Many people who enjoy healthy eating, have taken an interest in juicing (fruit). This process of blending selected fruits into a delicious and healthful beverage is an excellent way to satisfy one’s daily recommended intake of fresh produce. It not only supplies the body with a powerful punch of nutrients, but is also convenient in that it can be bottled up and taken anywhere one goes.
Besides being very palatable, fruits are a great source of potent phytochemicals, enzymes, anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Research has shown that people who regularly eat plenty of fruit have improved immunity and greater resistance to viruses, degenerative disorders, auto-immune diseases, and even some types of cancer. These vital nutrients help keep the body looking and feeling its best.
A juice extractor is a machine designed to finely mince fruits and also vegetables in such a way that the juice is separated from the pulp. They come in two basic types; masticating and centrifugal. The former are fast and simple to use, while the latter provide a more thorough food processing action and yield a more richly flavored juice.
Preparing fruits in this manner has several healthy advantages to the body. For one, it allows for faster absorption of nutrients since it is essentially converting the produce into a form that is more readily used by the body’s cells. Unlike with solid food, there is no need to digest large pieces in order to extract nutrients.
Juicing also dessicates the tough fibers in which the majority of nutrients are contained. Since these are not digestible, the body cannot normally fully access the substances within them, therefore only a small portion of the total nutritional value of the fruit is received. When juiced, all of these nutrients are released to be used by the body for important actions such as cleansing the blood.
Produce that has been grown organically and not processed or combined with additives is by far the best for making juice. Pre-processing not only depletes vitamins, enzymes, and minerals, but it also adds potentially harmful chemicals. Raw fruit should be used; all that is needed to prepare it for the juicer is washing it thoroughly and cutting it into 1-inch cubes.
When loading these chunks into the chute of the juicer, it is best to do so loosely as this will yield a higher volume of juice. Once the juicer is turned on, the press should be slowly and evenly applied to force the pieces into the juicing blades. The drink will be dispensed from one end of the machine, while the solid pulp waste will collect elsewhere. Ideally the juice should be drank immediately, but if not it must be stored in a container with a tight lid and refrigerated.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of juicing (fruit) is the diversity of choices and never-ending number of tasty combinations that are possible. It is a good idea to begin with making one 8 ounce glass each day, which is better digested and processed by the body in the morning. Natural fruit juices are rather high in fructose and should not be consumed excessively by those who are diabetic or trying to control their weight. By using them as occasional dietary supplements they are a great way to meet nutritional requirements and boost one’s immunity, and a much healthier option than bottled juices.