Celebrate the holidays without the inflammation! Learn how to make our favorite anti-inflammatory juice using orange, red chilis, and matcha–on its own and as a mocktail!
Straight from the Test Kitchen: Orange-Chili-Matcha Juice
When we read a post by Dr. William Li highlighting five top foods for chronic pain, we were inspired to make an anti-inflammatory juice that we could drink for the same purpose.
We jumped into our test kitchen right away. The three ingredients that stood out to us were oranges, red chilis and matcha. After conferring with Becky, our in-house chef, we came up with a plan to test not only an orange-chili-matcha juice recipe, but a recipe for orange-chili-matcha mocktails made from frozen juice cubes, perfect for entertaining.
What causes inflammation in the body?
We know it’s good to reduce inflammation in our body–and therefore to consume produce with anti-inflammatory properties–but what is inflammation, anyway? The body’s inflammatory response is another way of talking about what happens when the immune system begins to fight an irritant or other harmful stimuli by sending white blood cells to the compromised area. In general terms, inflammation is a natural part of the body’s way of healing and protecting itself from disease.
Acute vs. Chronic Inflammation
When we talk about inflammation, there are two different kinds: acute and chronic inflammation.
Acute inflammation is the body’s response to sudden danger, such as in the case of injury or acute illness. It often resolves in two weeks or less and your body will restore to its previous state.
Chronic inflammation is a slower and generally less severe form of inflammation, though it can cause a variety of health problems. This is often what occurs when your immune system gets activated and then does not shut off after the initial injury or illness has passed.
The link between inflammation and chronic pain
One way of looking at chronic inflammation is to consider the body sending a consistent stream of inflammatory cells to fight infection where there is none. Over time, this can damage healthy cells and organs, as well as lead to constant muscle pain and joint pain.
How does chronic inflammation cause health issues?
Chronic inflammation has been linked to prolonged stress, chronic pain, and autoimmune disorders and may have ties to arthritis, asthma, and cancer.
How does diet affect inflammation?
The bad news–and the good news!– is that our immune system can actually be altered by the foods that we eat. In fact, some studies have shown that the body responds to certain foods in the same way it would respond to a bacterial infection.
When we eat a diet rich in whole foods, our immune systems are supported and have a better chance of working the way they nature intends. Eating a diet high in fried and processed foods, however, can disrupt the immune system and lead to chronic, low-grade inflammation.
Does juicing fight inflammation and reduce chronic pain?
Drinking homemade, cold-pressed juice is a wonderful way to fight inflammation and reduce chronic pain. The more whole foods with anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties you can add to your diet, the better chance your body has of keeping your immune system running smoothly.
How We Made PURE Orange-Chili-Matcha Anti-Inflammatory Juice
Orange-Chili-Matcha Juice: First Test
We started with oranges and chilis, because the thought of these two flavors together was too tantalizing to resist. For our first run-through, we pressed the oranges (no grinding required).
We then sliced the chilis and added them straight to the orange juice. We divided the juice up–some for tasting, and some for freezing.
Orange-Chili-Matcha Juice: Second Test
Next, we tried grinding the chilis on top of the peeled oranges, wrapped them together in a press cloth, and pressed it all together in stage two of the PURE Juicer. This was equally delicious. Surprisingly, the ground and pressed chili added a body of heat to the juice but it was not as spicy!
We sprinkled the matcha on top and used a frother to blend it into the juice.
Orange-Chili-Matcha Martini Test
When our frozen orange-chili-matcha cubes were ready, we added them to our martini glasses, covered them in vodka, and sprinkled the matcha powder on top. (See recipe below for our sparkling-water-based mocktail version.)
Orange-Chili-Matcha Juice Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 oranges
- 2 red chilis
- green matcha powder
Directions
- Peel your oranges.
- Load the feed chute with red chilis and grind.
- Wrap ground red chilis and peeled oranges in liner.
- Press together directly into a pitcher.
- Pour into glass and garnish with slices of red chili and matcha powder.
Orange-Chili-Matcha Mocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 oranges
- 2 red chilis
- green matcha powder
- sparkling water
Directions
- Prepare orange-chili-matcha juice recipe.
- Garnish ice cube tray with slices of red chili and matcha powder.
- Pour orange-chili juice into the ice cube tray and freeze.
- Add orange-chili-matcha cubes to a martini glass with sparkling water.
Pro Tip: no alcohol is needed for orange-chili-matcha to be a party in a glass, but if you’re interested in a spiked version, we found substituting vodka for the sparkling water makes a pretty fine martini!
Heal inflammation with an anti-inflammatory diet
While our orange-chili-matcha juice is one of our favorite ways to fight chronic pain, don’t forget all the other delicious anti-inflammatory foods available to you. Some of our favorites include:
- berries
- cherries
- fatty fish (salmon, mackerel)
- broccoli, avocado, mushrooms (portobello and shiitake)
- turmeric
- ginger
- clove
- tomatoes
Learn how to make our soothing, anti-inflammatory turmeric milk
Health Benefits
oranges: packed with phenolic compounds like hesperidin and naringenin, oranges are chock full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Oranges are also a great source of vitamin c, fiber, folate, potassium, calcium, and thiamine.
matcha: rich in the plant compound catechins, matcha contains the nutrients from the entire tea leaf, which results in a greater amount of caffeine and antioxidants than typically found in green tea. Some studies show matcha improves brain function and may help protect the liver and help to rid the body of toxins.
chili peppers: chili peppers are rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals, especially very high in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant crucial to immune function and the healing of injuries. They are also known for vitamins B6, K1, potassium, and copper.
Sources
Oranges: Nutrients, Benefits, Juice, and More
7 Proven Ways Matcha Tea Improves Your Health
Chili Peppers 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Effects
Medical Disclaimer
PURE Juicer is a juicing company. We are not doctors or medical experts. All content and information on this blog and website is for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, and does not establish any patient-client relationship by using this website.
Although we strive to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for professional advice. You should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in your area for your health questions and concerns before making any professional, legal, medical, financial, or tax-related decisions.
