This is a question that we get asked all the time. Which is better: juicing or blending? Does one offer more health benefits than the other? Juices and smoothies both play an important role in any wellness program and we discuss the benefits of each in both of our films, Food Matters and Hungry For Change. We believe that both juicing and blending are very beneficial, but in different ways.
Blending
Blending simply combines all the ingredients you place in your blender, leaving the pulp and fiber intact. Fiber is a healthy addition to your diet and can reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes, according to MayoClinic.com. Another benefit of blending over juicing, notes Disease.com, is that there is a slower rate of sugar absorption. Blending is like eating the whole fruit or veggies plus the enzymes, co-enzymes, co-factors and some essential nutrients that can be found in the pulp and the fibers of both vegetables and fruits. Making frozen drinks is easy with a blender as you can simply add frozen vegetables or ice to your smoothie. The ease of clean up compared to juicing is a plus to many who choose to blend rather than juice.
Juicing
Juicing is the act of extracting the pulp of vegetables or fruits, leaving the juice in a liquid, non-bulky state. Proponents of juicing cite absorbing nutrients more effectively as a benefit because your body is not expending energy digesting fiber. Other claims are that juicing helps with removal of toxins from your body and with losing weight, if done in a specific manner. The purity and high nutritional content of the juice that is extracted is valued among juicers.
Conclusions
According to MayoClinic.com, there is no sound scientific evidence that extracted juices are better for you than eating the fruit or vegetable itself. Juicing can be used as a tool to get more fruits and vegetables in your diet, though, so to that end it is beneficial if you don't normally eat whole veggies. One of the benefits of both vegetable juicing and vegetable blending is that you can mix in vegetables that you would not ordinarily eat alone. If you don't like carrots, try them in a smoothie or juice them with other vegetables that you do like. Whether you choose to blend or juice your vegetables, you are nourishing your body with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that have both short term and long term health benefits.