Juice has become a popular drink among people who want to stay healthy. It is also a great way to get nutrients into your body without having to eat a lot of food. However, there are different types of juices out there, and choosing the right one can be tricky.
One of the biggest questions that people ask themselves is whether to buy juice at the store or make it at home. The answer depends on a number of factors including price, taste, convenience, and nutrition.
In this article, I am going to compare the pros and cons of buying juice at the store versus making it yourself.
Fresh Squeezed Vs Store Bought Juice
Let’s first discuss why you should drink freshly made juices instead of the ones that are available in stores.
Healthier Ingredients
When it comes to choosing between store bought and homemade juice, the first difference we should note is the ingredients used. While both types of juices come packed full of nutrition, the ones made at home usually use natural fruits and vegetables instead of processed foods.
In fact, according to research conducted by Harvard University, fruit juices sold in supermarkets often contain high amounts of fructose and low amounts of dietary fiber. Fructose tends to raise blood glucose levels and increase insulin resistance. Insulin plays a key role in regulating fat metabolism. As a result, consuming too much fructose can lead to obesity.
Better Nutrition Value
The second advantage of fresh-squeezed juice over store bought juice is its higher nutritional value. When you choose to make your own juice, you have more control over what goes into it. You can add any kind of vegetable or herb that appeals to you. This means that you will not only consume fewer calories but also receive vitamins and minerals from other sources.
For example, carrots provide vitamin A while spinach contains iron. You may think that adding these two things would mean doubling up on their benefits. But actually, they complement each other well because when you combine them together, you end up with an even greater benefit than if you had consumed either separately.
As mentioned earlier, many commercially available juices have been stripped of their nutrients due to processing techniques. In addition, when food manufacturers add flavor enhancers like caramel coloring, artificial sweeteners, and other chemicals, they compromise nutritional value.
Personalized Experiences
Store bought juices offer an array of flavors ranging from classic citrus-based varieties to exotic tropical blends. However, most commercial brands don’t provide any information regarding what goes into making them. This means consumers cannot make informed choices based on personal preferences.
On the contrary, homemade juices are custom blended depending on your specific needs. They may include fresh herbs, spices, nuts, and seeds. These additions give homemade juices unique tastes and aromas.
Healthier Choices
Most commercial juices contain preservatives such as artificial sweeteners, colorings, and flavors. These additives can cause health problems, especially among children. For example, artificial colors in fruit juices could potentially alter the body’s ability to absorb certain vitamins. Using synthetic sweeteners for flavoring purposes can disrupt normal metabolic processes.
On the contrary, homemade squeezed juices are freshly prepared, so there won’t be any preservatives present. The only thing you need to worry about is ensuring that you use organic fruits whenever possible. Organic produce has higher nutrient content compared to conventionally grown crops.
Cost Effective
Homemade juices are also cheaper than buying packaged versions if you are planning to incorporate juicing into your daily lives. You simply need to buy some basic equipment and then follow simple instructions provided online.
When Is Store-Bought Juice Preferable Than Homemade Options?
Freshly squeezed juices are generally healthier alternatives to bottled products. They provide a greater source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and other nutrients that your body needs on a regular basis. In addition, they also help boost energy levels while providing a healthy alternative for those who want to lose weight.
However, there are some downsides as well. For one, if you do decide to make your own juice, then you will need to invest time into preparing it. You may also find that making your own juice requires more effort compared to buying bottled juice from the supermarket. Moreover, you have to drink homemade juice as soon as you make it. Homemade juices aren’t pasteurized, so they could contain harmful bacteria if you sit them for more than 2 days in the freezer.
Therefore, if you do not plan to drink juice regularly or have limited access to fruits and vegetables in your diet, then purchasing ready-made juice is probably better than trying to prepare them yourself.
The Bottom Line
If you prefer drinking natural juices over commercially produced ones, then you should consider making your own at home. It’s easy to prepare and doesn’t take much time. All you need is a well-rounded juicer machine and a few essential tools.
Me and my wife have been using my Vitamix Juicer for years now. We both love how smooth everything comes out when blending with this baby. The best part is that it makes enough juice for two people easily. If you’re looking for tips on how to choose the best juicing blending machine, check out our article here!
Store-bought juices may not be the necessary evil it seems, as some manufacturers are now seeking to develop healthier cold pressed juices. But when it comes down to choosing between fresh squeezed juice vs store bought, I would prefer homemade juices because they’re cheaper, fresher, and safe.
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