How to make freshly squeezed pumpkin juice: the best recipes with the addition of vegetables and fruits, use for treatment
For centuries, people have been treated with folk remedies made from pumpkin. Recipes for a medicinal pumpkin drink have been passed down from generation to generation. Today you will recognize them too. We will share with you the most useful recipes and tell you how to drink pumpkin juice for medicinal purposes and without harm to health.
The benefits and harms of pumpkin drink
Pumpkin drink has therapeutic properties and has a healing effect on the entire body.. It contains a huge amount of vitamins that strengthen the immune system and help the body fight diseases, including bacterial, fungal and viral infections. However, there are also contraindications to drinking pumpkin juice. Let's take a closer look at the benefits and harms of this drink.
Benefit
What are the benefits of pumpkin juice?:
- Regular consumption of the drink normalizes the functioning of the digestive system. It is high in fiber, which helps relieve constipation.
- Good for the eyes too. The vitamin A it contains improves vision. The antioxidants zeaxanthin and lutein prevent the development of cataracts and slow down age-related macular degeneration.
- When consumed in moderation, it protects against diabetes by reducing blood sugar levels. Increases the body's tolerance to glucose and increases the amount of insulin produced.
- Normalizes blood pressure.The pectin it contains reduces “bad” cholesterol in the blood, and this, in turn, helps cleanse the arteries of organic deposits and prevents the development of atherosclerosis, stroke and heart attack.
- Taking pumpkin juice is indicated for general weakness of the body, liver and kidney diseases, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, various edema (it has a diuretic property). It is also used in the complex treatment of prostate adenoma diseases.
- In medicine, preparations based on pumpkin juice are used to treat bladder irritation and kidney infections. This drink is widely used as an antiparasitic agent. It is also used to treat problems with urination due to benign prostatic hyperplasia.
- Often used in the fight against peptic ulcers. Improves intestinal functioning, reduces cholesterol levels in the blood, and helps remove toxins from the body. And the dietary fiber contained in pumpkin helps fight diabetes, constipation and abdominal pain.
- Widely used in children's and dietary nutrition. Cosmetologists and dermatologists use pumpkin juice in their work. For skin problems it is used externally.
Contraindications and harm
In some cases, drinking pumpkin drink can negatively affect your health. Main contraindications:
- individual intolerance;
- diseases of the digestive system in the acute stage and diarrhea;
- diseases of the pancreas and liver in the acute phase;
- The drink should be consumed with caution and in limited quantities in case of low stomach acidity, diabetes and kidney stones.
In other cases, if harm from pumpkin juice is possible, it is minimal. As a rule, it appears with excessive consumption and is expressed in stomach upset (diarrhea).
There is no reliable information about the toxic dose of pumpkin drink for the body. Studies show that 4 ml per 1 kg of body weight does not cause adverse reactions in most healthy people.
Chemical composition, vitamins and minerals
Pumpkin juice contains vitamins B1, B2, B6, E, C. In the drink huge amount of beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. Pumpkin juice is rich in minerals: phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron and calcium.
The nutritional value
100 grams of pumpkin juice contain:
- proteins – 0.1;
- unsaturated fats – 0.1;
- carbohydrates – 9.1;
- calorie content – 38 kcal.
Choosing a pumpkin
To prepare a healthy drink, you need a pumpkin that is sweet, juicy, with bright orange pulp.. Several varieties have these properties.
The best pumpkin varieties for juice
For the pumpkin drink choose large-fruited and nutmeg pumpkins. These include varieties:
- Vitamin;
- Chit;
- Gribovskaya winter;
- Palav-kadu;
- Smile.
These varieties keep well all winter.
The best recipes for making a drink at home
There are many different recipes for making the drink at home.. Freshly squeezed pumpkin juice is made using a juicer (screw or centrifuge) or a regular grater. For drinks that will be subjected to heat treatment, you will need a saucepan, blender or sieve to grind the pulp.
How to squeeze juice out of pumpkin
Before preparing the drink, the pumpkin must be washed, peeled and seeds removed.. Then cut the vegetable into large slices.
Exists three ways to squeeze juice out of pumpkin:
- The simplest one is to squeeze it through a juicer.
- Labor-intensive: grate the vegetable on a coarse grater and squeeze using gauze.
