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Calcium gets all the credit for strong bones, but it’s useless on its own. You need vitamin D to absorb it, and vitamin K to point it at your bones rather than somewhere unhelpful. Most of us are short on at least one of those.
This juice was my answer to that. It won’t rebuild your skeleton overnight, but it’s a genuinely easy way to get a solid hit of all three in one glass, and it tastes far better than anything this green has any right to.
Why bone health matters
Your bones aren’t the solid, unchanging things they feel like. They’re constantly being broken down and rebuilt, and from your mid-thirties the balance starts to tip the wrong way. What you eat matters more the older you get.
This recipe leans on the foods that do the most for your bones. Leafy greens for calcium and vitamin K. Oranges for vitamin C, which your body needs to make collagen, part of the scaffolding bone grows on. Fortified almond milk for a big, absorbable dose of calcium and vitamin D.
What does Bone Boost Juice taste like?
Honestly, sweeter than you’d expect from something this green. The orange and pineapple do most of the talking, with a fresh, earthy edge from the collards and celery. The almond milk rounds it off and gives it a creamy, smoothie-like texture. No grassy bitterness, which I know is the usual complaint with green juice.
What you’ll need (and why)
- Collard greens or kale The calcium and vitamin K. Collards are one of the most calcium-rich leafy greens there is.
- Oranges Vitamin C, which your body uses to build collagen.
- Carrots Vitamin A, for the cells that build and maintain bone.
- Celery Vitamin K, plus a little natural salt.
- Pineapple Sweetness and manganese, another mineral involved in bone formation.
- Chia seeds Plant calcium and omega-3s, and they thicken the juice slightly.
- Calcium-fortified almond milk The biggest single source of calcium and vitamin D in the glass.
How to make it
Two ways, depending on what you’ve got in the cupboard. A juicer gives you a smooth, clear drink. A blender and a quick strain gives you a thicker, higher-fibre one. Both are written out below.
Pro tips
- Scrub your oranges and carrots rather than peeling them. A surprising amount of the nutrients sit in and just under the skin.
- Drink it fresh. Vitamin C and the live enzymes break down quickly, so try to finish it within a day.
- Chill the glass first. Cold juice tastes noticeably sweeter, which means you can get away with less fruit.
- Too green for you? Swap the pineapple for half a green apple and a knob of ginger.
Why this is more than just a juice
Plenty of green juice recipes stop at “tastes good”. Fair enough. But the reason I keep coming back to this one is what’s actually in it: calcium, vitamin D and vitamin K arriving together, plus the magnesium and potassium your bones need for density.
It’s not a substitute for eating properly or doing some weight-bearing exercise. Nothing is. But as a daily habit it’s a useful top-up, particularly if you don’t eat much dairy or many leafy greens.
FAQ
Can I use spinach instead of collard greens or kale?
Yes. It’s milder, though collards and kale pack more calcium and vitamin K.
Do I have to add the chia seeds?
No, they’re optional. They add calcium, fibre and omega-3s and thicken the juice a bit. Skip them for a lighter drink.
How long does it keep?
Store it in airtight glass bottles in the fridge and drink within 24 hours.
Is it vegan?
Yes, everything in it is plant-based.
Bone Boost Juice
Equipment
- 1 Juicer masticating or centrifugal
- 1 High-speed blender for the blender method
- 1 Nut milk bag or fine-mesh sieve to strain the blender version
- 2 Airtight glass bottles for storing
- 1 Budget cold press juicer a great value alternative
- 1 Budget blender a great value alternative
Ingredients
Juice base
- 2 cups collard greens or kale, chopped
- 2 medium oranges, peeled
- 2 medium carrots, peeled
- 2 stalks celery
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or frozen)
Boost
- 1 tbsp chia seeds optional
- 1 cup calcium-fortified almond milk or filtered water
Instructions
Juicer method
- Wash all produce thoroughly, then peel the oranges and carrots.
- Feed the collard greens (or kale), oranges, carrots, celery and pineapple through your juicer.
- Stir in the chia seeds, then pour in the calcium-fortified almond milk (or filtered water).
- Leave to sit for 5 minutes so the chia seeds swell slightly (optional).
- Serve immediately, or store in airtight glass bottles in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
Blender method
- Roughly chop all the produce and add to a high-speed blender with the almond milk (or water).
- Blend on high until completely smooth.
- Strain through a nut milk bag or fine-mesh sieve for a smoother juice.
- Stir in the chia seeds and serve.
Lovely juice, easy to make.