The humble Brussels sprouts may not be the first vegetable we think of when it comes to highly nutritious and beneficial vegetable superfoods, but it certainly fulfills that criteria.
It is a superior source of glucosinolates: potent anti-cancer, anti-inflammation and pro-detoxification compounds found in cruciferous vegetables. In fact, Brussels sprouts have more glucosinolates than all the other cruciferous vegetables including kale, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli.
It's important to note that overcooking Brussels sprouts is essentially a death blow to these glucosinolate antioxidants and other antioxidants in Brussels sprouts. We don't have to concern ourselves with this though, we will be juicing them.
Read on to learn more about the amazing health benefits that juicing Brussels sprouts has to offer.
(Check out our bumper article about the 101 benefits of juicing).
Although native to the Mediterranean areas along with other species of cabbage, Brussels sprouts appeared first in northern Europe during the 5th century.
Later in the 13th century, they were cultivated near Brussels, hence their name.
1 cup (88 g)of chopped raw Brussels sprouts provides:
(Nutrition data provided by USDA)
Chronic inflammation is a key risk factor for numerous types of cancer.
Continued exposure to chronic OTC medications, environmental toxins, chronic lack of exercise, chronic stress, severe lack of sleep, and a poor diet all promote inflammation.
Fortunately, Brussels sprouts are one of the most anti-inflammatory of all the vegetables. They contain 3 nutrients that each combat inflammation in different ways:
Brussels sprout juice is an excellent source of vitamin K and a decent source of magnesium, calcium and phosphorous - all required for building healthy, strong bones.
Even though vitamin K is known for its blood clotting properties, it is also essential for bone mineralization.
Brussels sprouts and all vegetables of the cruciferous family are excellent aids to detoxification, especially Phase 2 detoxification.
Phase 1 is where the body breaks toxins down into smaller substances and makes them water-soluble.
Phase 2 detoxification takes these still harmful water-based toxins and binds them with specific nutrients, making them safe enough to be pushed to our kidneys and bowels to be excreted.
Brussels sprouts contain 2 important compounds that support Phase 2 detoxification: glucosinolates and sulfur. Sulfur is essential for Phase 2 detoxification!
Glucosinolates are a group of phytonutrients, that not only support this detoxification process but evidence from human studies shows that glucosinolates can be very effective at the detoxification of cancer-causing substances.
Given the detoxification power of Brussels sprouts and all cruciferous vegetables, it would be a good idea to add a variety of these vegetables to our juicing plans to support overall excellent health.
Some studies reveal that the high concentrations in Brussels sprouts may help protect us against certain kinds of cancer. This anti-cancer effect could work in several different ways.
A study conducted in 2008 discovered that Brussels sprouts can defend against cancer-causing agents and carcinogens and prevent oxidative cell damage, including DNA damage.
Like many green vegetables, particularly green cruciferous vegetables and leafy green vegetables, Brussels sprouts are a good source of vitamin K.
Essential for wound healing, the body cannot form blood clots effectively making it challenging to heal from bruises, cuts and scrapes.
Drinking Brussels sprout juice daily can be an excellent way to boost our immunity. Brussels sprouts are a source of two key immune-boosting vitamins: Vitamin C and B6.
Vitamin C: The classic "cold fighting" nutrient, vitamin C is a key component of cold and flu remedies both natural and pharmaceutical.
A study published in the Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism found evidence that vitamin C helps shorten the length and lessen symptoms of RTIs (respiratory tract infections) such as the common cold.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is key to supporting biochemical reactions of the immune system. The deficiency of this vitamin is directly related to a weak immune system. So a daily tasty Brussels sprout juice may be our immune system's best friend.
Brussels Sprout juice is a decent source of carotenoids and a good source of vitamin C, 2 plant-based antioxidants required for healthy, glowing and elasticated skin.
Research published in the European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics stated that diets rich in carotenoids -- including beta-carotene and other forms of carotenoids present in Brussels sprouts -- help ward off premature aging of the skin, cell damage, and various other types of disease related to the skin.
Vitamin C is a key component for healthy, vibrant skin. Without it, our bodies cannot create collagen, the elasticated material that keeps skin supple and youthful.
Give them a good rinse.
Cut off the base (the stalk) and remove any discolored or yellow leaves if there are any.
Depending on the type of juice machine you are using and the size of the chute you may need to half or quarter the sprouts. Enjoy!
The best quality Brussels sprouts are compact, firm and vividly green.
There should be no wilted or yellow leaves and free from a soft or puffy texture. If you see perforations in the leaves, steer clear of those too, it is likely an indicator of aphids.
Here are 5 Brussels sprout juice recipes you can enjoy at home and reap the amazing health benefits of this amazing cruciferous vegetable.
"That's all well and good you may say, but Brussels sprout juice ain't the most palate friendly".
Indeed, only those with the greatest constitutions may drink this juice solo; the solution for the rest of us is simply to mix it with pleasant-tasting juices.
Carrot is an excellent and sweet choice for a pure vegetable mix. If you want to mix it up with some fruit, then almost all fruits have the sweetness needed to offset the sour taste of the Brussels sprout juice.
I like apples and pears because they have a more "neutral" flavor that works with vegetable juices.
Remember though, take it easy on the fruit juice, it can seriously up your overall sugar intake if you overdo it!
This Brussels sprouts juice recipe keeps it simple- Brussels sprouts mixed with carrots.
Carrots are sweeter than Brussels sprouts and will counteract the sourness of pure Brussels sprouts juice.
This is a Brussels variation of the standard V8 juice to receive the health benefits of drinking Brussels sprouts juice in juncture with the amazing benefits of 7 other health-promoting veggies.
This powerful juice delivers an extraordinary variety of inflammations and cancer-fighting phytonutrients.
Sweeten that Brussels sprout juice with some healthy and tasty fruits.
Brussels sprouts are one of the most highly nutritious green vegetables.
Mix it with some green leafy vegetables and we have ourselves a green juice loaded with exquisite concentrations and a wide variety of phytonutrients.
The result is a juice that garners powerful anti-cancer benefits, alkalizes the body and delivers powerful anti-inflammatory benefits. Oh and let's add a few carrots to sweeten things up.
Enjoy the detox health benefits of Brussels sprouts juice plus the juice of other fruits and veggies with detox abilities.
Brussels sprout juice is rich in glucosinolates and sulfur-containing nutrients, both of which have been shown to have powerful detoxification effects.
Here we bolster our Brussels sprout juice benefits with another anti-cancer, anti-inflammation, pro-detoxification cruciferous vegetable - the cauliflower.
We even add the health benefits of sugar snap peas to the mix, and some carrots to sweeten up the juice.
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