- Smoothie base or thick juice: Grind the vegetable pieces in a blender. With this method, the drink will contain more fiber, which will double its benefits.
With pulp
For this recipe, use the pulp from a previous batch of juice..
Ingredients:
- water – 1 l;
- sugar – 100 g;
- pumpkin cake – 500 g;
- lemon juice;
- mint - several sprigs.
Cooking method:
- Prepare sugar syrup: add sugar to water and bring to a boil.
- Add the cake to the finished syrup and cook for 20 minutes. After this, rub the mixture through a sieve.
- Place the resulting juice and pulp on the fire again and bring to a boil.
- Add mint and lemon juice.
- Remove the pan from the heat and let it brew. Then remove the mint from the finished drink and cool.
Carrot-pumpkin drink
Pumpkin goes very well with carrots, so be sure to try this recipe.
Mix 150 grams of pumpkin juice with 100 grams of carrot juice, add a tablespoon of cream or vegetable oil to taste.
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Drink made from pumpkin and apples for the winter
Also a great combination. If If you want to make juice from these ingredients for daily use, exclude sugar and zest from the recipe.
Ingredients:
- 1 kg pumpkin;
- 1 kg apples;
- zest of 1 lemon;
- 250 g sugar.
Cooking process:
- Use a juicer to juice pumpkin and apples.
- Pour the resulting juice into a saucepan and mix with sugar and lemon zest.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Let cool slightly and roll the finished juice into sterilized jars.
Pumpkin and gooseberry juice
Ingredients:
- pumpkin – 800 g;
- honey – 300 g;
- gooseberries – 800 g.
Cooking process:
- Squeeze the juice from pumpkin and gooseberries and mix it with honey.
- Pour the resulting mixture into jars and sterilize for 20 minutes.
- Roll up the jars and leave until completely cool.
Recipes for pumpkin juice for the winter can be used not only for preparations. But without sterilization, store the drink strictly in the refrigerator and for no more than 2 days.
From sea buckthorn and pumpkin
To prepare this sweet and sour drink, take slightly unripe sea buckthorn berries. And the pumpkin should lie down for a while after picking.
Ingredients:
- pumpkin pulp – 3.5 kg;
- sea buckthorn berries – 900 g;
- water – 150 ml;
- sugar – 100 g;
- citric acid – 5 g.
Cooking method:
- Squeeze the vegetable through a juicer.
- Fill the sea buckthorn with water and place it on the stove. Cook until it becomes soft. Cool slightly and rub through a sieve.
- Mix pumpkin and sea buckthorn juices, add sugar, citric acid and cook for 5 minutes.
- Pour the pumpkin-sea buckthorn drink into sterilized jars and roll up.
From pumpkin with dried apricots
Pumpkin juice with dried apricots prepared with the addition of another orange vegetable - carrots.
Ingredients:
- pumpkin – 3 kg;
- medium-sized carrots – 4 pcs.;
- sugar – 1.5 kg;
- dried apricots – 0.5 kg;
- citric acid – 1 tbsp. l.;
- water – 9 l.
Cooking method:
- Prepare the pumpkin, peel the carrots, rinse and dry the dried apricots.
- Cut all prepared ingredients into cubes and place in a large saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 2 hours. Then remove from heat and cool slightly.
- Use a blender to turn the resulting mass into puree.
- Add 6 liters of water, sugar and citric acid to the pan.Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for an hour, stirring occasionally.
- Pour the hot juice into sterilized jars and seal.
Classic with cranberries
Cranberry, pumpkin and honey together make an amazing combination.
Ingredients:
- pumpkin – 2 kg;
- cranberries – 2 kg;
- honey or sugar - to taste.
Cooking method:
- Extract the juice from pumpkin and cranberries.
- Mix two types of juice, add honey or sugar.
Such It's better to drink the drink right awayuntil he lost most of his vitamins.
Pumpkin-beet drink
Thanks to the beets in this composition the drink strengthens blood vessels, promotes hematopoiesis, improves intestinal peristalsis.
Ingredients for 1 glass of juice:
- pumpkin – 250 g;
- beets – 250 g.
Cooking method:
- Extract the juice from pumpkin and beets.
- Mix 2 types of juice.
If desired, you can add carrot and/or apple juice to this juice. – all in equal proportions (for 1 serving – 50 ml of each juice).
From pumpkin and apricot
Pumpkin and apricot go well together.
