Are you aware that some green leafy veggies are high in nitrates and therefore may contribute to migraine headaches? Hence the need for a low nitrate green drink.
While higher levels of nitric oxide (and raw, green, leafy veggies) may be a good thing for people with hypertension and high blood pressure, it’s not so great for those of us with hypotension and low blood pressure. Nitrates contribute to vasodilation and low blood pressure, and when our blood pressure is low (as most of ours are who are prone to migraines), there is insufficient blood and therefore oxygen getting to the head (as well as impingement on nearby cranial nerves). If you’re not familiar with this problem, please read my blog post “Migraine Trigger Alert! High Levels of Nitrates in Green Leafy Veggies.”
Below is the recipe I use when I want a low nitrate green drink.
It’s absolutely delicious, and the mint acts as an antihistamine! According to Anthony William, cucumber juice helps to reduce nausea.
Cucumber juice is also one of the best natural diuretics around, aiding in the excretion of wastes through the kidneys and helping to dissolve uric acid accumulations such as kidney and bladder stones. It has the ability to help reduce edema, bloating and swelling in the body. It also has wonderful anti-inflammatory benefits which can significantly benefit autoimmune and neurological disorders such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Migraines, Anxiety, Depression, Shingles, Eczema, Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, & Lupus. (Source).
Run these veggies through your juicer and enjoy!
1/2 head of Romaine Lettuce
1 medium sized cucumber
1/2 large pear
1/2 cup fresh mint
1 carrot
1/2 lemon without peel
1 stick of celery
1 inch of ginger (optional)
1 carrot (optional)
I hope this information will empower you to keep eating your greens in a way that is truly nourishing to you given your unique sensitivities. I will continue to update this article as I learn more about nitrates.