I am sure that you have heard the hype about the wonderful benefits of juicing fresh fruits and vegetables or making smoothies out of them. But which is better? It seems that the moment you run out to buy a juicer or a high powered blender though, you come across an article touting the advantages of the one you didn’t buy. After some confusion (and frustration), you may just conclude they are pretty much the same thing. After all, they both help increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. Our bodies get the same results from either one, right? Let’s take a closer look…
Juicing
Anyone who has used a juicer before knows that juicing creates waste. Yes, you can absolutely use up that pile of vegetables and/or fruits in other recipes. When you drink your glass of fresh juice though, it is just the liquid. The vitamin and mineral content of the juice is not going to be the same amount as the whole food because there are nutrients lost in the solid material. Fiber is also lost. Because all of the fiber is lost in the waste, juice alone can actually be a cause of constipation. Surprising, isn’t it? The liquid and nutrients from juice are easily absorbed into the body, but there is no mass left over to help push food through your digestive tract.
However, because juice is just a liquid, there is not much work that your body has to do in order to receive the benefits from it. The body easily assimilates the micronutrients. For someone who needs to get nutrients to the cells as quickly as possible or who may have a compromised digestive system, juicing is a great way to help the body heal faster. This is especially true for people whose bodies are already utilizing their energy stores for other functions, such as fighting off disease. This can also be especially helpful during phases of well planned out detox. When your body needs an easy fuel, juice is the way to go.
Smoothies
Blending is pretty straightforward. You consume exactly what you put in your blender. This means that all of the vitamins and minerals, as well as the fiber, will all be part of your smoothie. Leaving the peels on most of your fruits and vegetables is another great way to up both the nutrient level and the fiber. Smoothies are easier to digest than eating because the food is broken down to some degree. However, your body will still have more work to do in order to break down those nutrients compared to juicing. Some of the micronutrients will remain locked in the cell matrix of the plants and you won’t absorb them. For example, wheatgrass is an awesome superfood when juiced. It is not something that our bodies can absorb otherwise though, even when blended in a smoothie.
Since smoothies can be a little more taxing to digest than juice but still contain all of the fiber, they can be a good option for someone who at a less critical juncture in their health journey. They are also great for someone who is simply looking for a less messy way to increase their micronutrients on a daily basis.
So there you have it. Both juicing and blending are tasty ways to upgrade your diet, but they still have differences. Which one is your favorite?
Looking for more great information on how to up your nutrient intake and fuel a happy, healthy body? Consider booking a wellness consultation today.