As we all know, juice and smoothie industry has gained popularity in last few years and it’s surprising to know that juice and smoothie stores are generating over $2.5 billion revenue annually. Pretty sweet isn’t it?
Whether you are going to those smoothie stores or making your own juice or smoothie at home, you must know the health benefits of your fruity drinks.
Fruits and vegetables are important part of healthy diet. It is always recommended to eat 5 different portions of fruits and vegetables. Balanced diet of fruits and vegetables help maintain heart health, reduces risk of cancer, boost immunity and maintain healthy weight.
So, what’s the difference between juicing and blending?
The difference between juicing vs blending is simple. With juicing you are going to extract fibers and pulp from juice. Blending breaks down fruits and vegetables into fibers and pulp along with juice. Juicing is liquid only whereas blending makes your drink thicker with pulp.
I prefer blending over juicing but that’s personal preference considering the benefits of fibers.
Blending 101
Blending keeps fiber from fruits and vegetables that helps in better digestion.
Fibers in fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants and works as meal replacement.
Juicing 101
You can get more concentrated amounts of vitamins and nutrients.
Be cautions when you pick fruits as some fruits are high in sugar.
It doesn’t contain fiber. Fiber is most important part of diet that supports digestion.
Why I prefer Blending over Juicing?
If we look at the nutrient concentration between juicing vs. blending then you will be tempted to lean towards juicing. It is true as juicing contains more concentration of nutrients as most of nutrients are in fruits and vegetable juice. But, that’s not the only factor you should concentrate.
Fiber is important part of diet. Let’s step back and get into details. When you blend fruits and vegetables, you are extracting juice but also breaking down fruits and vegetables in tiny fibers, we call it pulp.
Fiber plays major role in digestion and is a great source of antioxidants. For example, fiber from apple, pear, oranges, carrots and similar fruits and vegetables dissolves in water and slows down digestion. Indirectly these soluble fibers help maintain blood sugar level. Insoluble fibers from potatoes and leafy vegetables help your bowl movement.
Fiber also contains antioxidants, for example blueberry blend with pulp has more antioxidants compared to plain blueberry juice. Same applies to grapes and oranges. It’s a science, antioxidants compound are primarily found in the fibrous membranes of the fruit.
Verdict
Juicing and blending both have benefits. Juicing has higher concentration of nutrients and that help consuming more fruits and vegetables in small portion. But juicing lack important fiber content that’s responsible for digestion and build immunity.
With blending you get all nutrients plus fiber in form of pulp, but to some people it is not attractive factor.
About sugar content, if your goal is weight loss then you have to be cautions while selecting fruits and vegetables for juicing or blending as some fruits and vegetables are higher in sugar content.
Expert says smoothie diet is one of the best options if weight loss is your goal.
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