5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Grab the Green Juice:

Few things have dominated the health and wellness industry for the past decade like juicing, specifically green juice. Celebrities, social media influencers, and bloggers have all hopped on board and promoted it. While many have boasted the health benefits of juicing, there are downsides to be aware of. Here are the 5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Grab the Green Juice:

1. Raises blood sugar

At the end of the day, green juice is still juice and contains high levels of sugar. The outer covering on fruit provides fibrous balance to the high sugar content within. Juicing takes away that fiber barrier leaving just the sugar. This can cause an unwanted spike in sugar levels, and as a result, a person crashes. If you’re diabetic or prediabitic, this can be especially dangerous.

Be even more mindful of store bought green juices as these often come packed with added sugars. You’ll want to double check the label. Consumer Report found that the Naked Juice Green Machine advertises “zero added sugar”, but in reality, according to the label, there are 53 grams of sugars—and 270 calories—in one 15-ounce bottle.This is more than in a 15-ounce Coca Cola.

 

2. Harmful to kidneys

Many green juices contain a highly concentrated form of oxalate, which is an antinutrient since it binds to minerals in food and stops the digestive tract from absorbing them. Eaten in moderation this is not an issue. However, if oxalate is consumed in excess, it can cause kidney stones or even kidney failure. In fact, recent studies of acute kidney failure have been attributed to excess oxalate intake from green juices.

If you are prone to kidney stones or at risk for kidney disease, you need to be particularly cautious with green juices.

 

3. Low in fiber

Fruits and vegetables are full of healthy nutrients like fiber, but when they are juiced, they lose the majority of their fiber content. According to the American Heart Association, adults need on average 25 grams of fiber a day. Given that fiber is vital to a healthy diet, juicing cannot be used as a substitute for a person’s daily fruit and veggie in-take.

A diet lacking in fiber can lead to temporary issues such as constipation, but it can also lead to long-term problems with an individual’s heart function.

4. Missing out on energy-sustaining protein

Like a lack of fiber, green juice drinks are not a sufficient source of protein. As a macronutrient, protein preserves and builds lean body mass. This helps to maintain energy levels, keeping an individual healthy. In general, fruit and vegetables are not an excellent source of protein which is why juice cleanses can cause people to be tired and worn down.

If you drink green juice, you need to pair it with protein rich food to balance the high sugar intake such as eggs, milk, beans, and white meat poultry.

5. Undernourishment

People often turn to green juices after a workout as a meal replacement, however, this can lead to undernourishment. When it comes down to it, a juice is not a balanced meal. A healthy, balanced meal consists of whole foods with carbohydrates, protein, and fat. A green juice can’t deliver the necessary protein and fat to sustain a person or stabilize their blood sugar. In the end, using green juice as part of a cleanse or as a meal substitute, can leave a person feeling worn down, exhausted, and irritable.

At the end of the day, the green juice fad is just that–a fad. You should be cautious before picking up a sugary juice, and instead look at drinking water with a well-balanced meal.

To learn more about the importance of what you eat, check out our blog “How to Use Nutrition to Improve Your Health and Increase Longevity.”