Freshly squeezed juice is a healthy and refreshing beverage that serves many health benefits.
While orange and guava make for a delicious and nutritional glass of fruit juice, some vegetables can also double as juiced up nutritional drinks.
Beetroot and carrot, for example, are popular choices to consume as liquids. However, while some fruits and vegetables are safe to consume as juices, others are not.
These produce must not be put in the blender as they might have some hazardous effects on our health.
So let’s take a look at some fruits and vegetables that are better off not seeing the interiors of your juicer.
1. Pineapple
Pineapple is a fruit that packs a sweet punch and a tropical taste, and is loaded with vitamins and minerals. While eating the fruit is beneficial for the body, making a juice out of it is not as good. Juicing strips most of the nutrition away from the fruit, leaving you with a whole lot of sugar that can cause your blood sugar and insulin levels to rise.
2. Pear
Pears make for delicious juice. But pear juice might not be a good idea for everyone, especially for those who are sensitive to fructose. Pears contain sorbitol, a non-digestible form of sugar that can cause digestive problems like gas, quick bowel movements, and abdominal pain.
3. Green leafy vegetables
Spinach and kale are nutrient dense vegetables and can make for a healthy drink, except for the fact that they contain a high amount of oxalates. Oxalates are antinutrients that when consumed in higher concentrations can have severe effects on health, such as making you prone to kidney stones.
4. Citrus peels
Many people make juice out of citrus foods by adding the rind (outer skin) to the juicer. This is not a good idea, as not only does the rind not contain any juice at all, but it also contains compounds that can irritate the digestive system.
5. Broccoli
Yes, believe it or not, broccoli is a popular choice to concoct a detox juice. It is a low-calorie nutrient dense food that is high in micronutrients like vitamins C and K1, and potassium and manganese. However, broccoli is difficult to digest, and might cause a host of digestive problems like bloating, cramps, or gas.
6. Apple
Okay, this might come as a bit of a shock since we all drink apple juice. Don’t be alarmed though, as it is safe to consume the apples, but not wholly. The seeds must always be removed before juicing an apple. They contain amygdalin, a chemical compound which can become poisonous when metabolized by the digestive system.
