Citrus fruits contain a large amount of vitamin C, which makes them incredibly healthy. They help equip your immune system to fight against colds and viruses more efficiently.
On top of that, a glass of your favorite citrus juice can give you a much-needed energy boost in the morning.
Many people use blenders to turn their favorite fruits into tasty smoothies. But just as many – if not more – are opting for juices instead. Although some see juicing as a fad, there are many reasons why it may be better for you than blending.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the main pros and cons of juicing. We’ll also compare it to blending to help you decide if you should change the way you serve your fruit.
The Pros of Juicing
Here are some of the reasons why many people prefer juicing over blending:
Juice Has More Nutrients
No matter which fruit you choose to juice, the juicer will extract all the water and nutrients from it. Left behind will be the seeds, fibers, skins, and peels. This will give your body immediate access to the nutrients, which means that it will get the benefits in a shorter amount of time. And because there’s no fiber, your body won’t have to spend extra energy to digest it.
You’ll Get a Quicker Energy Boost
Citrus fruit juice has a much higher concentration of nutrients than a blender-made smoothie. What’s more, it’s predigested, meaning that your body can absorb all the nutrients very quickly. This results in a faster energy boost than you would get from a smoothie.
More Fruit Fits Into a Single Glass
The lack of fiber and other elements left behind in the juicer also means that you can fit more juice into a single glass than you could if you used a blender.
There’s No Bitter Aftertaste
Fruit juicers remove the seeds and pulp, so there’ll be no bitter aftertaste.
Children Prefer Juices to Raw Fruits and Veggies
Many kids don’t like to eat fresh vegetables, while some of them also dislike fresh fruits. However, as a parent, you need to make sure that your child’s diet includes enough of both, as they contain nutrients that are essential to his or her health.
Fruit and vegetable juices are an easy way to introduce these essential foods into your child’s diet. For example, they might not like raw or steamed kale. But if you mix some kale with green apples and lemons to make a tasty juice, your children won’t be able to resist this antioxidant-rich treat.
The Cons of Juicing
As you can see, the benefits of juicing are quite extensive. But there are also some downsides that you should consider. These include the following:
Juicing Takes More Time Than Blending
Juicing takes time – you need to peel the fruits, cut or slice them, and remove the pulp and fiber. Not only that, but you also have to clean your juicer after each use. Sure, you have to do this with blenders, too, but juicers usually have more parts, so it could take you longer to clean them thoroughly.
It’s Also Less Economical
Juicing may also be less economical than blending, not only in terms of money but storage space, too. Because you’ll be using more fruits for a single glass of juice, you’ll obviously need to buy more fruits. For the same reason, you’ll also have to keep more fruits in your fridge or elsewhere in your kitchen.
Juices Might Not Be As Satiating as Smoothies
Fiber is very important because it slows down the digestion process and allows you to go for longer between meals. But because juicing eliminates all fibers, they can’t make you feel as full as smoothies can. Even if they manage to help satiate your hunger, the effects are only short-lived.
For the same reason, you shouldn’t try to replace all your meals with fruit or vegetable juices. Sure, you can replace one or two snacks with a glass of freshly made green juice, but eating a balanced diet is the only way to ensure that you’re getting all the nutrients you need to maintain your health.
Juicing Can Make Your Blood Sugar Levels Rise
Because juices are predigested, they go directly into your bloodstream. If you’ve used too much fruit or vegetables that are too sweet, this can cause a temporary spike in your blood sugar levels. The best way to avoid this is to always combine fruits and vegetables when making juice. Also, whenever possible, don’t add any extra sugar to your juices, as fruits and vegetables already contain enough of them.
The Final Word
There are many reasons why juicing your fruits and vegetables might be better than blending them.
Juices are stripped of fiber, pulp, and seeds, so your body can absorb the nutrients much faster. This, in turn, means that juices can give you a quick energy boost whenever you need it. Plus, they are also a great way to add some healthy fruits and vegetables to your child’s diet.
Of course, the only way to get all the health benefits of fruits is to eat them raw. Yet statistics show that only 13% of Americans get enough fruit this way. Juicing could thus be a great way to improve your health and give your immune system a boost.