Some health fanatics swear by “juicing”, while many others condemn it, and call it a “diet fad”. Leaving the extreme opinions aside, we cannot deny that juices have several benefits and support general wellness. Keeping up with the trend, we unravel some of the surprising facts about juicing.
1. Juices can be high in calories.
You may be frequently replacing water with fruit juices, assuming those are healthy drinks. But juices, especially fruit juices can be very calorie-dense, even without added sweeteners. Consider a 250 ml glass of grape juice. It contains about 150 calories. That is roughly about the same amount of calories you get by consuming 2 large eggs.
A glass of pomegranate juice has 136 calories, apple juice has 113 calories, and orange juice has 110 calories. Vegetable juices have much fewer calories.
Water, on the other hand, has 0 calories. So if you’re watching calories, you really should be careful about how much juice you are consuming.
2. Juicing for a cleanse
Juices are calorie-dense, but they are also nutrient-dense. The detoxifying effect of juices is expected to help in weight-loss. This is especially effective if you’re stuck with weight which wouldn’t budge.
Some nutritionists believe that our body cells store fat to fight with toxins. And, unless we get rid of the toxins, our body will not let go of the fat. Juices provide energy which is simple to digest and absorb. The vitamins and minerals absorbed by the body help in detoxification. Besides, there is a lot of energy saved because your digestive system gets a break from processing complex meals. This energy shift allows the body to cleanse and heal itself.
If you don’t believe it, try it for yourself.
3. Juicing for a healthy metabolism
Juices are a great source of natural enzymes that encourage a healthy metabolism. All raw foods contain beneficial enzymes which are destroyed by cooking or processing. When we consume fresh juice, our digestive enzymes get a boost, processing the juice completely in no time. The action of digestive enzymes play a crucial role in our overall metabolism, in other words, the way our body utilizes or stores energy.
The enzymes called Papain (in Papaya) and Bromelain (in Pineapple) have been known to aid in digestion and healing. Carrot juice and cucumber juice are also known to benefit energy metabolism.
4. Juicing for a healthy immune system
Juices are loaded with phytonutrients. These are plant derives special nutrients (other than vitamins and minerals) which are found in brightly coloured fruits and vegetables. These phytonutrients along with concentrated vitamins and minerals supply the body with antioxidants. Antioxidants fight cell damage caused due to stress and unhealthy habits. Scientific studies have observed that drinking fruit and vegetable juices regularly reduces the risk of heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
A daily routine of juicing with a balanced and healthy lifestyle boosts our immune system due to the powerful anti-oxidative effect. Some of the juices which are highly recommended for balanced immunity are aloe vera juice, apple and carrot juice, as well as raw mango juice.
5. Fresh juice is better
If you keep a jar full of juice from fresh fruits, to be consumed through the day, you must be unaware of this fact. Unpasteurized juices can develop harmful bacteria in the absence of preservatives. This is regardless of being kept in the fridge all the time.
There are many products in the market that are dedicated to juicing. Using these juicers is convenient, and you can get concentrate juices without the trouble of straining the fibre. Fresh and high speed juicing also retains fruit enzymes.
Always consume the juices fresh, and not out from the fridge. Alternatively, you can freeze left-over juice in ice trays to prevent contamination.
