Top 10 Fruits & Veggies to Juice Right Now

Locally grown, seasonal fruits and vegetables are the way to go when it comes to finding and purchasing fruits and vegetables. And in the summertime, that’s easy, since there are so many delicious options available.

Find out more about the perks of eating seasonally, along with 10 favorite fruits and vegetables to put in your shopping basket this summer.

Why buy local and seasonal?
Firstly, locally grown produce tends to be grown at smaller farms that use fewer pesticides; secondly, locally grown produce has a shorter distance to travel before it gets into your hands, which means it contains more nutrients. Of course, there’s always the added benefit of helping your local economy too.

When shopping at your local farmers’ market you’ll notice that all (or most) of the produce they’re selling is seasonal, because they’re most often selling produce that was most recently grown and freshly picked.

For us here in the Northern Hemisphere, we’re coming into a warmer season which means new and different produce will be available for purchase from local farms. Use our list to help guide you on your next trip to your local market.

1. Beets: Beets are an all-time favorite for juice.

Beet benefits: 

• They’re a rich source electrolytes including some natural sodium and potassium (great for all you exercise fanatics)
• They contain tons of nutrients

Juicing them pre- or post exercise is a great way to boost your body’s electrolyte stores and promote hydration.

Try beets in juice: Two favorite beet juices are Sunny Citrus-Beet Juice and Beauty and Beet Juice.

2.Cucumbers

Cucumbers are one of my favorite juice ingredients to have on hand.

Cucumber benefits: 

• Cukes are a great source of nutrients (such as vitamin K, phosphorus and electrolytes)
• They add volume to juice — sometimes when making juices, the total volume doesn’t end up equaling the expected amount, and that’s where high water-content produce comes in handy

Use cucumbers in juice: Since they’re a member of the dirty dozen, which means they tend to have more pesticides on their skin, aim to buy cucumbers locally or wash them well. Try cucumbers in Crispy Cucumber Juice or Not-Too-Sweet Cucumber Melon Juice.

3. Grapes
Grapes are an all-time favorite summer snack, and they make for a great addition to juices too. Grapes come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors —  all of which contain different and healthy nutrients.

Grape benefits: 

• A good source of  eye-healthy lutein and zeaxanthin
• The skins are a source of heart-healthy resveratrol
• A source of quercetin, which may have anti-inflammatory properties

Try grapes in juice: To get the most nutritional benefit, it’s important to vary the colors and varieties of grapes you use when making your juices.

4. Peaches

Peaches can be a great addition to a delicious and refreshing summer juice.

Peach benefits: 

• A source of  immune-boosting and cancer-fighting vitamin C and eye-healthy vitamin A
• A good source of calcium

Try peaches in juice: Use peaches on the firmer side, since if they’re soft they can be messy to juice. You can use them in Giant Green Peach, Summer Greens and Peach Juice or Peach Pie Juice.

No peaches available yet? Swap in nectarines, which contain similar nutritional benefits.

5. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are one of my personal favorites to add to juice as they’re not too sweet, but add a lot of volume and along with other fruits and vegetables can make for a spicy, exotic juice.

Tomato benefits: 

• They’re an excellent source of potassium, an that plays a role in hydration and can be beneficial to boost electrolyte stores pre-workout
• They may help reduce LDL cholesterol

Try tomatoes in juice: Tomatoes also come in many different shapes, colors, and sizes —  be sure to vary the variety you’re using to get utmost nutritional benefit. Some juices to make this summer: Gazpacho Juice, Hot V6 Juice and Spicy Tomato Juice.

6. Watermelon

Watermelon is another great seasonal fruit to add to your juice, and especially if you spend time being active.

Watermelon benefits: 

• A compound found in watermelon, L-citrulline, may help relax blood vessels and improve circulation, per research — the study found the most benefit when drinking a juice with fresh watermelon before exercising
• Watermelons are very hydrating
• Research also found that compounds in watermelon may be beneficial in promoting heart health

Try watermelon in juice: Enjoy watermelon’s sweetness in a Watermelon and Carrot Juice or Watermelon-Pineapple-Ginger Juice.

7. Radishes

Radishes are a great and refreshing addition to your juice this summer season.

Radish benefits: 

• They’re high in water volume, and low in calories
• They’re a good source of nutrients, vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, vitamin B, potassium, magnesium and more
• They contain isothiocyantes, which may have anti-cancer benefits.

Try radishes in juicer: You may not think at first that radishes make for a good juice element. But you’ll see differently when you have Radish and Pear Juice, Ravishing Radish Juice and Red Radish Juice.

8. Bell peppers

Bell peppers come in many different shapes and sizes, which means they offer a variety of different nutrients and make them a great addition to your juices this summer.

Pepper benefits: 

• Red, yellow, and orange bell peppers are a little bit sweeter, but are great sources of vitamin C, folate, carotenoids and potassium
• Green bell peppers have a simpler taste compared with sweeter red, yellow, or orange varieties, and contain vitamins C, B6 and K

Try peppers in juice: Ring the Bell Peppers Juice

9. Limes

I love the zesty flavor limes  add to my juices. I usually prefer to leave the peel on the lime, but you can also peel the skin off the lime for a less-zesty flavor.

Lime benefits: 

• They’re a great source of vitamin C
• Known for containing digestive properties as the compounds in limes help to stimulate gastric secretions
• Source of flavonoids (antioxidant compounds with antimicrobial properties)

Try limes in juice:  Limes are a great addition to almost any juice. Plus, they’re a real flavor booster for juices. Enjoy Green Pine-Lime Juice, Twist of Lime & Fennel Juice or Watermelon-Lime Juice.

10. Strawberries

Last but definitely not least, strawberries are a great addition to your juice. As with peaches, they’re easier to juice if they’re a little bit less ripe.

Strawberry benefits: 

• A good source of a cancer-fighting compound call anthocyanins
• Contain immune-boosting vitamin C
• A good source of bone-healthy magnesium (which aids in calcium absorption)
• Check out more benefits of eating strawberries

Try strawberries in juice: Strawberries can be a tasty and refreshing addition to any juice this summer. Get their benefits with Strawberry Fields Juice or Green Strawberry Juice.

Be adventurous with your summer juice combinations. Be sure to try new-to-you fruits and vegetables that you discover at your local farmers market — they all contain great nutritional benefits that your body can use!