Fruits and vegetables are picked when they are ripe.
Part of "ripeness" is when it is at peak level of nutrient density.
After harvest, the nutrient density declines as the food begins to rot.
Rotting for fruits and vegetables is the breakdown compounds and nutrients.
Low for human consumption, still nutritious for other plants(compost).
Three things destroy fruits and veggies.
- Heat
- Light
- Oxygen(Slice an apple or a potato and it quickly begins to breakdown.)
With real "juicing", depending on what type of juicer you get, you have about 15 minutes(high speed juicer) to
2 days (slow masticating juicer) before the juice gets oxidized and the vitamins have all dissipated.
You can easily notice the change in the 'taste' of 'real' juice. It becomes tart and sour.
High speed juicer introduce heat. After the juice is separated its being exposed to oxygen.
The more space left in the container, the more the oxidation levels increase.
Grocery store juice is glorified sugar water because the nutrients dont survive pasteurization(heat).
The life of the "taste" is extended with preservatives or extra sugar added to trick the brain into
thinking that the juice isnt rancid. The sugar levels start to rival those of soda that contains
high fructose corn syrup. "Organic" juices start to oxidize immediately after opening if it hasnt
already started immediately after bottling. The space left in the container after taking a glass is more than
enough to oxidize the bottle in minutes. So youre drinking sugar water with every additional glass you drink
Regardless of the source, both homemade or store bought juice will wreak havok on your teeth by lowering
the ph level in our mouth which promotes cavity.
High Fructose Corn Syrup is highly concentrated sugar. Juicing is compacting the juice from
20 oranges into a 1 liter container that youre probably going to drink in one serving. You wouldnt
come close to eating that many oranges, so why would anyone need that much concentrated juice?
The body does have its limits as to how much nutrients it can take in.
Real juicing for health is more like 80-90% green juice with 10-20% fruit for a little flavor.
Commercial juicing and smoothie chains pump up the sugar by adding excessive super sweet fruits
like apples and bananas or citrus fruits like pineapple and mango to keep you hooked. Easiest test is too
let someone who drinks soda regularly try it. If theyre cool with it because it has a sweet taste,
then youre probably using too much fruit.
There can be other negative effects to consuming juice. Even if it is green juice.
Juicing can be part of a healthy diet but dont use juicing as a substitute for meals.
