Which is better: juices or smoothies? Does on offer more health benefits than the other? Do you need to be drinking both?
These are very common questions amongst people who are just beginning their wellness journey or are already on it.
After reading this article you’re going to understand the main differences between the two and know once and for all if you should be drinking one or the other, or both.
Juices
Juicing is when you put fruits and vegetables through a juicer and almost all of the fibre is removed.
I think it’s important to note that it’s a myth that all of the fibre is removed via juicing.
There are 2 main types of fibre in fruits and vegetables – insoluble and soluble. Insoluble fibre adds bulk to our stools, it helps fill us up and speeds the food up through our digestive tract. Most of the insoluble fibre is removed during juicing although it is still present in small amounts.
Soluble fibre absorbs water like a sponge, providing bulking matter which acts as a prebiotic to support good bacterial growth. Soluble fibre includes pectins, gums and mucilage which is still present in the juice.
Many people find that incorporating juicing actually improves their digestion and bowel movements due to the soluble fibre in the juice combined with the extra nutrients and hydration.
Of course, having all the fibre intact is beneficial, but there are also benefits to removing it too. This is because when it is removed you get a denser and more concentrated form of nutrients which are easily assimilated by the body due to it being liquid. Insoluble fibre slows down the absorption of micronutrients, so juicing is fast-tracking your nutrient intake. This is especially beneficial when someone is trying to heal, as their body’s ability to absorb nutrients and digest food is effected.
Freshly squeezed juices restore and rejuvenate the body and nourish it on a cellular level.
Most people simply don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables in their daily diet. Juicing allows you to massively increase your intake of these plant foods which otherwise might be hard eating them whole or in a smoothie.
Could you imagine sitting down to eat 6 leaves of kale, 2 celery sticks, 1 cucumber, 1 lemon and 2 apples? For some that might be appealing, but to most, probably not.
It is true that some nutrients are lost via the pulp, but a large percentage still remains and the benefits of juicing highly outweigh that small negative.
Smoothies
Smoothies consist of the entire fruit and vegetables, skin and all, blended into a liquid drink. They contain all of the fibre, creating a slow release of nutrients and tend to be more filling.
Smoothies are fantastic to have as a meal replacement. Although not as easily digested as juices, they are still quite easily assimilated, as the fruits and vegetables are pre-digested (fibres are pulled apart) during the blending process.
Tips for getting the most out of your juices and smoothies
- Try to drink your juice or smoothie straight away. After 15 minutes, light and air will begin to destroy the nutrients. If you can’t drink it straight away, transfer it to a dark airtight container.
- If you’d like to incorporate juices and smoothies on a regular basis, or you already do, then one of the best investments you can make is in a high quality juicer and blender. Cheaper, centrifugal juicers destroy the nutrients with heat and oxygen and the same goes for blenders. You want one that doesn’t heat up the enzymes while it’s pulling apart the fibres. While it may cost more, premium equipment will not only last longer but will make your food taste much better, allowing you to enjoy drinking them so much more. Click HERE to go to my shop and check out the high quality juicers and blenders I recommend.
In conclusion, I believe juices and smoothies both have an essential place in a healthy diet. They each have incredible benefits, and using them in combination will help you to increase your nutrient intake and experience healing, rejuvenation and increased energy levels.
