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To Juice Or Not To Juice: The Science of Juicing

ByAnthony Hendriks

Nov 30, 2015
nutri bullet juicer

Most people these days are becoming more aware of their health and are constantly trying to improve the way they eat and exercise. The recommended intake of veggies and fruit is about 2.5 to 3 cups per day but this is a bit unrealistic with our working schedules and busy lives, hence many are turning to juicing. A fruit and vegetable juicer is a fast energy and health booster.

But as is the case with every new trend, there are so many myths and facts surrounding juicing and juicers. Let’s get down to the science of it and see just what your fruit and vegetable juicer can do for you.

juice

1. Juicing heals

There are a lot of rumors and false information out there. While there are long term benefits of juicing, you shouldn’t believe everything you read. Juicing does have health-boosting powers, but it does not heal. For example, it can help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s as there are high levels of polyphenols which are a type of antioxidants that help protect brain neurons, but juicing cannot reverse the disease.

2. Fresh juice is safe

Most people don’t think that juice can be bad for you. Well it can, if you don’t do it properly. Juice is best served fresh, you want to make sure you drink it almost straight away. Also, wash your produce to get rid of bacteria or pesticides before you juice it unless you buy organic. Juice can go bad and it can grow bacteria so it’s best not to keep it.

3. You can have as much fruit juice as you like

A fruit juice every now and then is okay, more than that can lead to unwanted health problems. Fruit is high in natural sugar which can lead to a blood sugar spike. If you just juice fruits, this can also raise the risks of diabetes. You should mostly juice vegetables and add small quantities of fruit if you want a little sweetness.

4. There is no fiber in juice

Juice can never replace whole vegetables, while it doesn’t get rid of all the fiber, it does get rid of a vast amount. Fiber is beneficial to our health as it reduces our risk for heart disease, keeps you fuller for longer, and lowers your cholesterol levels. You can buy a fruit and vegetable juicer that keep more fiber or you can incorporate the pulp into your later meals to absorb the fiber from the produce.

5. Juice is a meal replacement

While you can lose weight on a juice fast, it is actually not good for your body. Juice has no protein or fat your body needs so it slows your metabolism. Moreover, once you go back to eating solids, you will actually gain weight because your metabolism is not being able to process the solid food as fast. You should try to eat a healthy balance of solids and juice.

6. Juice can replace whole vegetables

Vegetables are so great for your body and so is using a vegetable juicer to juice them, but the fact is that nothing can beat eating them whole. There is a myth that because there is no fiber, your body absorbs the nutrients faster and this is simply not true. Your body is made for fiber and fiber will actually help you absorb those nutrients better and more efficiently.

By Anthony Hendriks

The life of the party, Anthony is always up for spending some time with family and friends, when not blogging of course! Ever since a child, his love for books of mystery, race cars and travelling keeps on growing so it's difficult for him to single out that one all-time favourite hobby. If there's one thing he hates, though, it's having pictures taken but you already guessed that from his choice of plant photo for the blog.