Ever had someone talk your ear off insisting that juicing is the superior way to consume your fruits and vegetables? We have.
But in the war of juicers vs blenders, it’s all about personal preference and dietary needs.
So, to help you get a better handle on the upsides and downsides of each we’re going to get into the basics of how both appliances work, a bit about nutrition and digestion, as well as some everyday use differences. Which is better for you, juicer or blender? Read on and find out!
Difference between a Juicer and a Blender
Both countertop appliances come in a range of types and prices. But let’s not get too bogged down in the specifics and look at the basic function of the two appliances to get an idea of the concrete differences
Juicers
Juicers work in a few different ways, like cold press or centrifugal force. But the basic form is that whole fruits and vegetables are macerated, and have their juices separated from skin, flesh, and fiber.
The product is all liquid, with the majority of the plant’s fiber left in the juicer to be repurposed or disposed of.
Blenders
Blenders, on the other hand, use powerful motors to spin a set of blades at high speeds to turn plants into a homogenous smoothie.
This method purees whole fruits and vegetables into a smooth & drinkable beverage. All the fiber, skin, flesh, and juice of the plants are liquefied together and not separated out.
Health & Nutrition: Juicing vs Blending
A lot of folks want to know which method of fruit & vegetable consumption is the healthiest. The short answer is: that depends on what kind of nutrients you need, and what your health goals are!
Fiber
Dietary fiber is a necessary part of everyone’s diet, and can confer many health benefits. Just a few of which include prevention of constipation & diarrhea, control of blood sugar and cholesterol, and regulation of bowel movements.
Juicers removes essentially all the fiber from the fruits & veggies you juice. Blenders retain it and pulverize it to an easily drinkable, liquid form.
But how much fiber, insoluble and soluble, you need it entirely personal. If you get enough through other meals, perhaps juicing will be a great way to give you a sugar and nutrient boost without making your digestive system work to break down a hearty smoothie.
Digestibility
Physically speaking, smoothies take longer to be broken down and digested by the body. They leave you feeling full longer and can provide a slow burn of energy similar to a meal.
The lack of fiber in juice means that your GI tract can pass it through much quicker. You are likely to get a quicker burst of energy from a fresh juice drink.
Some experts contend that because juices are faster for your stomach to digest, that you are absorbing the nutrients faster and better.
Unfortunately, there is little scientific evidence to back up the assertion that faster absorption also means that you actually retain more of those nutrients. It’s correlated, but not a strict cause & effect.
Vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients
Most of a plant’s vitamin & mineral content is found in its juice. Juicing retains many of those, as well as phytonutrients with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
However, there are also some vitamins & minerals contained in the skin and flesh of a plant too. When you separate out all the fiber via juicing you are removing at least a small amount of these.
Blending has the benefit of retaining all the vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients of the plant.
Juicers vs Blenders, Are Juicers Better Than Blenders?
Is a juicer or blender healthier?
Though it is often asked, the answer to this question is purely situational.
Truthfully, it is incorrect to assume that juicing is strictly healthier than blending. But what you can get out of each is a little different, and one may fit your health needs better than the other.
If you already get a good amount of fiber and calories in your daily meals but want to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet, perhaps juicing is an excellent option for you.
Or, maybe you want to add more fruits & veggies in a convenient way that’s closer to a full meal. With blending you can add protein, fats, and more while also reaping the full benefit of the fiber and nutrients of those plants.
Cleaning up
Juicer:
- Cleaning can be laborious
- Few are dishwasher safe
Blender:
- Some have self-cleaning functions
- Many parts of dishwasher safe
Sustainability and waste
Juicer:
- Does not use flesh, skin, seeds, etc.
- Pulp is a messy, soggy byproduct
- Most end up throwing the leftovers away
- Pulp can be used for a variety of recipes though
Blender:
- Blends flesh, skin, and juice together
- Only leftover is undesirable parts, like stems and seeds
Are there any juicer blender combo appliances?
Unfortunately, due to the fundamental differences in operation there are not any all-in-one juicer and blender combinations.
But you can find some juicer blender models that use the same motor to power two separate bases, one that’s a juicer and one that’s a blender.
Tips for healthier juicing and blending
Juicing:
- Drink your juice immediately after juicing
- Use a straw to prevent staining your teeth
- Clean your juicer soon after using, every time
- Use a cold press juicer, because excess heat can break down some nutrients
Blending:
- Drink soon after blending
- If saving, refrigerate in an airtight container
- To add protein consider nuts, milks, yogurts, or protein powders
- Avoid fruit juices with added sugar for the liquid base, try water or milk and milk alternatives
- Wait at least 20 minutes before eating more to give your body time to register satiation
For more tips, check out the Mayo Clinic’s article on how to make healthier smoothies.
Conclusion
The takeaway here is that blenders and juicers do very different things, namely with fiber.
Neither is strictly better, but blenders do technically preserve more nutrients from fruits & vegetables due to the fac that they do not separate out the fiber.
So, which do you prefer for your lifestyle? Juicing or blending? Let us know or shoot us some questions in the comments below!
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Hi, I am Charms, a self-confessed smoothie fanatic! Here I will share some of my favorite smoothie recipes, tips and guides and gear reviews. Learn more .
