Fresh juices are a great way to obtain nutrients from fruit and vegetables. Juices can be made with hard and soft fruit and vegetables in a juice extractor. To obtain optimum nutritional benefit these juices should be drunk straight away.

Virtually any combination of fruit and vegetables can be mixed to create a delicious and nutritious juice. Below are a few recipes to give you some ideas. Each recipe serves 2 people.

Refreshing Citrus Drink

• 4 oranges
• 2 limes
• 1 grapefruit
• 1 lemon

Peel the fruit and pass through the juice extractor or cut them in half and squeeze them. This juice is high in Vitamin C and potassium.

Carrot and orange Blend

• 4 large carrots
• 2 oranges
• 2 apples
• Ginger to taste

Prepare the carrots, apple and orange and put through the juice extractor. Add a piece of peeled ginger according to your taste. This juice is high in Beta-carotene, a great antioxidant.

Papaya Mix

• 2 papayas
• 1 grapefruit
• 300g raspberries
• 1 lime

Scoop out flesh from papayas and add to juicer with rest of ingredients. This drink is high in vitamins A and C and zinc and selenium. It is great for boosting your immune system if you are feeling run down.

Avocado Refresher

• 2 avocados
• ½ large melon
• 150g cucumber
• 2 tbsp wheatgerm

Juice the melon and cucumber. Add to a blender with the peeled avocados and wheatgerm and blend. Avocado is rich in Vitamin E, potassium and monosaturated fats, which aid digestion.

Blueberry Bliss

• 400g blueberries
• 1 grapefruit
• 2 apples
• 1 inch cube fresh ginger

Prepare the fruit and juice all the ingredients together. Grapefruit is a good source of Vitamin C and blueberries and apples are very potent antioxidants. This drink can help prevent hardening of the arteries.