Juicing has become a popular way to consume fruits and vegetables. For some people, especially those who do not regularly consume fruits or vegetables, it can be an efficient way to get some of those nutrients. However, in many cases, what is being touted as a “healthy” trend may actually be a disservice to yourself in terms of receiving optimal benefits of fruits and vegetables. Blending, as you will learn, provides more desired results than juicing.
Juicing
Juicing extracts the nutrients and water from produce, leaving behind the insoluble fiber. This process allows your body to break down food faster, and allows the nutrients to get to your system faster. Because it is easier to digest, it may be a good alternative for someone who has digestive problems. It’s important to note that when juicing with fruits, the juice enters into the bloodstream, causing a spike in blood sure. This can lead to an unstable level of blood sugar, energy loss and mood swings. Also, because the fiber is extracted, those that “juice” can become hungrier more quickly.
Blending
Blending, on the other hand does not extract all of the nutrients and water the same way. The entire fruit and vegetable is blended up, allowing you to blend different kinds of fruits and vegetables. When blending, you aren’t limited to just fruits and vegetables, you can also add protein or omega 3 fatty acids. When blending, it’s important to be mindful of serving sizes of your fruits, vegetables, fats or proteins. It is easy to add items to a blender for a healthy drink, but the calories can quickly add up. Be mindful of how much you are adding before you blend!
In any case, for optimal nutrition levels, nothing beats eating whole fruits and vegetables. For vegetables, raw, baked or steamed are the most nutritious options.
Reference: Nutritioned.org