Are cold-pressed juices all they’re cracked up to be?

Are cold-pressed juices all they’re cracked up to be?

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 By Nutrition Expert Lolita Walters

In the world of juicing, ‘cold-pressed’ is the nutritional benchmark for those in the know. Cold Press Juice companies are popping up all over the country.

But what exactly is it? And does this method really mean your juice will be better for you?

In one word – yes. Cold press juices are better for you. It’s all in the juicing technique.

Cold-Pressed vs. Centrifugal Juicers

The most common form of juicers are known as centrifugal juicers ( you may even have one at home) and this is what your juice is most likely to be coming out of if you order it at the local café or juice bar. Centrifugal juicers extract the juice from the produce by shredding the fruit or vegetables with a sharp bladed disk that spins at high speeds, essentially separating the pulp and the liquid.

Cold-pressed juicers use a different method. They work instead by using a hydraulic press that literally squeezes the liquid and nutrients from the produce with extreme pressure. This method simply squashes the nectar out of the fruit and vegetables without using heat or friction. As the team at Pressed Juices describe it, the ‘cold pressed juicing process is one of love and patience.’

 This method simply squashes the nectar out of the fruit and vegetables without using heat or friction.

What are the comparative benefits of cold-pressed juice?

Cold pressed juice contains moree vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Comparitively, the heat, friction and high-speed shredding action characteristic of centrifugal juicers disrupts the nutrient value of the end juice product. This is because many of the essential vitamins, enzymes, proteins, and minerals you want in your juice are sensitive and need to be extracted carefully and gently to retain their healthful properties. This is what the cold-pressed juicer does, as the pressing action does not use heat or friction and thus won’t oxidize or degrade the fruit and vegetables. This means that cold-pressed juice is the best way to get huge quantities of pure, raw goodness from your produce.

 So do I need to make sure my juice is always cold-pressed / buy a cold-pressed juicer?

To put it in perspective, a traditional juicer runs at a hot 5000-15000 rpm, whilst a slow juicer functions at a cool 70-80 rpm, so you can imagine the difference it really does make. Cold-pressed juice contains significantly more vitamins, nutrients and enzymes, produces up to 35% more juice and juices will not separate and oxidise anywhere near as quickly as the product of a centrifugal juicer. This also means you can store the juice in the fridge for up to 3 days without compromising its nutritious components.

 Cold-pressed juice contains significantly more vitamins, nutrients and enzymes, produces up to 35% more juice and juices will not separate and oxidise anywhere near as quickly as the product of a centrifugal juicer.

So does that mean there’s no point consuming regular fresh juices? Not exactly. As long as you drink it immediately after it comes out of the centrifugal juicer, you will still be getting health benefits. However ultimately go for cold-pressed if you have the choice.

If you are looking to invest in your own juicer, while it may initially be more costly to buy a cold-pressed version, you end up getting more juice for your buck – literally. It takes less produce to make the same volume and also ensures higher nutrient concentration, which is why we all want to drink juices in the first place. Not to mention, cold-pressed juice tastes richer and better.

 By Nutrition Expert Lolita Walters

www.thehealthchick.com.au

 

 

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Renae Leith-Manos

Editor and Founder of Bondi Beauty

Renae Leith-Manos loves fitness, new beauty products, long chats and long flights. She is at her best when traveling the world writing about luxury hotels and Michelin Star restaurants (www.renaesworld.com.au). She has had a colourful media career as a journalist inmagazines and newspapers, in Australia and Asia. She spends her time writing, cooking, consulting to new businesses, running and working out.

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