Does Blending Fruits and Vegetables Destroy Nutrients?
Blending fruits and vegetables is becoming increasingly popular due to its convenience and health benefits. But does this process of blending degrade the nutritional content of these foods?
What Nutrients in Fruits and Vegetables Can Blend Away?
Blending fruits and vegetables can potentially diminish the nutritional content. First of all, blending can drive away some of the water soluble vitamins like Vitamin C, Vitamin B and thiamin. This is because these kinds of vitamins are water-soluble and are liable to be destroyed due to excessive oxidation and heat.
Pros of Blending Fruits and Vegetables
In spite of the potential nutrient loss, there are still some advantages to blending fruits and vegetables. Through blending, we can get more nutrients in a single portion than we would get just from eating. Also, it makes it easier for us to digest vegetables and fruits that are otherwise hard to chew. This means that our body can get more nutrition out of a certain food. Moreover, blending can increase the availability of nutrients like carotenoids, which are more difficult to absorb in their raw state.
Tips to Maximize Nutrient Preservation from Blending Fruits and Vegetables
- Use cold water: Cold water will help preserve the nutrients in your blended foods while also making the process less damaging to the ingredients.
- Use the right settings: Not all blenders are created equal, so it’s important to use the right settings so as not to over-process the ingredients.
- Mix quickly: The longer the ingredients are being blended, the more nutrients will be lost.
- Consume right away: Once blended, the food should be consumed immediately in order to get the maximum amount of nutrients.
Conclusion
Blending fruits and vegetables can potentially lead to nutrient loss due to excessive oxidation and heat. However, there are several ways that you can minimize the loss of nutrients, including using cold water, using the correct settings, mixing quickly, and consuming the food right away. If done correctly, blending can still be a great way to get the most out of your produce.
