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Top Five Under-Appreciated Juices

I know everyone and their mother are gaga for pomegranate and acai, but there's other ways to get your fruits and vegetables in liquid form without reverting to boring old apple and orange juice. Here are five juices you may have overlooked recently on supermarket shelves:

5) Prune Juice. The beverage aisle is no place for ageism: Staying regular isn't just for Grandma and Grandpa. True, prune juice's fiber makes it ideal for clearing the colon, but what you may not know is that its unusually high potassium content is also terrific for regulating your blood pressure.

4) Carrot Juice. Carrot juice was highly popular in the '80s and deserves a comeback given its high levels of Vitamins A, B and E. It's not particularly sweet, but considering drinking too much can give you an orange glow, it's probably good you won't be tempted to guzzle.

3) Blood Orange Juice. Tarter and darker than regular orange juice, blood orange juice is likewise high in Vitamin C. In the U.S., many brands are carbonated; combine that fizzy B.O.J. with champagne for extra bubbly mimosas.

2) Dragonfruit Juice. Dragonfruit juice is somewhat similar in taste to dark grape juice, though with stronger nectar texture. It can help with blood sugar levels and blood pressure, and some studies also suggest it's good for your skin. As the fruit is native to South America and Southeast Asia, the juice is fairly expensive in the United States, so indulge sparingly.

1) Tart Cherry. With greater anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties than regular cherries, liquified tart cherries make for an amazing post-workout recovery beverage. The taste, as you might expect, may make your lips muscles pucker, but your hamstrings will thank you.

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Joanna O'Leary