If you do not have a juicer, you can easily make the drink with a blender. Place the chopped beetroot, carrots, and apple into the blender and add approximately ½ to 1 cup of cold water. Blend until smooth. You can drink it with the pulp for more fiber or strain it through a fine mesh strainer if you prefer a thinner beverage.
For a refreshing version, add a small piece of fresh ginger before blending. Ginger gives the drink a warm, slightly spicy flavor that complements the sweetness of the apple and carrot. A little lemon juice can also brighten the taste, although people with acid-sensitive stomachs may prefer to leave it out.
Beetroot is particularly interesting because it naturally contains dietary nitrates. The body can convert nitrates into nitric oxide, a compound involved in blood-vessel function and circulation. Research into beetroot products has explored their possible effects on blood pressure and physical performance, but this does not mean beetroot juice should replace prescribed blood pressure medication or professional medical treatment.
Carrots contribute beta-carotene and other carotenoids. Beta-carotene can be converted by the body into vitamin A, which plays an important role in normal vision, immune function, and skin health. This is one reason carrots have long been associated with eye health, although drinking carrot juice cannot correct cataracts, glaucoma, severe vision loss, or the need for prescription glasses.
Apples provide natural sweetness along with vitamin C and plant compounds such as polyphenols. Keeping some of the apple pulp in the drink can also provide more dietary fiber than completely strained juice. Because juicing removes much of the fiber found in whole fruits and vegetables, blending and drinking the pulp can be a useful alternative.
For people interested in healthy weight management, this juice can be included occasionally as part of an overall nutritious meal plan. However, it should not be considered a weight-loss treatment or a substitute for a balanced diet. Juice can contain a considerable amount of naturally occurring sugar, particularly when several fruits and vegetables are concentrated into one glass. Portion size therefore matters, especially for people monitoring blood sugar or following a diabetes diet.
A simple way to enjoy the drink is to have a small glass alongside a balanced breakfast rather than relying on juice alone. Combining it with protein, healthy fats, and high-fiber foods can make a meal more satisfying and provide a broader range of nutrients.
For a basic homemade version, wash 1 beetroot, 2 carrots, and 1 apple. Chop them into manageable pieces. Juice them together, or blend them with ½ to 1 cup of water. Stir thoroughly and drink fresh. If desired, add a small piece of ginger or a little lemon juice. If using a blender, keep the pulp rather than straining it if you want more fiber.
Fresh juice is best consumed soon after preparation. If you need to store it, place it in a clean, tightly sealed container in the refrigerator and consume it promptly rather than leaving it at room temperature.
One thing that may surprise you is the color of the drink. Beetroot contains powerful natural pigments that can turn the juice an intense red or purple. Beetroot can also temporarily change the color of urine or stool in some people, which is generally harmless but can be surprising the first time it happens.
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