How healthy are Packed and Processed Fruit Juices?

source: gettingeasy.com

Many food and beverage making companies are making a fool of consumers these days. The fruits juices are packed and processed with a seal of zero preservatives and all the nutrients intact that the real fruits have to offer.

But, is this the truth? A consumer buys a packed fruit juice that comes with a shelf-life of 6 months or so with a thought that he is drinking something healthy over the sugared drinks or colas, by having absolutely no idea that these juices are also nothing more than a dose of high sugar for his body.

Let’s take a closer look at what we are saying:
Have you ever wondered why different types of juices are having different shelf-life even when they all have come from the same source i.e. the fresh fruits? This duration of shelf-life varies because of the difference in the technologies being used for the juice extraction, and the preservation technique being used on the juices.

Just take a look at the different types of juices and their shelf-lives:
• Fresh juice made from the centrifugal process – not more than an hour.
• Fresh unprocessed cold-pressed juice – best consumed within 7-8 hours, but can be preserved for 2-3 days if refrigerated.
• Packaged juices – Can be stored for months

Having such a long shelf-life clearly implies that packaged juices are nothing in terms of the fruit nutrition, instead, they are solely a dose of preservatives. They are processed on such a high level while packaging that all the nutritional value get lost. Sugar and artificial flavor are added in the processed packed juices to increase their sweetness and to give a similar kind of flavor in all packaged juices that make it nothing more than a sweet flavored drink.

The tag for using no preservatives is getting highly popular these days because the juice making companies have got a replacement of adding a preservative to increase the shelf-life of a juice and that technique is called the deoxygenation. But, this technique also degrades the quality of the juice to a great extent.

Overall, packaging and processing of juices are something that eliminates the natural qualities and flavor of a real juice to a great extent.
Now, the juices are categorized into three categories. All these types differ in the amount of nutritional value they possess. Fruits are full of vitamins, minerals, live enzymes and fiber, a juice that contains all these things in the highest amount is considered to be the healthiest.

Juices taken out from the Centrifugal process

• The centrifugal process generates and retains heat while the juice production and this is a comparatively harsh process.
• This heat and harshness eliminates most of the nutrients and live enzymes from the fruit juice.
• This process speeds up the oxidation process of the juice that makes it spoil quickly only within 1 or 2 hours.

Fresh Cold-Pressed Juices

• The technique used to take out the fresh cold-pressed juices is the most efficient juice extraction technique known so far.
• It retains the maximum amount of nutrition, live enzymes and fiber present in a fruit.
• This process slows down the oxidation process and increases the juice’s shelf-life to a great extent, to up to 2, 3 days.
• Though eating a raw fresh fruit is the healthiest option, but having the fresh cold-pressed juice is nearest to that and absolutely suitable for juice lovers who are also looking to consume the maximum nutritional value.

The popularity, demand and thus the production of fresh cold-pressed juices are increasing at a great pace in India because of the amazing health benefits they bring along. Many companies claim to provide absolutely preservative free cold-pressed juices that can be stored for months. But, if this is the case, it is for sure that the juice has gone through some or the other preservation process.

So, even if you are up for the cold-pressed juices, make the selection of juice making brand wisely by considering the following points:

• Always choose the fresh cold-pressed juices.
• Choose the one packed in glass bottles instead of plastic because glass bottles are any day better than plastic.
• Rely on taste that it should be fresh and not pale, the juice should be made without any added sugar or color.
• Check that the juice should be easily available with the facility of anywhere delivery.

Packaged Juices

• Packed juices are pasteurized juices at high temperature that makes them lose all the vitamins and minerals.
• A high dose of preservatives is added to the juices to increase their shelf life to up to 6 months.
• They taste sweet and good because of the added sugar and artificial flavors.
• They increase the sugar level in the body without providing any nutrition.
• They are high in calories than fresh juices so not suitable for diabetic and obese people.

Maybe the fruits used for the juice production are same, but the difference in technique of taking out the juice creates the difference in their nutritional value. And, now as if you know all this, why not to have a juice that contains the maximum nutritional benefits?
Only go for the cold-pressed juices taken out freshly and all natural without undergoing any preservation technique or process.

Fortunately, some juice making companies are selling this high-quality cold-pressed juices along with a facility of easy delivery. You just need to approach them to take the much-needed dose of freshness and nutrition together by getting an easy delivery.