Juicing is one of the most popular ways to lose weight and eliminate toxins. From celebrities to health gurus, everyone is doing it. Some drink fresh juices to shed pounds, others want to prevent diseases and enjoy better health. Many nutritionists claim that juicing may improve mental clarity, regulate blood sugar, and boost digestion. However, these claims are not supported by science.
Pros and Cons of Juicing
Most people don’t have time to cut up or cook five servings of fruit and vegetables a day. Some hate veggies altogether. Juicing provides all the same nutrients as eating whole fruits and veggies, but it’s less time consuming and more convenient. On top of that, the water content increases hydration.
Just like everything else, juicing has its drawbacks. First of all, you don’t get the fiber that’s in whole foods. Squeezing the fruit eliminates fiber, which plays a key role in digestion. Because of the lack of fiber, fructose – the sugar in fruit – goes directly into your bloodstream. This may cause insulin spikes followed by crashes.
According to the FDA, juicing may also lead to foodborne illness like hepatitis and E. coli. Washing the fruits and veggies and drinking the juice right away can minimize the risk, but doesn’t eliminate it completely.
Another problem is that most people end up drinking too much juice and forget about calories. For instance, it takes four medium oranges to make an eight-ounce glass of orange juice. Would you eat four oranges in one sitting? Probably not. Drinking the juice takes less than five minutes. That’s 37 grams of sugar you’re rolling in.
To Juice or Not To Juice?
Drinking fresh fruit juice occasionally is a quick way to boost your energy and get more vitamins into your diet. However, fresh juices can not replace whole fruits and vegetables. Also, it’s not a good way to diet or detox. Now that you know the pros and cons of juicing, think twice before starting a juice cleanse.
