FRUIT AND VEGETABLE JUICE
FRUIT AND VEGETABLE JUICE
Fruit juice’s halo in recent times has slipped according to some experts. The warning is that it contains as much sugar as carbonated drinks. Fruit juice is 100% pure juice made from the flesh of the fruit or from whole fruit. In recent years focus has been on sugar links to tooth decay and obesity. Leading experts, including Government advisors on health policy, are questioning the wholesomeness of fruit juice.
Fruit and vegetable juices play a significant role in the diet of all Australians. In particular in contributing to the recommended daily amounts of fruit and vegetables
Fruit Juice Extraction
In Australia, it is not permitted to add sugar, sweeteners, preservatives, flavouring or colouring to fruit juice. Fruit juices are generally described as from concentrate, not from concentrate or freshly squeezed. Fruits such a melon and papaya are steamed to release the juice whereas mango, guava, soursop, pineapple and strawberry must be pulped to extract the juice. Fruit pieces are pushed through a perforated plate that crushes and turns them into pulp. Apples and some stone fruits are pressed and squeezing, or reaming are the best to extract juice from citrus.
Fruit juice is one of the most common fruit products after fresh fruit. It can take many forms, including a nectar type juice with suspended solids, natural cloudy juice or a fully clarified juice, juice concentrate and fruit drinks.
Juicing the Fruit
Commercial juices which are labelled ‘not from concentrate’ are made by juicing the fruit. The juice is then pasteurised. The resulting liquid from juicing the fresh fruits and vegetables contains most of the vitamins, minerals and plant chemicals which are known as phytonutrients found in the whole fruit. However, during juicing the healthy fibre is from the fruits and vegetables.
Freshly juiced fruit has become a staple for many diets. It is popular amongst health-conscious and busy consumers without missing out on nutrients. Fruit juice links to claims that it may help lose weight and detox your system.
Juice Made from Concentrate
From concentrate means that all the excess water from the juice is removed, yielding a product seven times more concentrated than the initial juice. At the manufacturing stage, when juice from fruits and vegetable has been extracted and the pulp removed, the product is processed into two forms:
a) not-from-concentrate (NFC).
b) bulk frozen concentrated orange juice.
Fruit and vegetable juice concentrates are healthiest if made from 100% fruit or vegetables and should not contain additives like sugar or salt. The juice from concentrate is really juice from real fruit. However, the difference is that it is processed. Its water content was evaporated after extracting the juice from the real fruit and then dried up to make a powder. Therefore, technically it is still 100% juice that is made from a concentrated form. Juice concentrate may be reconstituted to 100% juice or less with no added sugar.
Fresh Juices
Fresh juices are packed with soluble fibre that supports good bacteria growth and digestive health. It also regulates blood sugar levels, helps lower cholesterol and slows the transit of food through the digestive tract.
Unfortunately, there are no special ingredients that can protect the integrity of fresh juice prolonging their shelf-life for long. For the best effects of the juice, you should drink it within 20 minutes.
Drinking green juice immediately gives you the biggest nutrient boost because the natural enzymes in fruits and vegetables start breaking down as soon as they are exposed to air.
