HEALTH BENEFITS OF JUICE
Nutrient loss is inevitable with juicing
Pulp, as it seems, is where the nutrients are concentrated. As it turns out, it is not just fibre that we lose. Polyphenols and antioxidants found in citrus fruits as well as skins of fruits and vegetables may also not be extracted effectively when juicing.
Antioxidants are known to balance inflammation and enzymes that help with digestion. So even if you want some fruit juice, drink it right away as antioxidants and enzyme activity decreases over time.
All in all, bring the pulp back
In order to minimize the loss of fibre, you must retain some of the pulp. You can use a food processor or a blender, instead of a juicer to as this ensures the fiber-rich pulp remains in the juice.
As per a study published by the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, juices prepared by blending whole fruits have stronger antioxidant activities and contain larger amounts of phenolic compounds than juices that had been prepared by juicing just the flesh of the fruit.
That said, while juicing can help us consume important nutrients, it shouldn’t displace whole fruits and vegetables in our diet.
More importantly, you must be mindful of the fact that while juices contain natural sugars, they are still a concentrated source of calories. So, if you are someone who is watching their blood sugar levels or trying to keep carbohydrates or calories in check, it is critical to watch the portions of juice you are consuming and limit it without failing.
Please remember…
Juicing does have some benefits such as a greater concentration of nutrients per ounce of juice, increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, and enhanced absorption of nutrients. However, it can also make you miss out on important fibre and on other important compounds present in the pulp and membranes of the produce.
With blending, we’re getting all the nutrients that the fruit and vegetables have to offer.
