What is the healthiest juicing machine?

The answer is, the one which not only makes you the healthier juices, but much more — like healthier smoothies, and healthier nut milks (like almond milk), all with low, or no sugar, and no additives! Thus contributing much more to your health!
For this, there are some all-important features you’ll want to look for in a juicer, and also some to avoid — the deal breakers — regardless of brand, power…

We know freshly squeezed, homemade juice is much healthier for you and your family than the shelf-stable one from the supermarket, that’s for sure! Pasteurization does kill the microorganisms responsible for spoilage, but, unfortunately, most of the enzymes and vital substances, that you want for your well-being and shape, are also lost.
Not to mention that most commercial juices have additives, which are not that good for your health.
If you really want high-quality healthy juices to drink at home, take to work, or give to your kids to school, you’d better be making them yourself.
And for this, you’ll need a very good juicer machine.

That’s why the choice of the right juicer for you plays an essential role: there are great differences in the vitamin and mineral content of freshly squeezed juices, depending on the machine’s method of juicing.
These can be divided into two main kinds:

1 – The centrifugal juicers, aka fast juicers;

2 – The slow juicers, aka masticating juicers.

So, what’s the big question here? After all, both kind of appliances make juice… Don’t they?
You’re right to wonder, because each type of juicer have their advantages and disadvantages, and they produce juice in a completely different way.
A short description of how they work, plus a table with their respective pros and cons, will let us see which kind is the healthiest juicer, and why: this will give you the necessary information to make your choice.

1 – The centrifugal juicers:

These are undoubtedly the faster kind. Once loaded with your ingredients, most of these juicers will make you a juice in the next few minutes.
However, the quick juicing process that follows is a nutritional downer.
The centrifugal juicer chops the pressed material with a flat blade into small pieces, and uses centrifugal force to spin the liquid, including vitamins, enzymes and minerals, out of the cell walls.

Unfortunately, the fruit is not only broken down into its components — water and pulp — but, due to the high revolutions (generally around 15,000 rpm, but with some models going as high as 25.000 rpm!) the juice is heated, and thus, heat-sensitive substances are destroyed.
These include vitamin C, among others.

Also, such juicers swirl a lot of oxygen into the juice. As a result, oxidation quickly occurs. This, too, is at the expense of the healthy ingredients.
This can be seen very clearly in the fact that the juices turn brown after some time.
Therefore, these have a very short “freshness” life — you must drink them immediately.
And no, storage in the refrigerator for the next day is not advisable, because the taste quality quickly deteriorates, and after about 12 hours the juice starts tasting sour.

How about advantages? As we’ve seen, they’re faster; they’re also cheaper; and generally they take less space. But, unfortunately, none of these have anything to do with our analysis here, which relates to how healthy the juicer is.

2 – The slow juicers (AKA masticating juicers)

The slow juicer is different: Here, the fruit (and /or vegetables, if it’s the case) are slowly, gently and relatively quietly, crushed and squeezed out by a press roller, or screw, at generally between 40 and 100 revolutions per minute.
The cell membranes of the pressed material are slightly torn, thus releasing the valuable plant substances as well as the healthy chlorophyll from green leafy vegetables and grasses (yes!).
Liquid and plant fibers are separated by a sieve.
The result of this slow squeeze is not only a visually more homogeneous juice, but also one that tastes worlds better, and contains all the important nutrients.

Due to the low speed, the pressed material hardly comes into contact with oxygen, which means that the juice does not turn brown so quickly and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.
The resulting “Slow Juice” is a natural concentrated load of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, phytochemicals and antioxidants contained in the fruits and vegetables processed his way.
Also, the juice yield from the same amount of fruit and vegetables is higher with the slow juicer than with the centrifugal juicer.
Their main disadvantages are:

• they’re more expensive;
• generally need more space;
• the whole process takes more time (preparing, juicing, cleaning).

What type of juicer is best for nutrition?

What is good for one person may not be good for another.
With the following table you’ll be able to clearly and quickly see their pros and cons:

How to use this table:

Use this table starting with what are the most IMPORTANT Characteristics or Features for you and your family: those will be the main pros and cons to consider for your particular case.
That’s why there are a few key questions you need to keep in mind when comparing kinds of machines.
I suggest you think about the following points, in order to choose the kind of machine that best suits your needs:

• How easy is it to use and clean?
• How much time do you have to prepare your juices?
• What is your budget?
• Do you want a machine that is quiet?
• Are the nutrients well preserved?
• How much space do you have to store your machine?
• Is the model compatible with the use of all types of fruits and vegetables?
• Does it just makes juices, or will it be helping with other kinds of foods/drinks also?
• Does the product have a good warranty?

