The Pros and Cons of Juicing

If you’ve been on social media lately, chances are you’ve heard someone talk about going on a juice fast or juice cleanse, and how amazing it made them feel. But is that the whole truth? And are juice fasts sustainable in the long run? Also, why would someone want to drink a green juice rather than a green smoothie?

If you’re a little confused about all the information flying around out there about juicing, we understand! So, we’re breaking down the pros and cons of juicing so you can make an educated choice the next time you get a hankering for a lot more veggies in your diet!

Juicing: The Good and the Bad

To make a green juice, you’ll need a bunch of fresh fruits and veggies and a juicer (which typically run between $50 and $500 dollars). Juicers remove the pulp of produce and then squeeze the excess liquid from the pulp, which is what you eventually drink when you’re drinking a green juice.

The benefits of drinking green juice are legit: you’re able to get a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in one drink, and increase the amount of fruits and vegetables you consume in a day (most American’s don’t get enough!).

But — and here’s the big but — the main thing that juicing leaves out is the fiber. If you were to juice an apple, a carrot, and some kale, you would be consuming significantly less natural fiber than if you blended them, since the fiber hangs out in the pulp. There’s also a lot of antioxidants and vitamins in the skins of fruits and vegetables, which you wouldn’t get through juicing. Thirdly, because there’s much less fiber or protein in green juices, but still a lot of sugar, drinking too much can result in blood sugar spikes.

So what’s the bottom line? Drinking the occasional green juice here and there for a small bump of vitamins and minerals is most likely fine, but don’t feel pressure to “detox” with it, as there is no scientific evidence that backs up the validity of juice detoxes. (Also, our bodies detox just fine on their own!) And if you’re looking for a healthy drink that includes fiber, your best bet is a blended green smoothie.

Don’t have time to whip up a smoothie but still want some additional fiber in your life? Try Benefiber Chewables. Chew three Benefiber Chewables up to three times a day for a dose of plant-based prebiotic fiber ingredient that tastes great.