Green Pepper and Carrot Juice

Why people make this juice

Bro Niu was initially sceptical about green pepper juice — the smell seemed off-putting. Then a retired doctor friend mentioned he had been drinking one or two green peppers’ worth of juice every day after his post-retirement check-up revealed elevated blood pressure and cholesterol. After a period of regular drinking, both markers came back down noticeably. Bro Niu tried it himself and found that, especially blended with carrot or apple, it is actually quite pleasant. He was interested to learn that green bell pepper contains roughly five times the vitamin C of a tomato and twice that of a lemon, plus vitamin P (bioflavonoids) which help maintain capillary elasticity — a key factor in circulation and blood pressure regulation.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suitable for those looking to support healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, and arterial flexibility through their diet
• Helpful in summer for those prone to overheating, as green pepper has a cooling, metabolism-supporting quality
• Good for those with dry skin, brittle nails, or dull hair — green pepper contains silicon compounds that support hair and nail growth
• Those on blood-thinning medication (e.g., warfarin) can drink this juice, but limit to 3 times per week — Bro Niu notes it is safe alongside such medication
• Those with high blood pressure or diabetes on medication can also drink this, again limited to about 3 times per week to avoid disrupting sodium-potassium balance

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Green bell pepper (qing jiao): Rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, and bioflavonoids (vitamin P); associated with supporting capillary integrity, discouraging cholesterol from adhering to vessel walls, and improving circulation; silicon supports hair and nails; raw use better preserves nutritional content than cooking
• Carrot (hong luo bo): Adds sweetness and provides beta-carotene (best absorbed cooked, but still beneficial raw); softens the flavour of the green pepper; silicon in carrot also benefits nails and dry hair
• Apple (optional): Further balances the flavour; a practical addition if the raw pepper taste is too strong

Ingredients (1 serving)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Green bell pepper (qing jiao)	1 medium	Remove skin and seeds before blending
Carrot	1 small segment (~80 g)	Peeled
Apple (optional)	Half, peeled	For sweetness; omit if preferred
Cool boiled water	A small splash	To aid blending

Method

1. Remove the skin and seeds from the green bell pepper; cut into small pieces.
2. Peel the carrot; peel and core the apple if using; cut both into small pieces.
3. Place everything in a blender or juicer. Add a small splash of cool boiled water to help it blend smoothly.
4. Blend until smooth and drink immediately.
5. Drink 3 times per week.

Bro Niu’s tips

Raw green pepper juice preserves more nutrients than cooked. When making it in a blender, remove the seeds and skin first, cut into small pieces, add a piece of cucumber or half an apple and a little cool water, and blend — the flavour is quite good. Those with cold constitutions or sensitive stomachs can add 2–3 slices of fresh ginger to any vegetable juice to reduce its cooling effect. Pregnant women can also enjoy vegetable juices — just avoid papaya, which may stimulate uterine contractions.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (chenchieh): My husband has high blood pressure affecting his heart, and sometimes low potassium. Can he drink green pepper juice? Bro Niu: Yes, people with high blood pressure can drink green pepper juice. You can also make a “five greens juice” — green apple, green pepper, celery, cucumber, and bitter gourd — choosing any two or three of these to blend together. All are high-potassium foods and can be alternated, 3 times a week.

• Q (Andrea): If you have high blood pressure or diabetes and are on medication, can you drink this every day? Bro Niu: Those on medication for high blood pressure or diabetes can drink green pepper juice, but limit it to 3 times per week to avoid disrupting the body’s sodium and potassium balance.

• Q (Van): Can you add a little ginger to any vegetable juice, especially when you’re not sure if it’s cooling? Bro Niu: Yes — if you have a cold constitution, you can add a small amount of ginger to any vegetable juice to moderate its cooling nature.

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Published April 8, 2013 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.