Ingredients:
- pumpkin juice – 1 l;
- apricots – 1.5 kg;
- sugar – 100 g.
Cooking method:
- Wash the apricots and pour pumpkin juice.
- Bring to a boil and let cool slightly.
- Rub the apricots and juice through a sieve. Add sugar and put back on the stove. Bring to a boil.
- Pour the drink into sterilized jars and roll up.
No sugar for the winter
This recipe does not contain sugar. However Honey can be added to the main ingredients if desired., fruit juices, spices.
Ingredients:
- pumpkin pulp – 3 kg;
- water – 4 l.
Cooking method:
- Pour water over the pumpkin and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes until soft.
- Rub the pulp through a sieve.
- Add the broth and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Roll hot into jars and sterilize for 20 minutes.
How to preserve a product
If you decide to preserve pumpkin drink in jars for the winter, sterilization will be required. That is, the juice will have to be boiled.
There are two ways.
Method 1
Cook in a juicer:
- Cut the prepared pumpkin and place it in the upper part of the saucepan. Fill the lower part of the device with water up to the mark.
- Cover the pan with a lid and place on fire. There is a tube on the side of the juicer through which the finished product will flow out. Place a container underneath to catch the liquid.
After about half an hour you will notice the first juice appearing. If you want a drink without pulp, wait until it stops pouring out of the straw and remove the pan from the heat.
If your goal is a drink with pulp, open the lid of the juicer and stir. The crushed pulp will pour out through the tube along with the liquid.
Method 2
With pulp without a juicer or juicer:
- Take a saucepan or deep metal bowl. Place the prepared and chopped pumpkin in it and add water at the rate of 200 grams per 1 kg of pumpkin.
- Place the resulting mixture in a saucepan, cover with a lid and cook over medium heat until the vegetable pieces are completely soft. You can also boil the vegetable in a slow cooker on the “Stew” mode for 2-3 hours.
- Beat the cooled mass with a blender or rub through a sieve. If desired, you can add sugar to the resulting puree.
- After this, pour the finished drink into prepared jars and sterilize for 30 minutes.
- Roll up with sterilized lids and wrap for 12 hours until the jars have cooled completely.
How to store
Freshly squeezed juices have a limited shelf life - it is better to consume them immediately. If this is not possible, then store the juice in the refrigerator and drink it within 3-5 hours.
Storing pumpkin juice in jars is no different from storing other canned foods.: A prerequisite is a cool and dry place without direct sunlight.
How to drink pumpkin juice correctly
There are several rules for drinking a drink with pumpkin. So, in order to avoid harm and get maximum benefit, follow the recommendations:
- For preventive purposes, drink a glass of pumpkin juice in the morning on an empty stomach, half an hour before meals. The daily norm of the drink for a healthy person is 200 ml.
- To prevent the healing properties of the drink from disappearing, drink freshly prepared juice no later than an hour after preparation.
- To treat certain medical conditions or relieve symptoms caused by them, follow your doctor's prescriptions and instructions.
Treatment with pumpkin juice
Due to its wide spectrum of action, pumpkin juice is used in the treatment of many serious diseases. However, in advanced stages, it does not replace drug treatment, but only complements it.
Important! In any case, do not self-medicate and consult a doctor before drinking the drink.
Pumpkin juice and diabetes
The unique properties of pumpkin juice - removing impurities and toxins, normalization of blood circulation and cholesterol levels. However, if you have type 2 diabetes, a doctor’s consultation and blood sugar tests are required. In complex forms of diabetes, pumpkin juice is strictly contraindicated.
Pumpkin juice for weight loss and colon cleansing
The product has a mild laxative effect and is widely used to cleanse the intestines. and losing weight. The course of taking the drink is 10 days. During this period, the functioning of the intestines will improve, it will be cleansed, and 2-3 kg of excess weight will disappear.
For these purposes, only raw juice is used.. The drink is consumed an hour before meals, 100-150 ml 3 times a day. Flour products and rice are excluded from the diet during the course.
Liver and gallbladder diseases
Pumpkin restores damaged liver cells. The juice is useful for hepatitis, cholecystitis and cirrhosis. The regimen and course of administration are the same as in the previous case: 150 ml of fresh pumpkin 3-4 times a day for 10 days. For the best effect, add a teaspoon of natural honey to the drink.
