By: Natasha Archary
With more juice bars popping up at malls and gyms, juicing culture is gaining momentum in South Africa. Let’s explore the health benefits of smoothies versus juices for some Summer Flava.
Juice and smoothies are beneficial to any health and fitness program but what are the differences in the health benefits one gets from smoothies versus juices?
Smoothies
Smoothies are thicker in consistency than fresh veggie or fruit juices because it is blended until liquified.
This is done in a blender. Most people who work out use smoothies as a meal replacement because they can keep you satiated until your next meal.
Because the ingredients are blended whole, the natural fibres found in each fruit and vegetable are broken down, which helps your body digest these more easily.
Pros
By including the natural fibre in your smoothies, you pack more servings of fruit and veggies into your diet without any of the fuss.
It makes for an easy, filling meal on the go if you have a hectic morning schedule. You can change up your smoothie recipes by adding in natural yoghurt, a pulse or even your favourite protein shake.
Cons
The flip side is that because of the large volume of fibre in each serving, you may consume more calories than your body is able to burn and this could prevent weight loss and actually lead to weight gain.
It’s important to note that smoothies should be considered a meal replacement and should not be taken with meals.
Juices
In contrast, juicing is the process of extracting the liquid and nutrients from fruits and veggies, minus the fibre.
With the absence of fibre, your body doesn’t have to work all that hard to digest and simply absorbs the nutrients hassle-free. This can be an added benefit to those with a sensitive digestive system or who suffer from a condition that inhibits your body from processing fibre.
Freshly squeezed juices form part of most detoxification programs because they are so nutrient-dense that they aid restoration and purification on a cellular level. It’s like a nutrient express train.
Pros
Whether you love veggies or absolutely cannot stomach the thought of eating a green leafy serving of goodness, juicing offers you an instant way to fill your nutrient gap. Because juices are so concentrated, you only need a small portion to provide a powerful vitamin and mineral punch.
Cons
Because juicing consists essentially of just liquid nutrients, it’s not as filling so it shouldn’t be your meal replacement. What’s more, when juices are made with fruit and high-sugar veggies (carrots and beets), you may experience a blood sugar spike, particularly if you don’t consume food at the same time.
Whatever your preference, explore healthier drink options to quench your thirst or add more Summer Flavour.
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