There’s no specific diet proven to reduce psoriasis symptoms such as skin plaques, irritation, or itching. Still, some people explore options like juicing for skin conditions to help manage symptoms and avoid flare-ups. For some MyPsoriasisTeam members, that means squeezing fresh fruits and vegetables into nutrient-rich drinks.

“I recommend strict, lifelong dietary changes, including juicing,” one member shared. Another said, “Juicing and staying away from preservatives seem to help reduce the intensity of a lot of my flares.”

If you’re thinking about adding juicing to your routine to help manage your psoriasis, here are some important facts, along with tips and recipes to get you started.

What Is Juicing?

Juicing involves separating the liquid parts of fruits or vegetables (the juice) from the solids (pulp and fiber). This is usually done by either squeezing the produce by hand or using a juicer. The result is a smooth, drinkable juice.

Juicing is different from blending, which mixes the entire fruit or vegetable — including pulp and fiber — into a thicker drink.

What Are the Benefits of Juicing?

Many people believe juicing produces a concentrated source of nutrients from fruits or vegetables, making it easier for the body to absorb. However, there’s no scientific evidence that drinking juice is better for you than eating the entire fruit or vegetable, whether for treating a skin condition or overall health.

For those who don’t like eating produce whole, juicing may be a convenient way to add fruits and veggies to their diet. But scientists agree that, in general, juicing doesn’t provide more health benefits than consuming a whole piece of produce.

What Are the Risks of Juicing?

Because juicing removes fiber from produce, drinking too much juice can negatively affect some people. Fiber is the indigestible portion of plant foods. It is essential for keeping the gut healthy and supporting the body’s natural detoxification for clearer skin.

Without fiber to help you feel full, it’s easy to drink large amounts of juice and, with it, high levels of natural sugar. This is especially true for fruit juices, which tend to have more sugar than vegetable juices. For some people, this can spike blood sugar levels, trigger insulin imbalances, and increase inflammation, all of which can worsen psoriasis symptoms.

In addition, some people with psoriasis report that sugar can trigger psoriasis flare-ups. “My biggest triggers are stress and sugar,” one MyPsoriasisTeam member wrote. Another said, “Sugar and gluten cause me to flare up so badly.”

If you notice your psoriasis symptoms get worse when you consume sugar, juicing could potentially make flare-ups more likely.

Can Juicing Help Reduce Psoriasis Symptoms?

Although no studies have looked at the effects of juicing on psoriasis specifically, research shows that eating fruits and vegetables can be a great way to support overall health.

A 2020 study suggested that, because people process foods differently, those with psoriasis may benefit from personalizing their diets to avoid ingredients that trigger flares and include those that may help the skin. The researchers found that simple sugars were among the most common triggering ingredients, while fiber (which can be found in whole fruits and vegetables) seemed to help ease psoriasis symptoms for some people.

Tips for Juicing and Blending With Psoriasis

If you prefer to drink your produce, blending may be a better option than juicing, since it preserves fiber. Aim for a mix of about two-thirds vegetables and one-third fruit. Doubling up on veggies can help ensure you maximize fiber and other nutrients while keeping natural sugars lower.

Here are some tips for healthier juices and smoothies:

• If you want a thinner, more juice-like consistency, add water, milk, or unsweetened plant-based milk like almond milk instead of fruit juice, which adds extra sugar.
• Add protein sources like yogurt, nut butters, or kefir to make your drink more filling and help balance your blood sugar.
• Include spices or flavorings that may boost health benefits or simply make your drinks taste better. Ingredients like cinnamon or vanilla extract add flavor without extra sugar, while anti-inflammatory options like fresh ginger or turmeric may help reduce inflammation.
• Green tea is another ingredient some people with psoriasis enjoy for its antioxidant properties. You can add cooled green tea to your smoothies for an extra health boost — search for “green tea psoriasis” to see how others incorporate it into their routines.

MyPsoriasisTeam members often share how they build smoothies around their favorite skin-enhancing ingredients to help with their psoriasis symptoms. “A raw stalk of broccoli in a smoothie every day for three months,” one member wrote. “I am proof that it works.” Another member said, “Spent about a week getting my anti-inflammatory foods into a smoothie — ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, and a tiny bit of cayenne. Feeling good!”

Before you add juices or smoothies to your diet, check with your doctor to make sure they won’t interfere with your medications or other components of your psoriasis treatment plan.

Try Out Some Juicing Recipes

If you’d like to add juices or blended smoothies to your diet to help with your skin condition, talk with a nutritionist, dietitian, or doctor about what ingredients may be best for you. Once you have their input, you can look for juicing recipes and ideas for smoothies. Here are two ideas to start with:

Join the Conversation

On MyPsoriasisTeam, people share their experiences with psoriasis, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Have you tried juicing or drinking smoothies to help your psoriasis symptoms? Let others know in the comments below.