You might think that blending and juicing are one in the same, but they are not. It is time that you learned what they both entail and how they are slightly different. When you juice the fiber is removed from the liquid part that you consume. Many people worry about this because they assume that they need fiber. Fiber is essential for your digestive system and is critical for just about any diet. It is important to understand what fiber really is.
Fiber can be broken down into two different types. These types are classified as fiber that is soluble and fiber that is insoluble. Soluble fiber will dissolve in water, but insoluble fiber will not. No matter which type of fiber you are talking about, neither one can be digested. This is the type of fiber that can be found in fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. It is important to not that both types of fiber are a type of laxative when consumed. They have the ability to make your stool softer or more bulkier. This allows your stool to find its way through your colon in an easier manner.
Insoluble Fiber
The reason that insoluble fiber can be beneficial is traced to its ability to increase water absorption. This will keep you from feeling constipated. It is also essential to helping get rid of the many toxins that add up in the colon.
Soluble Fiber
Soluble fiber is different from insoluble fiber in the way that it creates a gel. This gel that is formed acts as a probiotic and gives the good bacteria within your gut exactly what it needs. The digestion and health of your GI tract can be improved immensely with the help of soluble fiber. It has the ability to regulate blood sugar levels within the body, lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure and so much more. Soluble fiber really can be beneficial for the body in a number of different ways.
Juicing Contains Soluble Fiber
Now that you know how important soluble fiber can be for the body, you might be a bit hesitant to juice. You probably feel that you need to incorporate soluble fiber into your diet. The good news is that juicing actually does contain high amounts of soluble fiber. There are parts of plants that can still be found within juice that contain fiber. These parts of plants are defined as pectins, gums and mucilages. This means that you can still get fiber when juicing and the only type of fiber that is removed can be defined as the insoluble type of fiber.
What About Blending?
Now that you know all about the benefits of juicing, you might wonder if blending is really necessary. Blending is actually just as healthy as juicing and can be a really great way to feed your body. Blending and juicing might both be very healthy, but they are also very different methods for getting the nutrients from fruits and vegetables. When you are blending, you don’t have to purchase expensive equipment to get the job done. All you need is a standard blender that allows you to blend everything together. This means that you are not separating the fiber from the liquid of the produce that you want to consume. This means that the nutrients you consume in a blended smoothie are not as concentrated as when you drink juice.
The reason that blending is not as much of a nutrient powerhouse as juicing is because you are sucking up air. High amounts of air are pulled in during the blending process and this results in blended smoothies having less nutrients than juices.
