Fruits and vegetables are essential for the proper functioning of our body, this is why they must not miss from our daily diet. However, most of us have busy schedules and we often don’t have the time to grab an apple or to enjoy a well-deserved salad – in this case, a freshly squeezed fruit and veggie juice will certainly come in handy. The juicing health benefits are many, and this is not a secret to anybody. A large glass of juice contains vitamins, phytonutrients, and minerals that strengthen the immune system and give you an energy boost throughout the entire day. Here you will find a closer look at the health benefits of juicing:
Juice Vs. Smoothie – What Is The Difference?
Even though both juices and smoothies promote health and provide your body with the necessary nutrients, there is a slight difference between these two. Basically, the juice is the liquid that results from vegetables, fruits and/or herbs, but with a low content of fiber – generally speaking, fibers are found in the peel of the vegetable or fruit, which is removed during the squeezing process. This makes it easier for the body to absorb the nutrients, given the fact that there is literally no digestive work.
On the other hand, the smoothie is thicker and it contains both the juice and the peel of the fruit or veggie, meaning that the fiber content is intact. The fibers are broken down but they are not removed from the juice, therefore your body must do some digestive work to process the smoothie. Smoothies are also richer in terms of content, as they can contain nuts, seeds, supplements, spices, and even certain foods. Having said that, here is a brief overview of the most notable juicing health benefits:
1. Your Body Gets All The Necessary Nutrients
Minerals and vitamins are the building blocks of the human body, but unfortunately, they do not stay in the body forever – this is why we must consume fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. Doctors recommend approximately 6 servings of fruits and veggies per day, but sticking to this amount can be difficult especially if you are on a tight schedule at work. Juicing is a fast, easy, efficient and delicious way to reach your daily veggie and fruit target!
Food processing destroys micronutrients by altering their chemical structure, and that means that you only get to enjoy 10%-20% of the total amount of nutrients found in fruits and veggies. Fortunately, this is not the case with juicing where the main ingredients remain intact. Some fibers found in the peel may be lost during the juicing process, but most of them still remain.
Fruits are also rich in metabolic regulators and antioxidants, the latter being essential for fighting off free radicals that trigger premature aging. Juicing promotes a healthy and beautiful body, both on the outside and on the inside.
2. Improved Immune System
The above-mentioned nutrients play a pivotal role when it comes to your immune system. In a nutshell, the immune system is your body’s natural defense mechanism against diseases and illnesses – the stronger it is, the healthier you will be.
By boosting the immune system, juicing helps you deal with a cough and flu in a more effective manner, and studies have revealed that your risk of cancer is dramatically reduced as well. If you consume the juice from red fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, your risk for lung cancer is decreased by 25%. In other words, juicing is an efficient way to treat and to prevent diseases in the long haul.
3. A Healthier Heart
The heart is the second most important organ in the human body, after the brain – this is why it is essential to keep it healthy. Consuming one fruit per day will lower your risk for heart disease by a fifth, so imagine how beneficial a glass of fresh juice will be both for your heart and for your overall body. Juicing promotes an overall feeling of well-being, as it boosts your energy levels and will help you complete your daily tasks in a faster and more efficient manner.
4. Juicing Supports Body Cleansing
Last, but not least, veggies and fruits contain high amounts of water. Water is essential for your body, as it keeps it properly hydrated and it also allows it to eliminate waste faster and more efficiently. Over the years, toxins and dangerous waste can build up in the guts – if your body does not flush out the waste on a regular basis, it can trigger a series of dangerous illnesses.
The Bottom Line
To sum it up, if you have decided to start your day with a glass of fresh juice or with a smoothie, it is highly recommended to opt for pesticide-free vegetables and fruits. No matter how much you rinse them beforehand, some traces of pesticide can penetrate the fruit and enter your body, causing various illnesses.