Showing posts with label juice quality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label juice quality. Show all posts

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Importance of Juice Quality

The quality of raw juice is at the optimum level right after the juice has been produced by your juicer.

However, due to our busy schedules, sometimes we would like to make some extra juice and store it in a container of some kind to drink later.

Unfortunately, the quality of the juice suffers and the juice loses its nutrient value over a period of 2-3 days.

The two main factors that effect juice quality are: Heat and Oxidation.
Heat can affect the juice mainly by causing enzyme deactivation.  Enzyme deactivation only occurs when temperatures exceed 118 degrees Fahrenheit.  In addition to the heat, there is a time component associated with enzyme deactivation.  For example you could probably heat juice to 130 degrees for 1 nano-second with no enzyme deactivation.  Passing your finger over a flame is a similar example. (this is not advised). 
 
Oxidation occurs when you break open cell walls of the produce and expose it to oxygen.  Oxidation occurs when you cut open an apple and it turns brown. In general, oxidation does affect the quality of the juice. Many of the nutrients in the juice are not affected by oxidation, but some are.  Oxidation is a natural process.   Its best  to minimize oxidation.  One way to minimize oxidation is to CONSUME THE JUICE RIGHT AFTER IT IS MADE.

Heating the juice (below 118°F) is not as serious a problem as the oxidation. All juicers heat the juice somewhat, including the Single Auger Juicer/Twin Gear Juicer.
However, oxidation dramatically reduces the quality of your juice. Oxidation occurs with all juicers.  Some juicers create less oxidation in the process of juicing, i.e. masticating vs. centrifugal.   Oxidation increases the longer the juice is sitting around.  So to MINIMIZE oxidation, its more important to DRINK THE JUICE RIGHT AFTER ITS MADE than to worry about, "oh, my centrifugal juicer produces more initial oxidation".  If you cut open an apple, oxidation is created (it turns brown). You never see the browning occur if you eat the apple as soon as you cut it!

We believe manufacturers talk about oxidation and heat to influence your purchase decision.  Heat should not be a factor, since all juicers will raise the temperature of the produce being juiced.  Oxidation plays a role in the quality of juice, this is true.

We would recommend taking the  oxidation factors "lightly".  One could purchase the best juicer that produces the least oxidation, only to have it sit on the counter, and it never being used, since they didn't consider that its one of the hardest juicers to clean.  We have found that if a juicer is hard to clean, it will not get used -- then, what is the advantage of having "the best" juicer, if its never used? 

Tip: Although we don't recommend storing the juice, if you store the juice properly, i.e. filled them up to the brim to prevent air that causes oxidation, in an air-tight thermos/vacuum flask, and stored away in the refrigerator, the juice quality can last from 1 to 3 days as follows:
  • Using a centrifugal juicer - juice gets oxidized almost as soon as you're done juicing, so drink juice immediately.
  • Using a single-gear juicer - possible to keep up to 24 hours from time of extraction.
  • Using a twin-gear juicer - possible to keep up to 48 hours from time of extraction.
  • Using a hydraulic press juicer - possible to keep up to 72 hours.
Here are some other tips if you want to increase the quality of the juice from your juicer:
  • Start off with the coldest possible produce - leave the produce in the refrigerator before juicing. Set your refrigerator a little colder.
  • Do not overload the juicer!  Feed in only a little produce at a time. Let it work itself out of the juicer before adding more.  Overloading will cause the juicer to work harder, causing excess friction and generating heat.
  • While juicing, occasionally juice an ice cube, which will help to reduce the temperature of the blade/auger and the juice. It will also dilute the juice.
  • Be sure to inspect the cutting blade (on centrifugal juicers) or cutter (on the Champion juicer).  Replace if they are dull.  Dull blades do not cut as well, and thus will cause excess friction, which generates heat.
  • Juice in small batches, rather than "juice marathons".  The longer the juicer runs, the warmer things get.
  • Start off by juicing the highest quality produce available.  In some studies, organic crops have been shown to be higher in some vitamins, essential minerals and phytonutrients.  
  • If your juicing with a CHAMPION Juicer, chop produce into smaller pieces. Produce with strings will get stuck around the cutting blade and cause more friction and heat (especially Celery and leafy greens with long stems)
  • JUICE CONSISTENTLY and DRINK YOUR JUICE AS SOON AS YOU MAKE IT (DO NOT STORE IT) FOR HIGHEST QUALITY. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR.
FYI: A Green Star juice extractor as well as most other twin gear juicers make juice with the least amount of oxidation to them. The Norwalk press also does but it is a lot more expensive. It's physically big and involves more of a commitment due to the different stages of cutting, pressing and then cleaning in order to get a glass of juice. If you are really concerned about these issues consider getting a Green Star at a quarter of the price of a Norwalk juicer. You'll be very happy because they are great machines. If you want to spend a little less, go with an Omega 8003 juicer. This juicer delivers higher quality juice, is easy to clean, comes with a 10 year warranty, and it will change your life.

Smoothies

A smoothie is a healthy version of a milkshake and is a nice alternative for people who either don't like to juice or get tired of juicing and cleaning the juicer everyday. A green smoothie is an even healthier version of a regular smoothie. These green smoothies are scrumptious and easy to make with your blender. Smoothie recipes are included in the juicing book.

Although it seems simple (just throw some stuff into a blender and press Start), most people don't know how to make a  healthy, well--balanced smoothie that will fight their diabetes and optimize their health.

You don't need to use syrup and lots of fruit to make a smoothie taste good. If you use ripe fruits, tons of sugar shouldn’t be needed. Also, always ensure that you use a high-powered blender and also ensure that your smoothie contains the following five (5) components: a base, a liquid,  some fruit, a nutritive additive, and a flavoring additive.

Examples of a base, a liquid,  some fruit, a nutritive additive, and a flavoring additive (in that order) are a banana, some almond milk,  some fruit, some spinach, and some cinnamon, respectively.

For more details about smoothies and  how to make them, plus lots of recipes get the Power of Juicing & Smoothies ebook.

Start drinking smoothies to reverse & cure your diabetes.