It may sound like an unlikely combination, but the earthy tang of grapefruit and beet juice with a cayenne kick is fast becoming one of my favorite blends. Sure, it’s got health benefits up the wazoo, but on a hot summer morning, there’s nothing better.
Ingredients
- 3 large grapefruits (red or pink preferred)
- 2-3 medium beets (apple-sized)
- 1-2 Granny Smith apples
- 1 lemon
- Cayenne pepper to taste
Juice everything and combine. (This’ll make a little over a liter, so be sure to have a pitcher on hand.) The amount of cayenne pepper is entirely up to you. Add a dash and stir well. Bon appétit.
Sure it tastes great, but it also is great. Here’s why:
Grapefruit juice is jam-packed with antioxidants. I know that term has been overplayed a lot, but we’re talking a juice with some of the highest antioxidant activity around. Red and pink grapefruit are also high in lycopene, which fights against cancer. Grapefruits are also full of liminoids, a kind of phytonutrient that helps your liver to detoxify. And unlike other foods that contain liminoids, like chocolate or green tea, grapefruit’s liminoids can take up to 24 hours to break down — and they spend that extra time working their magic throughout your body. Grapefruit’s also high in vitamin A, vitamin C, and dietary fiber. And best of all, grapefruits contain a compound called naringenin that can actually help repair and restore damaged DNA.
High in vitamins and minerals like iron, beets have long been considered blood purifiers, but there may be some real truth to that. Beets increase our bodies’ production of glutathione, an important chemical for purging environmental toxins. They’re also high in fiber, making them incredibly heart-healthy. And as if that weren’t enough, beets are nature’s Viagra. Yup, they’re packed with boron — a trace mineral famous for improving testosterone and sex drive. (Adds a whole new slant to the term stiff drink, doesn’t it?)
Cayenne may have a kick, but it’s fighting for you. This little pepper kills bacteria and fungus on contact. Plus, it stimulates our digestive-, lymphatic-, and circulatory systems — making it ideal for detoxifying. And get this: studies are linking cayenne’s high levels of capsaicin with the inhibition of cancer formation.
But don’t take my word for it. Try it for yourself!
The Crunchy Urbanite 
I’m a fellow crunchy urbanite in Sydney and I’m excited to see that someone else enjoys beetroot and grapefruit juice. My absolute favourite drink!
I’m totally making this as soon as I go to the store! Sounds amazing!!
This weekend I juiced 3 grapefruits and 1 orange together and then sweetened it with the hot water and honey. Adding the orange makes a big difference in the flavor! It adds that sweetness that the grapefruit are missing but isn’t too overpowering.