Our world is becoming more health-conscious day by day and it’s no surprise many people are taking their health seriously. With a lot of emerging infectious disease, and some diseases sprouting from poor lifestyle choices, people are searching for ways to improve their immune health.
One of the most trendy things is juicing, and for good reason! The process of blending your typical fruits and vegetables into a smoothie or liquid form has been popular since the ’70s. Many claim that juicing removes toxins and helps in reducing weight, but there are a variety of topics.
If you’re wondering if juicing is worth it, then we are here to help. In this article, we will address the benefits of juicing, the potential side effects, and the best juicers on the market.
Let’s get started!
What Is Juicing?
So you may have questions like how does juice veggies and fruits work? Well, it may sound like something only health nuts do but it’s not. Juicing although commonly intertwined with blending, is beneficial to your body and overall health.
Juicing is another form of consuming fruits and vegetables and there’s no denying that eating fruits and vegetables is highly beneficial to you! Research suggests that adults should consume 2 cups of mixed colorful fruits and 2 ½ cups of green and yellow leafy and solid vegetables! By juicing, or making smoothies you can get in more fruits and vegetables in an easy way.
Juicing is the process of removing the solid fibrous materials using a juicer resulting in a liquid-only juice that is free from the bulk of the fibrous materials and juice that you get from blending. This, while great for everyone, is also great for people who have a hard time breaking down fibrous vegetables. It can help you digest a variety of nutrients but without having to break down the hard fibrous part of the vegetable.
Benefits Of Juicing
There are many different benefits that come with juicing that you might experience. The difference between juicing and blending is what makes juicing an incredibly healthy trend of eating.
We can’t address all the benefits of juicing, but we will share the most commonly experienced here.
1. Higher Concentration Of Vitamins
A higher concentration of vitamins and other important nutrients such as antioxidants, phytochemicals, and certain fruit/vegetable compounds.
2. Liquid Form
Liquid form means your body doesn’t have to digest it through a long period which means your body gets to absorb the nutrients at a rapid rate.
3. Healthy Blood Sugar Levels
Rapidly increases healthy blood sugar levels which results in better insulin sensitivity.
4. Decreased Risk Of Heart Diseases
Studies have shown regular consumption of fruit and vegetable juices accompanied by a healthy diet and an active lifestyle decreases your risk of heart diseases.
5. Decreased Risk Of Cancer
Decreases your risk of certain cancer such as prostate cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, and skin cancer.
6. Skin Health
Consuming fruit and vegetable juices increase the glow of the skin, making it more supple, hydrated, clear, and healthy, this is because of the colorful carotenoids present in the juice which gives a healthy color to the skin.
7. Reduced Risk Of Alzheimer’s
A study found that regular consumption of fruit and vegetable juices may reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s while significantly improving your brain function.
8. Stronger Immunity
Consuming fruit and vegetable juices means you are overdosing on Vitamin C a lot which provides you stronger immunity against bacteria and viruses.
9. Increased Weight Loss
Consuming fruit and vegetable juice along with a proper caloric deficit diet increases fat and weight loss which is especially beneficial to people trying to shed off some pounds.
Although there are many benefits to the juicing phenomenon, there might be potential side effects and downsides to juicing, you may be missing a critical nutrient needed – fiber.
Juicing Potential Side Effects
Fiber is important in healthy digestion and the proper detoxification process of the colon. By juicing your fruits and vegetables you are removing all trace fibers with only the liquid left behind.
Alongside that, many GMO processes fruits and vegetables contain harmful trace chemicals coming from the fertilizer. Unfortunately, this may be included in the juicing process if the fruits and vegetables are not properly washed with lukewarm water.
Another thing to consider is that it can be incredibly expensive to do juicing regularly alongside the preparation length. Properly washing the fruits and vegetables and cutting them into small pieces can take a while, so you have to allocate enough time.
Besides that juicing is a relatively safe trend and there are no potential harmful effects from consuming it regularly. You may have to consult your dietitian first before you incorporate it into your diet especially if you have a fitness goal.
A lot of people, especially women, are swearing to the weight loss effects of consuming fruit and vegetable juices but this is mostly because they’re not eating properly and they’re starving themselves by drinking empty calories of juice. It is always important to consume calories as they are our main source of fuel and by not doing so you are risking yourself from digestive issues, fatigue, lack of energy, and vitality.
Recommended Juicer Brands
Here are some of the most noteworthy juicer brands that will upgrade your juicing to the next level. These three brands are highly approved by amazon users and are well-known for their efficiency and great features!
1. Breville Juice Fountain Cold Plus
This great juicer has a very wide tube that you can even put one whole apple on it and still fit! A centrifugal juicer that is of high quality and ensures all your juices are refined, sweet, and smooth!
It also has a spacious 70-ounce pitcher and heavy-duty lid perfect for storing a large batch of juice for your friends and family to enjoy! All of that at a reasonable price!
GET THE BEST PRICE ON BREVILLE JUICE FOUNTAIN COLD PLUS2. Hamilton Beach Easy Clean Big Mouth 2-Speed Juice Extractor
This blender is a fan favorite as it is both easy to assemble and simple to use. It’s a great way to make pulp-free juice! It’s also priced lower than most juicers, which is great for many users.
GET THE BEST PRICE ON HAMILTON BEACH EASY CLEAN BIG MOUTH 2-SPEED JUICE EXTRACTOR3. Breville The Big Squeeze Slow Juicer
The unique tube design of the Big Squeeze slow juicer makes it spacious enough to fill in all your colorful fruits and leafy greens in one piece of cake!
GET THE BEST PRICE ON BREVILLE THE BIG SQUEEZE SLOW JUICERShould You Start Juicing?
Juicing is beneficial to many, mainly because of its superb benefits including greater absorption of nutrients, a greater concentration of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidants per ounce, and a general increase in the consumption of fruits and vegetables without actually feeling full.
Not only that, those people who have a sensitive stomach may benefit from drinking juices, fruits, and vegetables rather than by consuming them by eating.
Whether you’re trying to bulk up some muscle and gain weight or trying to shed off some pounds, juicing is a great health trend to incorporate into your lifestyle.
It provides you a lot of numerous benefits, just be careful in properly washing the fruits and vegetables you’re trying to juice as it may contain trace chemicals from its growth source. It’s also best to try to buy your fruits and veggies into a local farm-grown store instead of big shopping malls where most of the food products are GMO and are heavily processed.