Health gurus claim turning whole fruit and vegetables into a liquid gives a ‘vitamin boost’ and is a good way to get fruit and vegetables into the diet. However, some scientists argue juices (and smoothies) may not be as healthy as they appear, and it is better to eat whole fruit and vegetables.
Let’s weigh up the pros and cons of turning whole fruit and vegetables into liquid and the effect on your diet.
Juices verses smoothies - what is the difference?
Put simply a juice is water and some of the nutrients extracted from a fruit or vegetable.
Smoothies are pulverised whole fruits and vegetables.
What are the pros and cons of juices?
Pros
Cons
What about smoothies?
When fruit and vegetables are pulverised to form a smoothie its food matrix is broken down making sugars and nutrients more readily available to the body in a similar way to juices. The big difference is smoothies retain dietary fibre whereas juices do not.
Can juices and smoothies play a role in a healthy diet?
Juices and smoothies can play a role in a healthy diet but due to their free sugar and calorie content, should be limited to 150ml per day.
The myth of ‘vitamin boosting’
There is no advantage to taking in more vitamins and minerals than your body needs. Some micronutrients are toxic in large doses. The juice from one orange provides your daily intake of vitamin C, anymore and you will just pee it out. If you are already getting a healthy, diverse diet, you’re unlikely to be deficient in most vitamins.
Is it better to eat whole fruit and vegetables or drink Juices & smoothies?
Whole fruit and vegetables do not need to be strictly limited because their naturally occurring sugar takes longer to digest and be absorbed. Juices and smoothies need to be restricted.
What is the best way to prepare juices?
What is the best way to prepare smoothies?
Think of a smoothie as a small meal or snack rather than a thirst-quenching drink.
Buying juices and smoothies off the shelf
Check nutrition labels and choose smoothies and juices with no added sugar.