Juices are the favorite drinks of many people, especially in hot weather. According to most, the juice should consist only of fruits, vegetables or berries. Therefore, it is better to squeeze the juices yourself using some best juicers for celery at your home – you see what is added there.
But when you come to the store, you simply run your eyes from the choice. Juices, nectars, fruit drinks, reconstituted and freshly squeezed juices … Let’s try to figure out how to choose the right juice.
So, we will focus on the following points:
Type of Juice
Let’s first understand what is sold in stores, and which drink has the most natural substances. Pay attention to what is written on the package:
Juice Consists Entirely of Fruits, Vegetables or Berries
Therefore, it is the best and most useful. But not all fruits can make juice. For example, from bananas, 100% juice would be mashed. And from apples or citrus fruits it is better to choose juice, and not nectar. The use of dyes, preservatives and flavorings is prohibited by GOST.
Nectar
In nectars, the percentage of juice ranges from 25% to 50%. Wonderful nectars are obtained from fruits with dense pulp. Juice cannot be obtained from peaches, bananas, mangoes and some other fruits and berries, so nectars are made from them. Preservatives, flavors and colorings cannot be added to nectars, but just in case, read the composition.
A juice-containing drink contains 10% – 25% of the juice, usually reconstituted. The remaining ingredients are water, sugar, colorants, flavors and preservatives. You should not buy such juice, there is almost no benefit in it.
Morse is made from berries (about 15%), the remaining ingredients are also water, flavorings and citric acid.
In addition, juices are restored, freshly squeezed and direct pressed:
Reconstituted Juice
This is juice that was initially concentrated and then restored. When concentrated, part of the water evaporates from the juice and its mass decreases. To get the restored juice, water is added to it. This juice contains less vitamins and nutrients than freshly squeezed. They are lost in the process of concentration.
Freshly squeezed juice and direct-squeezed juice are made from fresh fruits. It contains a greater number of vitamins.
Sterilized Juice is a Long-term Storage Juice
temperature of 100 degrees, this juice can be stored for a long time at room temperature. When heated, microflora dies and some vitamins are lost, so juices are often enriched with vitamins.
Do not believe the inscription on the package “100% juice” if it is restored. Such juice has lost some of its vitamins and contains not only juice, but also water; it cannot be 100% by definition.
On the package it can be written: “made from fruit puree”, “made from concentrated juice”. This means that the juice is recovered.
Children and Adult Juices
Most people believe that baby juices are healthier and safe, but this is far from always the case. It is worth paying attention to Russian legislation: some of the norms for children’s juice are the same as for an adult. What scares the most is the other: the norm of radioactive cesium in baby juice is 1.5 times more than for an adult! Of course, most likely cesium will not get into the juice, but still …1.
Packing Material
The packaging material can also be varied. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Glass is the best packaging for juice. She does not react with any products. The only negative of such a package is that it can break.
A cardboard box is better than other packages to prevent sunlight. Also, this packaging will not break. But in such boxes it is not necessary to store acidic juices, such as orange or pineapple. They may eventually react with the packaging.
Plastic also reacts with acidic juice over time. A carcinogen begins to stand out. Therefore, it is not worth storing juice in a plastic container for a long time.2.
Juice Composition
The composition of the juice directly depends on its type. Juice is 100% fruit, vegetables and berries. It may also contain sugar. Nectars, in addition to these ingredients, include water and citric acid. The composition of juice drinks may include various preservatives and flavorings.
The best drink is one that contains only natural products. It is worth considering this when choosing juice.3.
Vitamins in Juice
Vitamins are stored in freshly squeezed juices and juices of direct extraction. In the restored juice, vitamins are the least.
Vegetables and fruits are sources of vitamins A, group B, C, carotene, potassium, biotin, nicotinic acid, etc. For example, citrus juices (orange, lemon, grapefruit) are the best source of vitamin C. And watermelon juice is good for the stomach.4.
Shelf life of Juice
Shelf life must be indicated on the packaging. On average, juice in open form is stored for about 5 days. Sterilized juice can be stored for several months in unopened packaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Natural Preservative for Fruit Juice?
Home Preservation Methods for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
There are many natural preservation methods that you can use to keep your fruit and vegetable juices fresh. One of the most popular is apple cider vinegar, which is a common ingredient in pickles, condiments, salad dressings, sauces, marinades, and more. This acid-based solution helps to prevent spoilage by inhibiting the growth or activity of microorganisms. Additionally, it has anti-fungal properties that help to preserve food items stored in acidic environments.
Are Green Juices Healthy?
Everyone’s diet is different, and what is healthy for one person may not be so healthy for another. That being said, some general guidelines that may help you include lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet, drinking lots of water, avoiding processed foods, and avoiding sugar. If you have any further questions or concerns about your diet or health, please feel free to talk to your doctor.
Is 100% Juice the Same as Fruit?
While 100% Juice is made from fruit, it is not considered to be the same thing as fresh fruit. 100% Juice often contains added sugar and other preservatives that can negatively impact your health. This type of juice also tends to have a higher level of fructose which may contribute to weight gain and insulin resistance. In addition,100% Juices are high in calories and aren’t particularly filling or nutritious.
If you’re looking for a healthy drink alternative that still includes beneficial nutrients from fruits, then opting for unsweetened Fruit beverages might be a better choice. These drinks are typically lower in sugar and contain fewer calories than regular juices do.