Insomnia
A glass of pumpkin juice is mixed with 2 tbsp. l. honey, bring to a boil and keep in a water bath for 20 minutes. Take 2-3 tablespoons 3 times a day 15-20 minutes before meals. Store this drink for no more than 2 days in a cool place.
Neurasthenia
For neurasthenia, drink fresh pumpkin at night, 100-200 ml with 1 tsp. honey. The course of treatment is 1.5-2 months. A repeat course can be taken after 10-15 days.
Pumpkin juice against parasites
Helminthiasis is a dangerous disease caused by parasites. Boiled pumpkin juice and pumpkin seeds are used to get rid of worms.. The drink is drunk in the morning on an empty stomach, 1.5 hours before meals, 250 ml. After this, eat 30 g of fresh seeds, not thermally treated.
Heart and kidney diseases
Diseases cause fluid retention in the body, which pumpkin juice can easily cope with.. To do this, take it half a glass half an hour before meals. In addition to getting rid of puffiness, this remedy removes excess cholesterol deposited on the walls of blood vessels.
In addition, the potassium contained in pumpkin strengthens the heart muscle. For chronic pyelonephritis, to alleviate the condition, drink half a glass of pumpkin juice per day.
For preventive purposes
It is easier to prevent a disease than to treat it for a long time. So, for the purpose of prevention, pumpkin drink is used for:
- enriching the body with vitamins and microelements, especially during dietary nutrition;
- bowel cleansing;
- strengthening the heart;
- improving blood clotting.
How and when to give pumpkin juice to children
The body of a small child absorbs boiled pumpkin juice better. It is added to complementary foods from 6 months, first half a teaspoon, gradually increasing the dosage to 60 ml per day if colic does not appear. Mix pumpkin juice with apple or carrot juice.
In its raw form, it is introduced into the diet from 3 years of age.. Up to 7 years, the maximum daily dose is 100 ml. From 7 to 14 years old, a child can be given 200 ml per day. Over 14 years old – 300 ml. Pumpkin drink has a calming effect on the child, so it is better to give it at night.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding
During the period of bearing a child, all minerals from the mother’s body go to the formation of the fetus. And pumpkin drink restores these reserves. Besides, during pregnancy it brings other tangible benefits:
- Relieves swelling of the legs, removing excess fluid from the female body.
- Supplies antioxidants to protect cellular DNA from free radical attacks.
- Folic acid in pumpkin reduces the risk of developing neural tube defects, anencephaly, hydrocephalus, malnutrition and prematurity. It is also necessary for the development of the brain, spinal cord, and fetal skeleton.
- Vitamin B2 prevents birth defects such as cleft palate.
- Amino acids take part in the metabolism and construction of fetal proteins.
- Carotenoids improve the skin, mucous membranes and vision of the mother and unborn child.
- Pumpkin juice replenishes potassium reserves, which is lost in large quantities during toxicosis in the first trimester.
- Improves digestion and prevents constipation in pregnant women.
- Heals the liver and gall bladder.
- If you have a cold, it will replace medications: fresh pumpkin juice will increase your immunity and reduce your temperature.
- It has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and improves the mood of the pregnant woman.
- Vitamin E prevents the appearance of stretch marks.
In cosmetology
Pumpkin drink contains a huge amount of antioxidants. Therefore, its regular use significantly improves the condition of the skin, rejuvenates, and evens out skin color. In cosmetology, there are recipes with pumpkin juice for external use. They are aimed at eliminating acne and whitening freckles. Besides, Pumpkin juice perfectly moisturizes the skin.
For a healing pumpkin mask you will need:
- freshly squeezed pumpkin juice – 3 tbsp. l;
- honey – 1 tsp;
- egg yolk – 1 pc.
The components are mixed and applied to the face and neck for 20 minutes.. Then wash off with warm water.
The mask is applied 2 times a week until the desired effect is achieved. (about a month). It reduces the production of oil by the glands, relieves inflammation and prevents the spread of acne.
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Conclusion
Pumpkin drink is an excellent means of preventing many diseases. In the initial stages, it can even get rid of many of them. And in severe forms of disease it is recommended to use it as an adjuvant.
The benefits of pumpkin juice can hardly be overestimated. Regular use helps cope with stress, insomnia and can even slow down the aging process.But do not forget about contraindications and follow the norms for its use.