly and remove the stems. Concord, Delaware and Niagara grapes are easy to skin and only the flesh should be placed in the juicer.