These are important considerations. For example, a centrifugal juicer can produce juice very quickly but it is also very noisy.
On the other hand, a slow juicer is more versatile, produces a better quality of juice but is more expensive.

(See our recommendation here, please click here)

Vegetables — where the most good is!

Although fruit juices enjoy the most popularity, for health goals, like more energy, better metabolism and weight loss, the gold is in the vegetable juices (and smoothies)!
Fruit juices do provide vitamins and minerals, but they generally have high amounts of natural sugar in the form of fructose.
(High fruit juices can cause sudden spikes in your blood sugar levels and, therefore, diabetics should have them in moderation.)
A general suggestion for healthy juicing is to follow the 90/10 rule, which means 90% of your ingredients should be vegetables, and 10% should constitute of fruits to add natural sweetness and flavor to your drink.

Since some people may dislike eating their vegetables with their meals, a wholesome delicious juicing/smoothie can greatly help, with at least part of, their daily intake of veggies.
Where to start? Carrot juice, beetroot juice and spinach are all great options.

Here are a few tips for nutritional benefits, and more:

• Since fruit juices alone may not be that healthy, you’ll need a juicing machine that’s great at juicing vegetables, specially green leafy ones — and those are the slow (masticating) juicers.
  
• Use organic ingredients where possible. Preferably always, this will give you more nutrients, and also fiber for you good gut bacteria!
  
• For juicing, add the harder ingredients first then the softer ones. For example, apple followed by beetroot then carrot.
  
• Keep your juicing ingredients separated from the rest of the food: this will make it easier, not only to find (makes things quicker), but also to control your stock — you’ll always have a rough idea of how many days your ingredients last (not so if people use them for snacks)!
  
• If you really want a fruit based juice/smoothie, aim for no more than ⅓ of it to be fruit, as, otherwise, the sugar content will be very high, as we’ve seen above.
  
• Drink your juice / smoothie within 2 hours of making it, many vitamins, antioxidants and enzymes will be lost if you leave it longer.
  
• When using coconuts, go for fresh ones if you can — use a big cleaver to cut the top off, then make 4 cuts in a box shape on the top and lever the middle out.
  
• Want a colder drink? Just add some ice into the machine as an ingredient! 🙂
  
• Have fun and experiment with making your own smoothies and juices. They are certainly one of the main reasons why some people always feel energetic and vibrant!

What are the healthiest things to add into a juice or smoothie?

Please note: any substance, super-food or not, can have side effects, and or, not be recommended in certain situations (like pregnancy or breast-feeding). You should always talk to your doctor or health professional about anything you’re including in your diet.

These health-giving juicing machines can also make you really, really healthy smoothies: smoothies made with a cold press juicer (slow) have a better quality to start with, however, you are always limited by the ingredient’s own properties, meaning, if the smoothies’ components lack some nourishing items important for you, it doesn’t matter how many smoothies or drink, it will always lack them.
The best way to solve this is to add some real healthy stuff to your smoothies:

The healthiest things to put in your smoothie are not only those great nutrients ordinary smoothies lack, but also living bacteria — the good kind!
Lets see six of the healthiest ingredients you can add to your smoothies for that extra health oomph:
The amounts to add depend on personal taste and preference, but we’ll give you a pointer to start with. Later, increase or decrease according to your own experience and taste.

1 – Coconut Oil — a healthy fat that is thermogenic (burns fat)!
Coconut oil has some amazing health benefits such as increasing metabolism and endurance — which is great if you workout or are running after little ones all day.
Coconut oil, along with many other coconut products, has been a staple food for many peoples for thousands of years. And, although coconut oil is rich in saturated fatty acids, it holds a wealth of extremely helpful properties for human health. Coconut oil is very easy to digest. It regulates blood lipid levels, has antimicrobial effects, and is also a good source of antioxidants.

