What you drink may not be what you think you’re drinking…… Robek’s explores the difference.

Bottled ice teas and juice drinks, often enhanced with vitamins and herbs, have made their way onto supermarket and convenience store shelves in abundance. At first glance, they seem like a healthy alternative to soda, but did you know they can be loaded with just as much sugar and artificial flavoring?

Add all the extra vitamins and herbs you want: you still won’t get the natural nutrition and refreshment you would from fresh juice. Extracted from whole fruits and vegetables right in our stores, Robeks fresh-squeezed juices offer the quality nutrition that comes from foods close to nature. This natural nutrition is key for health and vitality, so read on for more juicy details about some of Robeks fresh-squeezed favorites!

Wheatgrass
Made from the tall, bright green grass you may have seen in our stores, wheatgrass juice has earned its reputation as one of the most nutritious and healthful of all juices. Just 1 oz of wheatgrass is the nutritional equivalent of 2 ? pounds of most vegetables! This juice is an excellent source of chlorophyll, a plant compound known for its healing, cleansing and rejuvenating properties. Chlorophyll is also believed to strengthen the blood: it contains a unique structure similar to hemoglobin, the substance that transports oxygen through the blood. In addition to chlorophyll, a 1-oz shot of wheatgrass juice offers an amazing array of vitamins (A, B-complex, E) and minerals, as well as enzymes, amino acids and phytochemicals.

Spinach
Leafy green juices like spinach contain some of the highest concentrations of amino acids found in any juice. Like wheatgrass juice, spinach juice contains chlorophyll, and is known as a potent cleanser and cell builder. Spinach juice is a good source of vitamin A and B-complex vitamins, as well as the minerals calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and sodium. This juice is known to stimulate and tone the liver, gall bladder, large intestine, as well as enhance blood and lymph circulation. Spinach juice is also good for strengthening teeth and gums due to its high concentration of alkaline minerals. It’s great when mixed with other juices, since you only need a little to reap the potent health benefits.

Celery
Also containing some chlorophyll, celery juice has a high concentration of alkaline minerals like sodium. The minerals contained in celery juice make the body better able to use calcium, balancing the blood’s pH. Celery juice is thought to have a calming effect on the nervous system, and to reduce one’s appetite for sweets.

Carrot
Carrot juice is an extremely rich source of beta carotene, which is converted by the body into pro-vitamin A (natural vitamin A). Vitamin A is essential for the normal development and health of many body tissues, including the skin and eyes. Beta carotene is also a phytochemical which research is now proving can help reduce disease risk. Carrot juice is a good source of vitamins B, C, E and K, as well as a range of minerals. The juice is thought to stimulate digestion and cleanse the liver. With its sweet, mild taste and digestion-enhancing quality, carrot juice is wonderful for blending: just try a Robeks Green V™ (Carrot+Celery+Spinach).

Beet
Known as a blood builder and kidney purifier, beet juice is a good source of vitamin B-6 and minerals like chlorine, iron, sodium and potassium. You don’t need much beet juice to get its health benefits, so just a bit can be mixed with mellower juices like apple and carrot, as in the Robeks ABC® (Apple+Beet+Carrot).

Apple
At Robeks, we juice our apples skin and all, which is the best way to maximize the nutrient value of this juice. With vitamins A, C, B-complex vitamins, and a host of essential minerals, apple juice is especially good for enhancing the quality of the skin, hair and fingernails. Apple juice also contains apple pectin and malic acid, which keep the lower digestive tract healthy. Apple pectin does this by absorbing and neutralizing toxins, and encouraging food to move smoothly through the digestive tract. With its delightfully mild, sweet taste, apple juice is also great for blending.

Orange
Not to be forgotten, Robeks’ ever-popular fresh-squeezed orange juice provides plenty of antioxidant vitamin C to protect nerves, glands, joints and connective tissues from oxidative damage. Vitamin C is also essential for healing and immunity, and helps the body absorb minerals like iron and calcium. A simple, sweet glass of Robeks orange juice is a great way to wake up or refresh at any time of day, and it’s also delicious in blended juices like our Monkey C™ (Orange+Banana) and G-Snap™ (Carrot+Orange+Ginger).

• Most of the information in this article was gathered from The Juicing Book, by Stephen Blauer. This book is available for purchase at most Robeks locations and at the Robeks e-store.