With the new year often comes a determination to eat and feel better. Juicing has been touted for its health benefits and can be a refreshing way to restart eating or drinking habits that may have fallen a little off course during the holidays. Whether you’re feeling sluggish and want to recharge your diet, under the weather and in need of an immunity boost, or just require a quick, natural burst of energy, there’s a juice for that. Here are some local picks for liquid sustenance and the juicy benefits that ensue.
Activated Charcoal Lemonade
Activated charcoal, lemon, cayenne, H2O, agave
For: Pre/post workout
Features: Activated charcoal has become a trend in the juicing world, lauded for its detoxing, metabolism-boosting, hangover-curing perks. Charcoal is used to treat patients of poison or overdose, and for regular detoxing benefits, it’s known for latching on to problematic particles* in the body and moving them out of the gastrointestinal tract.
Flavor: Since the majority of this “juice” is water, its thin consistency is easily drinkable, especially with the agave’s sweetness. The drink leaves charcoal sediment in the mouth, so follow up with some water.
Find It: Town Center Cold Pressed
168 Central Park Ave., Virginia Beach | 757-737-5227
Inside the Five Points Community Farm Market, 2500 Church St., Norfolk
*Since charcoal is known to absorb particles, it’s best to avoid drinking activated charcoal lemonade with medications and/or foods that pack in nutrients.
Immunity
Green apple, lemon, ginger, cayenne
For: Battling and preventing colds
Features: Can’t seem to kick that cold? Load up on immune-boosting ingredients like lemon (rich in vitamin C), ginger (anti-inflammatory) and cayenne (relieves congestion and fights headaches), and you’ll be feeling better in no time.
Flavor: It starts as a sweet apple refreshment, followed by a burst of lemon, and then—pow! The cayenne kicks in with a zesty zip and zing that’ll spice up your life in a jiffy. Though surely a shock, this juice is surprisingly addictive.
Find It: Fruitive
1624 Laskin Rd., Virginia Beach (and coming to Norfolk this spring). | 757-351-0559
Liquid Gold
Orange, carrot, turmeric
For: Energy boost
Features: This lovely mix of oranges (lowers cholesterol; boosts heart health; fights viral infections; regulates high blood pressures; alkalizes the body); carrots (anti-aging; promotes healthier skin; helps prevent infection; cleanses the body) and turmeric (anti-inflammatory; regulates insulin levels; detoxifies the liver) is sure to get you pumped and ready for your day.
Flavor: Think of a thick orange juice with a slight carrot bitterness.
Find It: The Green Cat
3801 Pacific Ave., Virginia Beach | 757-417-7377
Fit Cold-Pressed Beet-Ernal Juice
Carrots, beets, Granny Smith apples, green kale
For: Healthy blood flow
Features: Beets are loaded with nitrates, which aid in blood flow and blood pressure, says an article from WebMD. Add to that carrots, which are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, heart-healthy apples and a dose of kale, and you’ll be ready to get the blood and body moving.
Flavor: This one starts off super sweet before the beet and carrot essence sweeps through.
Find It: Whole Foods
12080 Jefferson Ave., Newport News | 757-947-2460
1800 Laskin Rd., Virginia Beach | 757-422-0444
Detox
Kale, apple, celery, cucumber, ginger, turmeric
For: Getting more fruits and veggies
Features: A veggie-heavy green juice can contain 36 percent of your daily recommended potassium and 20 percent of daily vitamin A, with 12 grams of natural sugar, no fat and 4 grams of protein, says an article from Time. Green juices, such as this one, can help improve cholesterol and have been linked to lessening the risk of diabetes.
Flavor: A tad tart, a bit savory, this juice starts with a standout, refreshing cucumber flair and ends with a peppery finish.
Find It: Just Pic’d Juices, 415 N Military Hwy., Norfolk | 757-466-2882
Weight Loss
Cucumber, apple, celery, pineapple
Features: Whether you’re trying to lose weight or just want to incorporate some fruits and veggies into your diet, this is a revitalizing place to start. Get extra hydration from cucumbers, vitamin C from pineapple, antioxidants and enzymes from cucumber and cholesterol-fighting power from apples, all blended together in a super easy-to-drink juice.
Flavor: The cucumber and celery bring a savory component to this juice, while apple and pineapple sweeten the deal.
Find It: Just Pic’d Juices, 415 N Military Hwy., Norfolk | 757-466-2882
Consult your doctor before considering juicing as a detox or weight loss method.
Angela Blue
Angela Blue has served as editor-in-chief for multiple lifestyle publications and copy editor for several cultural institutions and nonprofits. A seasoned writer, she enjoys sharing stories that spark curiosity and build connections. Angela lives in Norfolk with her husband and two kids and enjoys reading, running, cooking, and spending time on the Lafayette River.
