Revisiting NingXia Red

When our family first started ordering from Young Living, we tried out a couple of bottles of NingXia Red, a superfood-based fruit drink that Young Living makes. After my husband used it to help recover faster following half- and full-marathons, I called my brother to tell him he really needed to try it for his own family. His response?

"I can get a juice blend drink at the store up the

street, Mel. This is too expensive."

Ingredients: 
Goji Berry/Wolfberry puree - why puree? Because it allows us to use all of the nutritional goodness that comes from the NingXia Wolfberry! This includes: 

• significant concentration of carotenoids, which are good for the skin and vision, and are more bioavailable to convert to Vitamin A. 
• High in Vitamin C, providing support for the skin with cuts and bruises, protects cells against free radical-induced oxidative harm, supports the immune system, and helps boost the amount of iron the body can absorb from plant sources (super important if you're a vegetarian like me!)
• Polyphenols were once thought to provide antioxidant benefits but further study shows that they instead help increase the body's ability to regulate several biological processes. And goji berries are one of the most concentrated sources of polyphenols around! While I won't get further into these polyphenols, I'll list them here so you can look them up if you want to dive further into the weeds: rutin, scopoletin, caffeic acid, coumaric acid, moupinamide, and flavonoids. Especially when ingested as a single component (ie: all the parts of the berry and not isolating the components for use individually), these compounds combine to provide several potential health benefits like supporting healthy blood pressure and supporting healthy blood sugar levels. 
• great source of zeaxanthin and lutein. These two components support healthy vision and regularly ingesting them can help strengthen the plasma antioxidant levels of both compounds.
• a small protein boost - the levels are not significant in the grand scheme of protein sources, but why not take a little more wherever you can get it?
• Because all the parts of the goji berry are used (puree), not only are all the parts of the berry used in synthesis as nature intended, but you keep the fiber of the berry to use as well. 

Let's have a brief rundown next about the juices and extracts: Grape seed extract, blueberry, plum, aronia, cherry, and pomegranate juices. 

• Grape Seed Extract - may provide support healthy blood pressure, healthy blood flow, and reduce LDL oxidation; may help better synthesize collagen and support good bone health; may support long-term brain health and cognitive function; may promote good kidney and liver function and health; may help support the body against fungus and yeast growth; might help support healthy long-term DNA; might help keep skin strong and healthy. Check out this article for a more concise breakdown (with source and study links) of these amazing benefits. 
• Blueberry juice: One 8-oz serving of blueberry juice gives 92 calories, 1.2 g. of protein, 23.4g of carbohydrates, and 0.5g of fat. Other nutrients include Vitamins C, K, A, B12, and E, plus thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid. Understandably, given the blueberry's size, not all of these are found in significant amounts, but combined with the other juices, the benefits compound on one another and add up quickly!
• Plum juice: May help with digestion, brain health, support healthy vision, help with good blood flow, help with growth and development of new tissue; the phenols may help promote good cholesterol levels; provide antioxidants for supporting the overall body (see the wolfberry part above for what that can do for you), and provide phenolic compounds for healthy cells. Make sure to check the link for the details and the things I can't say on here. 
• Aronia juice: Aronia is also known as Chokeberry. Like goji berries, blueberries, and the other fruits in NingXia Red, the chokeberry is a very nutrient-dense food in a tiny package. They are high in polyphenols, may support a healthy immune system; may help with balancing blood sugar and supporting healthy weight levels; high in antioxidants, which may help support healthy liver function, and increase mucous for healthier stomach lining; may also help support balanced blood pressure, and relax the arteries for healthy blood flow. The chokeberry has Vitamins C, B1, B2, B6, and K, plus Niacin, tocopherols, pantothenic acid; plus sodium, potassium, magnesium, clalcium, iron, and zinc. 
• Cherry juice: Cherry juice is high in potassium, which helps conduct electrical nerve impulses throughout the body. Potassium also helps with pain management, inflammation, healthy digestion, maintain pH balance, keep balanced hydration, and a good heart rate. These are another powerful antioxidant boost to add to this amazing mix. Cherry juice can also help boost metabolism, boost the immune system, and maintain a healthy weight. They are also chock-full of Vitamin A and C. Want to dive into the rabbit hole on this one? Click the link where the name is, and get all the pubmed info you desire!
• Pomegranate Juice: Here's the skinny on Pom juice - Like the others in this list, it is high in antioxidants, vitamin C, can help bind free radicals, help with cognitive help as you age, help with healthy digestion, healthy joints, healthy heart function, and give a good boost to the immune system. Pomegranate juice also might help keep your memory strong, support stable blood sugar levels, and enhance sexual performance and hormonal balance. 

Essential Oils:

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