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Green juice drinks are the toast of social media sites where influencers extol the latest nutrition fads. These beverages are often made from celery, kale, chard, spinach, wheatgrass, parsley, dill and mint, and sometimes with whey protein -- then sweetened with fruits or added sugar.

If you rarely eat whole green vegetables, juicing them may boost your intake of some nutrients, but it deprives you of fiber, which is essential for gut health. (A healthy gut improves glucose control, boosts immune system functions, feeds the brain and improves heart health). True, green juices provide cancer-blocking chemicals like indoles -- but so do whole green veggies. And sticking with only green veggies (juiced or whole) deprives you of essential nutrients that are in the rainbow of colors of other fruits and vegetables.

-- Red in strawberries, tomatoes, watermelon, red peppers and red onions delivers the carotenoid lycopene, which tamps down inflammation and offers protection against prostate cancer and heart and lung disease, according to Harvard Medical School.

-- Orange and yellow in carrots, sweet potatoes, yellow peppers and oranges contain a phytochemical that may help prevent heart disease.

-- Blue and purple in blueberries, blackberries, Concord grapes, eggplant, and purple cabbage contain antioxidants that may help slow cellular aging and help prevent blood clots.

If you want a green beverage, stick with smoothies (fiber is mostly preserved) and make sure there's no added sugars. And for optimal health, go for a mix of pea protein, whole fruits and vegetables daily. Colorful recipes are in my "What to Eat When Cookbook."

Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.

(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.