Juice
Look fresh and feel healthy
editorial.overview
What health benefits do freshly pressed juices offer?
Freshly pressed juices support our gut health, reduce inflammation, help balance our acid–base status and have a positive effect on skin appearance. A multi-day juice cleanse can regulate metabolism and help the body detoxify. Even a few days of healthy juices contribute to a robust immune system, rehydrate the body and promote a fresh look.
Most of the fibre is removed in the juice, which means vitamins and minerals can be absorbed particularly quickly – a benefit when tired, lacking appetite or after physical exertion.
Freshly pressed juices provide the body not only with fluids but also with valuable electrolytes. This can be especially helpful in heat, during sport or illness to optimally regulate the body's water balance.
Juices containing ingredients such as beetroot, celery, ginger or lemon stimulate digestion, support liver function and can help the body eliminate metabolic waste more easily.
The natural sugars present, combined with vitamins, provide a quick but healthy energy boost – ideal in the morning or during dips in concentration.
Was ist Ihr Lieblingssaft?
Which vital nutrients are found in freshly pressed juices?
Juices are rich in countless vital nutrients: although fibre is lost during pressing, many vitamins, minerals and secondary plant compounds such as flavonoids and phenols pass into the juice.
Because they are derived directly from fruit and vegetables, freshly pressed juices deliver a concentrated dose of micronutrients like vitamin C, beta-carotene, potassium and magnesium – ideal for supporting the immune system, skin health and cell regeneration.
editorial.facts
- Studies show that pasteurized orange juice can be healthier than a fresh orange. Fibre inhibits the absorption of carotenoids in the digestive tract, and carotenoids from juice can be absorbed up to twice as well by the body as those from fresh fruit.
- Have you heard that cola is as healthy as juice? It's not really about juice but about so-called fruit juice drinks that contain only six percent fruit, the rest being water, flavourings and sugar. Such drinks actually contain as much sugar as a soft drink.
- Fruit juices can promote tooth decay due to the fruit sugars and fruit acids they contain.
What are the differences between the various juice types on the market?
Direct juice is considered the healthiest: it contains no additives, no added sugar, is made from 100 percent fruit or vegetables and is filtered and bottled immediately after pressing. A variant of direct juice is so-called Muttersaft (first-press juice), which comes from the initial pressing, is processed gently and therefore contains a higher proportion of suspended solids.
The term fruit juice means the product is 100 percent fruit, but up to 15 grams of sugar per litre may be added to slightly soften a tart taste.
There are also juice spritzers (Fruchtsaftschorlen) – a mix of fruit juice and mineral water, where the fruit juice itself is 100 percent from fruit. Another category is the fruit juice drink (Fruchtsaftgetränk). This beverage is far from a healthy fruit juice: it has a very low fruit content, multiple additives and consists almost entirely of water, large amounts of sugar, flavourings and carbonation.
If the texture of a fruit juice is too pulpy or it tastes too sour, the fruit content is diluted with water and the drink is called nectar. Fruit content in this case can range from 50 percent (e.g. multivitamin nectar) to 25 percent (e.g. currant nectar) and up to 20 percent added sugar is permitted. If the fruit juice is additionally blended with fruit purée, it is called a smoothie.
Why aren't freshly pressed juices a full substitute for whole fruit and vegetables?
Freshly pressed juices are nutrient-rich, but they are not a full substitute for whole fruit and vegetables because they lack important components that are essential for a balanced diet.
Most of the fibre contained in the peel and pulp is lost during juicing.
Juices often contain the same or even more natural sugar than whole fruits – but without the satiating effect of fibre. This can cause blood sugar to rise more quickly and, over time, may be unfavourable for weight or insulin sensitivity.
Chewing is an important part of the feeling of fullness and aids digestion. Juices, by contrast, pass through the stomach more quickly, which can lead to consuming more calories without realising it.
What should you look for when buying juices?
When buying juices, it's important to check the ingredient list, as some juices are heavily sweetened. Many fruit juices contain added sugar or syrup, which increases the calorie content and diminishes the health benefits.
Direct juices without additives are the healthiest choice, while fruit juice drinks and nectars often contain added sugar and other additives. Labels like “no added sugar” or “100% fruit” are good indicators. Good juices need only one ingredient: the fruit itself. Additives such as flavourings, colourings or preservatives are often signs of an inferior product.
Organic juices come from certified organic cultivation and contain fewer pesticide residues. The environment also benefits from farming without chemical pesticides.
More than just thirst quenchers: tips for optimal juice enjoyment
- Be aware that a juice should not be consumed as a thirst quencher. Even the best natural juice contains a lot of fruit sugar and should therefore be drunk in moderation.
- When buying, choose a direct juice without artificial additives, packaged protected from light in Tetra Paks or a dark bottle, and do not store it refrigerated for long.
- If you press juice yourself, consume it preferably immediately. Otherwise some valuable ingredients evaporate under the influence of oxygen and light.
- Orange juice is one of the most popular juices. You can drink it to promote the formation of red blood cells, regulate cell division through the potassium and folic acid it contains, and strengthen your hair, skin and nails with biotin.
- Apricot juice provides plenty of beta-carotene and contributes to healthy, soft and supple skin. It also increases the skin's resistance to strong sunlight.
- If you want to lower your cholesterol naturally, reach for tomato juice, which supplies high amounts of the plant compound lycopene and can help prevent arteriosclerosis.
- Cranberry juice stands out with an extra portion of nutrients and combats the bacterium Helicobacter pylori effectively; studies show it can decrease by around 20 percent after 2 months.
- Cranberry (lingonberry/berry) juice scores with vitamin C and contains plentiful proanthocyanidins, which alter the surface structure of bladder bacteria and block their attachment.
- For a sore throat, blackcurrant juice is recommended: it has antibacterial properties and provides vitamin C.
- Pumpkin juice supports your kidneys through a strong diuretic effect and protects your eyesight thanks to a high content of carotenoids.
- Beetroot juice helps lower blood pressure: 0.5 Liter of juice reduces blood pressure by about 5 mmHg for a whole day. Please note the high fruit sugar content. This juice can be mixed with carrot juice.
- The healthiest juice is considered to be the mix of five vegetables in equal parts: carrot, beetroot, sauerkraut, celery and tomato. This blend supports healthy defenses, good vision, and a strong heart and brain.
- Never take medication together with grapefruit juice, as it can interact with the active ingredients of many drugs.
Combine different juices and bring flavour and vitality into your daily life, sip by sip!
