Carrot Juice 2 Ways: Carrot Cucumber and Carrot Beet Apple
Carrot juice is sweet, colorful and easy to make at home. Below are two recipes: a carrot and cucumber juice with lemon, ginger and turmeric, and a carrot, beet and apple juice. They are a tasty way to add vegetables to your day. Despite what many websites say, they do not “cleanse” your kidneys – and people with kidney disease should be especially careful with vegetable juices.
1. Carrot Cucumber Juice
Ingredients (2 glasses)
- 3 large carrots, washed and peeled
- 1 small cucumber
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger, grated
- ⅛ teaspoon of ground turmeric
How to make it
- Cut the carrots and cucumber into pieces.
- Blend them with the ginger, lemon juice and about 250 ml of water (or use a juicer).
- Strain if you prefer a smooth juice, stir in the turmeric and serve chilled. Drink the same day.
2. Carrot, Beet and Apple Juice
Ingredients (2–3 glasses)
- 2 medium beets, peeled
- 3 carrots, peeled
- 1 apple, peeled and cored
- 2–3 cm (1 inch) of fresh ginger
- Juice of 1 lemon (optional)
Juice everything in a juicer, or blend with about 300 ml of water and strain. Beets can turn your urine or stool pink or red for a day; this is harmless.
What these juices offer
- Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which the body uses to make vitamin A.
- Fresh juice adds vitamins and fluid, but straining removes most of the fiber. Keeping the pulp, or eating the vegetables whole, is better for fiber.
- Juice still contains natural sugar, especially with apple and beet. One glass with a meal is a sensible amount.
The “kidney cleanse” myth
Healthy kidneys filter your blood all day long; no juice or drink has been shown to “cleanse” them. Detox and cleanse products can even cause harm.
Who should be careful
- Kidney disease: carrots, beets and many vegetable juices are high in potassium, which may need to be limited. Ask your kidney care team before drinking vegetable juices.
- Kidney stones: beets are high in oxalate; if you have had kidney stones, ask your doctor.
- Diabetes: fruit and vegetable juices can raise blood sugar quickly; whole vegetables are a better choice.
This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have a health condition, take regular medicines, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding new drinks or supplements to your routine.
Sources
- NIDDK: Healthy Eating for Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease
- NCCIH: “Detoxes” and “Cleanses”: What You Need To Know
