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Health Benefits Of Juicing
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Published: September 15, 2006
If you have ever enjoyed a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, you have taken a baby step into the world of juicing.
Juicing is the mechanical process by which juice is extracted from a solid food, such as a fruit or vegetable. In recent years, juicing has assumed an important role the natural food and alternative health movement.
Juicing has even become a way of life for some people who believe the body absorbs nutrients from liquefied foods more easily. These people eat no solid food whatsoever.
What is the appeal of juicing? For one thing, it is an efficient way to consume the recommended five to six servings of fruit and vegetables each day. A recipe for 8 ounces of a juice drink called the Iron Maiden requires five carrots, six spinach leaves, four lettuce leaves, one-fourth of a turnip and four sprigs of parsley. That is at least two or three servings of vegetables right there.
That is also nutrition you can take in on the run. Think of how much time it would take to sit down and chew those five carrots alone!
Another advantage of juicing: you can enjoy fruit juices free of the added sugars found in commercially-prepared juices. Not only will your waistline thank you, but so will your teeth.
Just about any fruit, vegetable, grain or seed can be juiced with the proper equipment. A state-of-the-art, industrial-strength juicer with all the bells and whistles can cost up to $2,000. Though steep for some, this might be a worthwhile investment for those people committed to the juicing lifestyle.
Most of us, though, will simply want to supplement our diets with juicing. For us, "trainer juicers" are available for under $100 online or at many kitchen appliance and department stores. More advanced models run from $100 to $800, so there is a juicer to fit everyone's price range and needs.
Juicers fall into two categories: masticating (also called a triturator, these chew and grind up food to produce the juice) and centrifugal (these extract juices by chopping and then spinning food). Dr. Joseph Mercola, an osteopathic physician and juicing advocate, says a juicer should be quiet, easy to clean and versatile (different speeds and functions should allow it to extract juice from leafy greens as effectively as from solid vegetables). Otherwise, your investment will spend a lonely life in the back of the pantry or out in the garage.
The process of juicing separates the pulp from the juice. Some serious juicing fans discard the pulp. They believe the leftover fiber slows down or inhibits the body's absorption of nutrients from the juice.
However, fiber intake is important in keeping the bowels clean and healthy. "Pulpless" juicing proponents might thus undergo enemas or colonic irrigation, or take fiber pills, to stay regular.
For others, that seems counterproductive. Why throw away the fiber and then add it back in another form, or use physical manipulation to get the job done? This "pulp-yes!" group has no problem adding the fruit and vegetable pulp back into the juice before downing it.
There are a couple of theories on mixing fruits and vegetables in the same juice concoction. Some refrain because they fear the different flavors and acids can upset the stomach. Others will throw everything into the juicer short of the kitchen sink. For most people, it is a matter of trial-and-error and personal taste.
By the same token, some people add algae, such as spirulina or chlorella, or protein supplements to their juice. Check with a doctor or nutritionist before going this route. The algae, which are supposed to help detoxify the body, make some people extremely nauseated. Chlorella, in particular, can throw the body's iron and Vitamin D balance off, because it contains both nutrients. And if you are continuing to eat foods such as meat or dairy while juicing, you probably already are getting enough protein.
However large a role you decide to give juicing in your diet, have fun with it. Be as creative as you like. Check out some of the juicing recipes available online and experiment with different combos. You might find yourself leaning towards a healthier alternative to the 10 a.m. double latte or the 3:30 p.m. cola.
Here's a juice toast to your good health!
Juicing is the mechanical process by which juice is extracted from a solid food, such as a fruit or vegetable. In recent years, juicing has assumed an important role the natural food and alternative health movement.
Juicing has even become a way of life for some people who believe the body absorbs nutrients from liquefied foods more easily. These people eat no solid food whatsoever.
What is the appeal of juicing? For one thing, it is an efficient way to consume the recommended five to six servings of fruit and vegetables each day. A recipe for 8 ounces of a juice drink called the Iron Maiden requires five carrots, six spinach leaves, four lettuce leaves, one-fourth of a turnip and four sprigs of parsley. That is at least two or three servings of vegetables right there.
That is also nutrition you can take in on the run. Think of how much time it would take to sit down and chew those five carrots alone!
Another advantage of juicing: you can enjoy fruit juices free of the added sugars found in commercially-prepared juices. Not only will your waistline thank you, but so will your teeth.
Just about any fruit, vegetable, grain or seed can be juiced with the proper equipment. A state-of-the-art, industrial-strength juicer with all the bells and whistles can cost up to $2,000. Though steep for some, this might be a worthwhile investment for those people committed to the juicing lifestyle.
Most of us, though, will simply want to supplement our diets with juicing. For us, "trainer juicers" are available for under $100 online or at many kitchen appliance and department stores. More advanced models run from $100 to $800, so there is a juicer to fit everyone's price range and needs.
Juicers fall into two categories: masticating (also called a triturator, these chew and grind up food to produce the juice) and centrifugal (these extract juices by chopping and then spinning food). Dr. Joseph Mercola, an osteopathic physician and juicing advocate, says a juicer should be quiet, easy to clean and versatile (different speeds and functions should allow it to extract juice from leafy greens as effectively as from solid vegetables). Otherwise, your investment will spend a lonely life in the back of the pantry or out in the garage.
The process of juicing separates the pulp from the juice. Some serious juicing fans discard the pulp. They believe the leftover fiber slows down or inhibits the body's absorption of nutrients from the juice.
However, fiber intake is important in keeping the bowels clean and healthy. "Pulpless" juicing proponents might thus undergo enemas or colonic irrigation, or take fiber pills, to stay regular.
For others, that seems counterproductive. Why throw away the fiber and then add it back in another form, or use physical manipulation to get the job done? This "pulp-yes!" group has no problem adding the fruit and vegetable pulp back into the juice before downing it.
There are a couple of theories on mixing fruits and vegetables in the same juice concoction. Some refrain because they fear the different flavors and acids can upset the stomach. Others will throw everything into the juicer short of the kitchen sink. For most people, it is a matter of trial-and-error and personal taste.
By the same token, some people add algae, such as spirulina or chlorella, or protein supplements to their juice. Check with a doctor or nutritionist before going this route. The algae, which are supposed to help detoxify the body, make some people extremely nauseated. Chlorella, in particular, can throw the body's iron and Vitamin D balance off, because it contains both nutrients. And if you are continuing to eat foods such as meat or dairy while juicing, you probably already are getting enough protein.
However large a role you decide to give juicing in your diet, have fun with it. Be as creative as you like. Check out some of the juicing recipes available online and experiment with different combos. You might find yourself leaning towards a healthier alternative to the 10 a.m. double latte or the 3:30 p.m. cola.
Here's a juice toast to your good health!
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