Fresh Homemade Fruit Juices vs. Commercial Fruit Juices
Fresh Homemade Fruit Juices vs. Commercial Fruit Juices
What is all the fuss about Fresh Homemade Fruit Juice and Commercial Fruits Juices? Fresh Homemade Fruit Juices do not need any introduction because the word “fresh homemade” explains it all. Fancy nutrition label on Commercial Fruit Juices are there for two reasons. The first reason is for informational purpose and second for promoting and increase buying impulse.
You have probably seen several lists about the differences from Fresh Homemade Fruit Juices and Commercial Fruits Juices, but let’s reiterate the benefits and the urgency of learning about how the bottled and carton juices are manufactured.
Although many materials (plastic, carton etc…) are labeled to be biodegradable, believe it or not, there is always a very small amount of chemical that goes into the manufactured juice. What happens during transportation from the manufacturers to the supermarkets? Are the bottled and carton juices being transported safely and are they stored at the right temperature during transport? All these questions require lengthy analyst and research by the right individuals.
There is no argument that fresh homemade juice is better and is tastier than commercial fruit juices. If you are looking for ways to improve your diet with healthy and natural ingredient and fresh foods, a freshly homemade juice is the solution. The number one reason, beside taste, why you should limit your consumption of commercial fruit juices is Fructose.
Fructose is metabolized by the liver and cannot be used for energy by your body’s cells. It is a toxin that overworks the liver and increases uric acid production, which can cause gout, kidney stones and precipitate or aggravate hypertension. The more fructose you intake, the harder your liver has to work to get rid of it. The only way the liver gets rid of fructose is by transforming it into fat and sending it to the fat cells, hence a good reason not to introduce more fat into your body. Also, remember that anything in excess may not be good for the body.
According to Alissa Hamilton J.D, PhD, a Food and Society Policy Fellow with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP)
“The technology of choice at the moment is aseptic storage, which involves stripping the juice of oxygen, a process known as ‘deaeration,’ so it doesn’t oxidize in the million gallon tanks in which it can be kept for upwards of a year.
When the juice is stripped of oxygen it is also stripped of flavor-providing chemicals. Juice companies therefore hire flavor and fragrance companies, the same ones that formulate perfumes for Dior and Calvin Klein, to engineer flavor packs to add back to the juice to make it taste fresh.”
Juice manufacturers have patented recipes that usually include added flavors that may be natural and unnatural. Here are 7 reasons from http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/ why homemade juice is better than that store-bought stuff:
More Fibre? Whole fruits are great to eat because they have insoluble fibre that helps with digestion. Author and natural medicine expert Dr. Michael T. Murray says as a complement to eating fresh fruits and vegetables, we should also consider drinking fresh juices to get our recommended seven to 10 fruits and veggies a day. Fresh juices are also packed with soluble fibre — a type of fibre that’s been shown to lower cholesterol.
Juice Helps With Digestion: If you’re having digestion problems, drinking fresh juice may help. Murray says since juice is easier for our bodies to digest than whole fruits, we’re more likely to get the nutrients we need to help us poop.
Your Body Saves Energy: There’s a reason why your body feels good when you eat healthy foods — and why you feel so tired after eating junk. According to Murray, our bodies use energy to convert the foods we eat into liquids to be absorbed. When you drink juice, your body is essentially skipping this step and saving energy.
More Nutritious Than That Store-Bought Stuff : Fresh juice contains more vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional compounds like enzymes and flavonoids than the canned or bottled options you find in grocery stores. Store-bought juices also often have added sugar — an ingredient the World Health Organizations says we should be reducing.
More Antioxidants For Your Body: Homemade juices contain increased antioxidant, antiviral, and anticancer properties, Murray says. One study comparing commercial apple juice with freshly squeezed apple juice found fresh, raw juice had more antiviral compounds than the store-bought versions. Another study found that fresh, raw apple juice and berry juice (especially those made with raspberries and blackberries) had more ellagic acid — an anticancer and antioxidant compound that’s stripped from juice when it’s processed.
Can It Help You Detox? Murray says fresh fruits contain glutathione, a small protein composed of three amino acids, which aid our bodies in the detoxification of things like lead and pesticides. Most processed fruit juices, however, do not contain this protein.
It Can Help With Weight Loss
Studies have found diets containing a high percentage (up to 60 per cent of calories) of uncooked foods are associated with weight loss and lowered blood pressure in overweight individuals. Murray suggests making a juice with two whole apples and 1/2 cup each of raspberries and blackberries to help with weight.
On your next visit to the supermarket, try avoiding the juice aisle. Instead buy fruits and make your own homemade juices. Stay healthy and stay fit!
References:
Juicing Benefits: 7 Reasons Why Fresh Juice Is The Healthier Option: The Huffington Post Canada
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/03/21/juicing-benefits_n_5007719.html
