Selective: Juicing Health Benefits

Misbar has discovered that when people refer to juicing, they are usually referring to drinking the juice that is extracted from fresh fruits or vegetables. Some believe that juicing is better than eating whole fruits and vegetables because your body can absorb the nutrients better and it gives your digestive system a rest from digesting fiber. However, according to the MayoClinic.org, juicing is no healthier than eating whole fruits and vegetables. There is no scientific evidence that extracted juices are healthier than the juice you get by eating the fruit or vegetable itself.

There are two issues that can actually make juicing less healthy than eating the fruits and vegetables whole: one has to do with sugar and other with fiber. When it comes to sugar, you may consume too much too quickly with juicing. The problem is that when you drink only the juice, you are excluding the fruit’s fiber. According to BBC.com, with the fiber removed, fruit juice’s fructose is absorbed more quickly. Sudden spikes in blood sugar can then cause the pancreas to release insulin to bring it back down to a stable level. 

The other issue which makes juicing not as healthy as eating the fruit has to do with fiber. About nine in 10 Americans do not eat enough fruits and vegetables according to the Centers for Disease Control. The lack of fiber in the diet is a big issue related to fruits and vegetables because fiber consumption is not only related to weight loss but also to cancer prevention. 

One advantage, however, of juicing is if you have a hard time for whatever reason consuming whole fruits and vegetables. In this case: “If you’re not big into fruits and vegetables, it’s a good way to get them in," says nutritionist Jennifer Barr, RD, of Wilmington, DE.