Differences Between Juices, Soft Drinks and Smoothies
We may think that juices, soft drinks, and smoothies are similar. This is a mistake because these three drinks all have very different properties. Read more if you would like to find out about the differences between the three groups.
Juices
Juices contain freshly squeezed fruits. A natural juice does not contain any extra ingredients. To make juice all you need to do is choose one (or several) different types of fruit and then extract the juice either manually or with an electric juicer.
In order to make just one cup of juice, you will need many pieces of fruit. Another disadvantage of natural fruit is that it does not contain any fiber. Fiber is found in the parts of the fruit, such as the skin and the peel, which are usually discarded.
If you regularly drink juice, you should keep in mind that the healthiest juices are those that are made at home. Boxed juices contain excessive amounts of sugar and this makes them unhealthy options. Another fact to keep in mind is that juices often lose some of their beneficial properties if they are stored for long periods of time.
Soft drinks
If natural juices and smoothies are healthy options, soft drinks are the complete opposite. Keep in mind however that this is not always true, some boxed juices are just as harmful as sugarless soft drinks.
Soft drinks are nothing more than carbonated drinks. They are made with a non-alcoholic effervescent base. Soft drinks are known to increase the risk of obesity and cardiovascular diseases.
The truth is that soft drinks, unlike natural juices and smoothies, do not have any positive benefits for the body. They do not contain vitamins, minerals or fiber. What soft drinks do contain however is an excessive amount of sugar.
If you decide to drink soft drinks you should keep a few points in mind. The first point is not to consume more than two soft drinks per week. Never allow drinking soft drinks to become a habit. The second is to always opt for sugar-free versions. Almost every brand of soft drinks also offers sugar-free options.
Smoothies
Smoothies are made with fruits and/or vegetables, including the skin. Since it contains every part of the fruit, smoothies are usually thicker. They can be customized by adding water, milk or vegetables.
Smoothies are more satisfying than juices since they contain more properties. Unlike juices, all of the fruit is used, therefore smoothies contain a healthy serving of fiber. Furthermore, smoothies can be a substitute for a meal.
The big advantage of smoothies is that there are a wide variety of options. Experiment in the kitchen using different combinations of fruits, vegetables, and bases. Here are a few green shake recipes that you can try.
Conclusion
After analyzing the differences between juices, soft drinks and smoothies the conclusions are as follows:
- Smoothies are one of the healthiest options since they conserve all of the nutrients from the fruits that they are made of.
- If you choose juices, it’s best to make them at home.
- Processed juices are just as harmful as sugar-free soft drinks.
- Soft drinks do not contribute anything to the body. They are not a beneficial option from a nutritional point of view. If you decide to drink soft drinks, make sure you choose sugar-free versions.