Coconut oil is a rich source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), a type of saturated fat. The MCTs may help reduce hunger, thus helping reduce food intake. A proportion of MCTs you eat are broken down in a process that produces molecules called ketones.
Ketones reduce appetite by either acting directly on the brain’s chemical messengers or altering the levels of hunger-inducing hormones, such as ghrelin.
Start by adding one table spoon at room temperature, bit by bit, so it mixes easily. If you find your oil solid, slowly warm it up in a water bath (bain marie).

2 – Probiotics — our friendly bacteria!
Probiotics help with rebuilding and maintaining your microbiome.
Start by adding 150 grams (around 5 Oz) of probiotic yoghurt. The rich yogurt thickens your smoothie and gives it a delicious, ultra-creamy finish.
You have other options, and it’s really a good idea to vary your sources of probiotics, because species diversity is important.

Another great option is kefir, (sometimes you can find it in a liquid version) that’s also packed with protein, vitamins, besides the beneficial probiotics for better gut health.
Even more options to add healthy probiotics:
Plant based: soy, lupine or coconut yoghurt (make sure there is no added sugar!), water kefir, kombucha, fermented vegetables.
Animal: unsweetened plain yogurt (cow, sheep, goat), buttermilk, ayran and skyr.

3 – Ginger — the healthy super-tuber!
Ginger should — if you hopefully like it — be mixed regularly into your smoothies.
Ginger gives energy, concentration and freshness. Thanks to its zinc, beta-carotene, vitamin B and C content, ginger has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It also relieves nausea and some forms of pain.

It’s packed with goodness, including an essential oil, which contains, among other things, Zinigberen, Curcumen and beta-Eudesmol. The typical taste of ginger comes from healthy pungent substances such as gingerols and shogaols.
Besides digestive and circulatory stimulants, ginger contains magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium and phosphorus.
It can be used its original form, fresh (raw or cooked), taking care to peel it, or in powder.
Its taste is particularly strong, so it is better not to use too much: start with no more than a tea spoon.

4 – Barley grass — the green leafy super-food!
Barley grass combines such a unique variety of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, secondary plant compounds and antioxidants, that it is hard to find a food that can even come close.
Barley grass also contains a highly active substance called proanthocyanidin. This is a secondary plant substance that works for our health at the cellular level. Proanthocyanidins are antioxidants that can protect our cells from free radicals and toxins, and also support the cells of our immune system.

Proanthocyanidins are also known to have a particularly beneficial effect on skin and connective tissue.
In this way, barley grass reduces the risk of inflammatory diseases, of infections and also of cancer.
Quantity: Chop the grass into small pieces. Measure the grass this way to about ¼ cup of grass per serving. If you’re using powder, start with one tea spoon.

5 – Bee Pollen — natural secret for strong shiny hair, and balanced healthy skin!
Bee Pollen is an incredible source of protein, which has earned it the nickname “hive steak”.
It is also a source of vitamins (like Thiamine and Riboflavin — which contribute to a normal energy metabolism and the normal functioning of the nervous system), fiber and minerals (like Selenium — which contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system).

It is a remarkable nutritional supplement ideal as a complement to Royal Jelly.
Finally, it is an antioxidant and acts as a probiotic, protecting the intestinal flora.

Its many other properties vary depending on the flower from which it is derived.
It is considered by nutritionists as a “super food”.
The right dose? A large tablespoon per day, pure.

6 – Moringa — probably the most nutrient-dense super-food!
Moringa contains many antioxidants, amino acids (about 18 different ones), iron, magnesium and calcium.
It also offers lots of vitamins A, C, B1 and B6. Moringa has many health benefits, but two in particular interest us right now: it prevents fatigue — many of us feel both physically and mentally exhausted due to the current situation — and it helps with weight loss.

Moringa is also said to help with weight loss, as it is satiating, and prevents cravings for sweets. Studies confirm that moringa regulates blood sugar levels (it is believed to contain compounds such as isothiocyanates), which helps us maintain a good hormonal environment to be able to reduce weight, accompanied by proper nutrition.

What do I have to consider for healthy juices and smoothies?

Summing it up and simplifying as much as possible, the following things are important for a good and healthy juice or smoothie:

• Vegetable juices are better than fruit juices (rich in phytonutrients, low on sugar).
• Homemade is usually better than store-bought.
• Protect the juice from heat, light and oxygen.
• Add nutrition.

If you follow these simple four basic rules, you will maximize the health aspects of your juice.

FREE Healthy Juicing Tips pdf Bright Ideas:

FREE Cheat Sheet for healthy juicing:

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