Have you ever noticed that on most websites,world’s healthiest fruits are usually listed but no fruit juices are specifically mentioned as
the preferred form for healthy eating. The reason for this is because irrespective of the fruit and the method used for juicing, the most intact and
diverse collection of nutrients comes through the whole fruits.
Now lets get down to real discussion...
The benefits of the skin
The skins of healthiest fruits such as blueberries, apples,
figs, apricots, pears, grapes, prunes, plums, raspberries, raisins and
strawberries – are all sites of important biological activity in the life of
the fruit. The skin is the place where the fruit interacts with light, and
forms a variety of colored pigments that absorb different wavelengths of light. These pigments, including flavonoids and carotenoids are
well researched to be nutrients protecting nourishment and health. The skins of
whole fruits like grapes actually have ability to help provide protection from
ultraviolet light and help lower risk of cancer. Unfortunately, when fruits are
juiced, it is not always possible to enjoy the skin. That is because many
juicing processes remove the skin, and do not allow for skin’s benefits to get
into the juice.
The benefits of the pulp
In addition to the skin, which is a main source of fiber,
the pulpy part of the fruit also contains fiber and other nutrients as well.
Orange juice is a good example of the health benefits of pulp. The white pulpy
part of the orange is important source of its flavonoids. The juicy colored
sections of the orange contain most of its vitamin C. In the body, vitamin C
and flavonoids work together and support health through their co working.
If the pulpy white part of the orange is removed during
making orange juice, the flavonoids will be lost during the process. This loss is
one of the many reasons for eating the orange in its whole food form even if
you only end up eating a little bit of the white pulpy part. Although many
commercial products claim to have added pulp on their labels, many are not even
the original pulp and it is highly unlikely to be added back in the amount
removed.
Juicing reduces the fiber content
Do you know how much fiber is lost in the conversion from
whole fruit to fruit juice? A cup of apple juice with removed pulp contains no
measurable amount of fiber. To create eight-ounce glass of juice, approximately
4 apples are needed. They contain about 12-15 grams of dietary fiber for a
total. Virtually all of these 15 grams are lost in the production of juice.
These 15 grams of lost fiber, if added back into the juice, would fully double
the average daily fiber intake.
Is juice unhealthy?
The answer depends on what food it replaces and how it is
consumed. Juice that has been robbed of its fiber and broad range of nutrients
is basically just source of sugar that lacks the supportive nutrients to help
it digest and metabolize. Fruit juice increases blood sugar more quickly than
whole fruit and the level of sugar that can be obtained from juice is higher
than the level found in fruit. Additionally, many fruit juices that are sold
contain only a small percentage of real juice and contain added sweeteners. As
a result, it is easy to consume a large amount of calories without getting any
actual nutrition when you drink these beverages. Be sure you read labels
carefully.
Here's an important information you need to note!
If fruit juice is the only possible choice for replacing
soda, experts are all in favor of fruit juice vs. soda. If fruits are juiced
together with veggies, the pulp is retained and juicing allows increasing
intake of veggie substantially. However, in most cases, the switch from whole
fruit to fruit juice can only be made at the expense of full health and
nourishment.
Thank you for stopping by as usual, kindly drop your comments we'll love to hear from you.
Wow I always thought fruit juice was better and healthier but with this information, I'd rather consume my fruits whole.
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