Fruits are delicious, refreshing and packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. You can eat them directly, or drink them up in the form of juice.
Fruits can be combined too – whether it is a fruit chaat with some lemon juice or a glass of mixed fruit juice with some rock salt.
But when it comes to choosing between the two – which one should you pick? Read on to find out.
Benefits of eating whole fruit
Eating whole fruit provides your body with lots of fiber, which can help in improving digestion, weight management, and blood sugar control. Eating fresh fruits in their whole form also nourishes your body with plenty of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. Eating fruits in moderate quantities is also linked to a reduced risk of obesity and chronic diseases.
Fruit for weight loss
Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables has been linked to lower body weight. Fruits are low in calories and the fiber content satiates you quickly without consuming too much quantity. Fruits that may aid in weight loss include berries, apples, pears, citrus fruits, and grapes. In general, you should eat a balanced diet rich in whole fruits, plenty of vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains.
Benefits and downside of fruit juice
Fruit juice is made from the liquid of one or more fruits. It can be a convenient way to consume fruit. However, juice lacks the fiber found in whole fruit and may not retain all the nutrients and antioxidants of the whole fruit. It can also be high in sugar and calories, especially if you’re drinking packaged juices.
Should you drink juice for weight loss?
Even though drinking juices is seen as ‘healthy’, there is no formal research that shows juicing helps with weight loss. Fruit juice may not be the ideal choice for weight loss. Drinking juice instead of eating whole fruit can lead to consuming more calories overall. Instead of helping, this can make weight loss more difficult.
The bottomline
Both fruit and fruit juice can be part of a healthy diet. However, whole fruits are considered to be a better choice. If you do choose to drink fruit juice, make sure you opt for fresh juice with no added sugar. It is better to squeeze it at home and retain the fiber content as much as possible. Prefer choosing whole fruits as a snack or in a salad or as a part of a meal in your daily diet.
