Do Vegetables Lose Nutrients When Blended?
Blending vegetables into juices and smoothies can be a great way to get a wide variety of nutrients in one drink. But blending causes some damage to the cell walls of the vegetables, and some people worry that this will cause them to lose valuable nutrition. So, do vegetables lose nutrients when blended? The answer to this question depends on the types of vegetables used and how they’re blended.
Types of Nutrients Affected by Blending
Most of the nutrients in vegetables are found inside their cell walls. When vegetables are blended, the cell walls are damaged, leading to a decrease in the bioavailability of some nutrients. In particular, fiber and some vitamins, such as vitamin C and B vitamins, may be affected.
The Best Way to Blend Vegetables
The way that you blend your vegetables can help to minimize the loss of nutrients. To get the most nutrition from your blended veggies, it’s best to:
- Start with frozen or raw veggies – Vega loses nutrition when heated, so it’s best to use either raw or frozen vegetables.
- Add some liquid – Adding some liquid to your blend helps to reduce the amount of air bubbles formed, which can help to preserve some of the nutrients.
- Use a high-powered blender – High-powered blenders blend more quickly and efficiently, minimizing the amount of time that the vegetables are exposed to air.
- Drink it right away – Blended veggies should be consumed immediately after blending to get the most nutrition.
In conclusion, some nutrients in vegetables may be lost when they are blended. However, by following the best blending practices outlined above, you can minimize the amount of nutrients that are lost.
