This is a sponsored guest post.
We all know that orange juice delivers vitamin C, an essential nutrient that supports our immune system. After all, this is why we stock up on orange juice when we get a cold.
What most people do not realize is that there has long been a debate over whether or not orange juice is as healthy as we think it is.
Fresh or Concentrate?
Orange juice has always been a popular drink. During the Second World War, scientists and the federal government worked together to develop an easily accessible alternative to fresh orange juice: frozen orange juice concentrate.
The concentrate is created by extracting the juice from oranges and filtering some or all of the pulp. The juice is then heat-pasteurized and separated to be sold as liquid from the juice or as a concentrate.
The juice from concentrate goes through an additional heat process to evaporate the water, and what remains is stored or packaged for sale.
The top brands and premium orange juices sold in your local store are advertised as “not from concentrate” or “fresh squeezed.” However, oranges go through a long process from citrus grove to the bottle or carton.
This “100-percent natural” juice is nowhere near the same as the freshly squeezed orange juice your grandma used to make in the kitchen. That fresh and delicious taste comes from a lab rather than the orange groves, as oils and essences are extracted from the oranges to add to the manufacturing plants.
What’s in Your Juice?
Along with adding flavor, orange juice manufacturers may also add citric acid (ascorbic acid) to increase the vitamin C content and to replace any vitamins that may have been lost in the pasteurization process.
Most brands that you see in the stores offer options with added calcium and vitamin D. Some even add omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil to give it an additional nutritional boost. These added nutrients are bioavailable, so you are better off getting them from natural sources.
Florida is the most popular state for orange production and their peak season in March through June. Anytime outside of this and you are likely drinking oranges from Florida blended with those that have been in storage for a while as they travel from Brazil.
The label may say “pure Florida orange juice” but the content is markedly different and is something you should be aware of. More often than not, commercial juice has been in storage for over a year and flavor packs are added to restore taste and aroma.
When it comes to storing orange juice, the preferred method is aseptic storage. This process removes all the oxygen from the juice through deaeration.
Without the ability to oxidize in the tanks, there is no chance that it can go bad. The deaeration process, however, removes all the natural chemicals of the juice, which is why flavor and other additives are needed before it hits the store shelves.
The flavors and oils come from oranges, so the labels are allowed to advertise “100% orange juice,” despite not being very fresh or real at all.
Benefits of Juicing
Freshly squeezed juices are now the talk of the town and are aggressively sought in place of pasteurized versions. Even more popular is the concept of making your own juice.
People are buying juicing equipment and making their own natural, fresh juice every day. Whether you buy fresh from the store or make your own, there are a number of health benefits that support this popular juicing trend.
Juicing can be a great way to reap health rewards when you don’t like eating fruits and vegetables. With juicing you can get essential vitamins, phytonutrients, and minerals in your diet without having to eat the stuff you don’t like.
It is important to remember that juicing needs to be done in conjunction with a healthy diet; simply living on juice alone will not be a good idea. Juice does not provide your daily recommended fiber and can increase your blood sugar levels substantially.
Juicing is good for you, but it needs to be treated as a supplement rather than a new diet plan.
You also can use juicing in your cooking where you are not just limited to drinking the benefits. Juices from your favorite fruits and vegetables can be added to broths, sauces, or cooking batters.
You can even use it to boil rice and pasta for additional fortification. By drinking juice and adding it to some of your daily meals, you can double up on potential immune support during winter months and better ward off any of those pesky cold and flu viruses.
The Art of Juicing
Juicing can be creative, and you can develop your own mixes and concoctions. Learn the vitamins and minerals that certain fruits and vegetables provide and choose them according to the health benefits you are seeking.
You can design your own juice menu based on the ingredients of the fruits and what they can do for you. Juicing is easy and fun and there are so many possible mixtures that you are guaranteed never to get bored.
Try some of the ones listed below and then start making your own. Supplemental nutrition has never been so fun!
- Morning Sunshine: Blend all the below ingredients together for a delicious and nutritious breakfast treat.
- 2 Ruby Red Grapefruit, in sections
- 2 Oranges, in sections
- 3 Gala Apples. sliced
- 1 two-inch piece of Ginger, chopped
- Afternoon Cooler: This combination of goodness gives you a juice that helps you through that afternoon slump.
- 4 Persian Cucumbers
- 6 Stalks of Celery
- 5 Large Swiss Chard Leaves
- 2 Gala Apples
- Evening Calm: Relax in the evening with a juice cocktail that helps your body unwind after an active day.
- 4 Large Carrots
- 3 Beets
- 5 Apricots
- 1 Bunch of Parsley
- Purple Juice: A fun drink for kids and adults. Everyone loves the color, and it is much healthier than the sugary, bright-colored boxed juices at the store.
- 1 bunch purple kale
- ¼ head red cabbage
- 1 red beet
- 1-2 carrots
- Ground ginger, 1-inch piece
- 1 lemon
Of course, these are just examples of juices to try at home. There are even more recipes for juice than there are fruits and vegetables, so have fun exploring new, creative ways of making healthy drinks.
