ABC Juice Recipe: Apple Beetroot Carrot for Skin & Detox

This ABC juice recipe uses apple, beetroot, and carrot — three ingredients that cost under Rs 40 combined. Many wellness blogs call it a "miracle drink." I would not go that far. But the nutrients in these three vegetables are real, well-studied, and genuinely good for your skin and energy levels. Here is exactly how to make it at home in 40 seconds.

What Is ABC Juice?

ABC stands for Apple, Beetroot, Carrot. That is it. No fancy superfood powders needed.

The drink got popular in East Asia first. Taiwanese and Chinese wellness communities started sharing the recipe in the early 2000s. From there it spread to India, mostly through YouTube and Instagram reels. You might have seen it called the "miracle drink" or "magic juice."

The combination works because each ingredient brings something different. Apple adds natural sweetness and fibre. Beetroot brings dietary nitrates that your body turns into nitric oxide. Carrot adds a big dose of beta-carotene. Together, they taste sweet enough to drink without added sugar.

What Science Actually Says

Let me be straight with you. ABC juice is healthy. But it is not medicine. Here is what the research actually says about each ingredient.

Beetroot: The nitrates in beetroot convert to nitric oxide in your body. A meta-analysis published in the Journal of Nutrition found that beetroot juice reduced arterial stiffness by a measurable amount (p=0.04). That means better blood flow. Athletes drink beetroot juice before workouts for this reason.

Beta-carotene fact: A controlled study found that eating beta-carotene-rich foods (like carrot) increased skin carotenoid levels by 10.8 percent over 12 weeks — giving skin a natural healthy glow without supplements — University of Nottingham, 2011.

Carrot: One medium carrot has over 200 percent of your daily vitamin A needs (as beta-carotene). This is the nutrient your skin uses to repair and regenerate. The orange colour literally comes from the same pigment that makes your skin look healthier.

Apple: Rich in quercetin (a polyphenol) and dietary fibre. Apples support digestion and gut health. One medium apple has about 4.4 grams of fibre.

The honest part: You will find blog posts claiming ABC juice cures cancer, reverses diabetes, or clears acne in 7 days. None of these claims have clinical proof. The individual ingredients are genuinely nutritious. Drinking them daily is a good habit. But calling it a miracle cure is irresponsible. Treat it as a healthy juice, not medicine.

ABC Juice Recipe — Exact Measurements

Total cost: Rs 25-36 per glass. Compare that to a cold-pressed ABC juice from a juice bar: Rs 150-250 for the same thing.

1. Peel the beetroot — the skin is tough and bitter. Apple and carrot skin can stay on (extra fibre).
2. Cut everything into small chunks — roughly 2 cm pieces. This helps the blender blades grab the ingredients.
3. Add to the blender — put softer ingredients (apple) first, then carrot, then beetroot on top.
4. Pour in 100 ml water — this gives the blades liquid to create a vortex. Without water, the ingredients just spin in place.
5. Blend for 40 seconds — one long pulse. You will hear the motor pitch change when everything is smooth.
6. Drink immediately — or strain through a mesh strainer if you prefer clear juice. But the fibre is the healthiest part.

Cost comparison: Homemade ABC juice costs Rs 25-36 per glass. Store-bought cold-pressed ABC juice costs Rs 150-250. That is 5 to 7 times more expensive for the same ingredients.

Why You Do Not Need a Cold-Press Juicer

Most people think ABC juice needs a cold-press juicer. It does not.

A cold-press juicer does one thing: it squeezes out the liquid and throws away the fibre. You pay Rs 5,000 to 15,000 for a machine that removes the healthiest part of the vegetable. The fibre in apple and carrot slows sugar absorption, feeds gut bacteria, and keeps you full longer.

A portable blender keeps all the fibre. You get a thicker drink, but it has more nutrition. If you want clear juice, just blend first and then strain through a regular mesh strainer. But honestly, the fibre is the best part.

Why you need 230W: Beetroot and carrot are hard, dense vegetables. The 150W V1 model or 180W Ultra Slim may leave chunks behind. The 230W motor in the InstaCuppa Portable Blender V2, V3, and V5 handles raw beetroot and carrot without leaving chunks. Cut into small pieces, add water, blend 40 seconds. Done.

Best Time to Drink ABC Juice

You will read everywhere that ABC juice must be taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Let me be honest: there is no strong study proving that morning empty stomach is better than any other time.

What matters is consistency. Drinking it daily — at whatever time works for you — is better than drinking it at the "perfect" time once a week.

That said, two practical tips:

• Before a meal is fine — the fibre helps slow sugar absorption from whatever you eat next.
• After a heavy meal is not ideal — the volume of juice plus food can cause bloating for some people.

Practical Warning — Beetroot Stains Everything

This is the part most recipes skip. Beetroot is messy. Here is what you need to know:

• Rinse the blender IMMEDIATELY after use. The longer beetroot juice sits, the deeper the stain. A quick rinse under running water right after drinking takes 10 seconds.
• Your blender bottle will turn pink. This is normal. It fades after 2-3 washes. It does not affect taste or hygiene.
• Wear an apron or dark clothes. One splash of beetroot juice on a white shirt is permanent. I learned this the hard way.
• Cut beetroot on a steel or glass surface — not on a plastic cutting board. Plastic absorbs the colour.
• Your urine may turn pink. This is called beeturia and happens to about 10 to 14 percent of people. It is completely harmless. Do not panic.

Variations Worth Trying

All three variations use the same base recipe. Just add the extra ingredient before blending. You may need an extra 10 seconds of blend time with ginger since it is fibrous.