Eating raw, fresh, and organic fruit and vegetables is healthy and it is essential for those who wants to become or stay in good physical shape. Since most of the people these days are busy, it’s easier to consume fruits and vegetables in liquid form. With this, the argument about which one among blending and juicing comes in. For some juicing is more beneficial while others find blending more convenient. But when it comes to health benefits, both can be essential.
To be able to help you decide which one is better between the two processes, here are their differences as well as their advantages and disadvantages.
The Differences Between Juicing and Blending
Juicing and blending requires different equipment. Use Balance of Nature for an alternate quick route if you don’t have a blender. Juicers have blades or gears responsible in grating and grinding fruits and vegetables. It spins the juice out of the produce pulp and the pulp is separated from the juice. Blenders on the other hand, also have blades. It pulverizes the fruits and vegetables. Unlike in juicing, the pulp stays in the smoothie which makes it thicker.
You can get fiber in both processes but different kinds. When you juice fruits and vegetables, you will get soluble fiber. It absorbs water in the intestines, forming a gel which helps slow the transit of food through your digestive tract. It is also acts as a prebiotic that supports healthy bacteria in your stomach. When you blend fruits and vegetables into smoothies, you will get insoluble fiber. This kind of fiber will make you feel full because it can take up more room in your stomach.
If you want to lose weight, it’s advisable to juice fruits and veggies, but if you want to maintain your weight or get healthier, blending fruits and vegetables is more advisable.
Advantages of Blending
When you blend fruits and vegetables, you are able to create a smoothie which is a blend of whole foods, meaning, you’re keeping the nutrients from the fruits and veggies intact. Also in blending, you can add additional nutritious ingredients to your smoothie like Greek yogurt for more protein. You can also add some healthy fats such as chia seeds and almond butter.
Blending can break down both soluble and insoluble fiber in fruits and veggies. When you consume blended fruits and vegetables, the glucose from them will be absorbed in your bloodstream slower than straight juicing. Also, blended drinks oxidize slower in your system compared to juicing. Therefore, there are more targeted nutrients for you in the long run. The blender can also break down plant cell walls which release antioxidants. This will make your veggies easier to digest.
Disadvantages of Blending
When you blend fruits and vegetables, there’s a chance for you to produce a lot which will make you consume more servings of fruits and veggies than recommended. Some might think that this is a good thing but this means you’ll be consuming more calories than you can burn which might prevent weight loss or it may lead to weight gain.
Another risk factor when it comes to smoothies is the sugar contents because fruits can quickly increase the sugar content in your smoothie. Therefore, you need to stuff your smoothie with green leafy vegetables to balance the sugar it contains.
Advantages of Juicing
Consuming fruits and vegetables in juice form which contains no pulp can make the nutrients quickly assimilated into the bloodstream and readily available for detoxification. Unlike in blending which takes time to digest the fibers, consuming juice allows the nutrients to be easily available to your vital organs. Juicing produce can be the most efficient way to flood the body with vitamins and minerals. It’s also good for those with digestive problems.
If you do not like to eat raw veggies like carrots and celery, turning them into cold pressed juice is a good method of masking them with sweet palatable fruit. Consuming veggies in juice form will save you from eating a giant kale salad, chock full of collard greens, beets, and more. And when you juice fruits and veggies, you will be able to consume three to five founds of them in just one bottle.
Disadvantages of Juicing
For people who wants to lose weight, they tend to replace meals with juice. Yes, juice in your everyday diet is good but replacing meals with juices is only good if you’re doing a juice cleanse. If you want to lose weight, you still need to accompany your juice with a balanced diet.
There’s a chance for you to experience blood sugar spike when juices are made with fruit or other high sugar veggies, especially when you do not consume any food at the same time. Also, when juices contain more fruits than veggies, it means you’re taking up more carbohydrates than expected.
Conclusion
Both juicing and blending are beneficial when it comes to consuming healthy fruits and veggies. They may have different effects, taste, and texture, but both are nutritious. Choosing which is better from the two will depend on your needs and preferences. However, once you’ve decided between blending and juicing, make sure to invest in good quality equipment so you can get the all the benefits from fruits and vegetables.