Appearance isn’t everything and this goes for apple juice too! Just because it may be ‘prettier’ doesn’t mean it’s better for you.
Let’s look at the facts.
Apple juice is obviously made from apples. That’s a no-brainer. But the important thing is how it is produced that makes the difference in its health benefits.
Apples are packed with antioxidants and vitamin C. The trick is to use a process in juicing that preserves these nutritional benefits.
Apple juice comes from the crushing or pressing of apples. It is then filtered to remove pectin and other solids. Once this is done, it is usually pasteurized. While this might make the juice look more appealing, it actually greatly diminishes the value of its health benefits.
Cloudy or unclarified apple juice contains up to four times more polyphenols than its clear competitor. What are polyphenols you may ask? Polyphenols are a particular type of antioxidant that comes from certain foods.
If you haven’t been living in a cave, you probably know that antioxidants are important in our diet, significantly helping to reduce the risks of heart disease and cancer. This begs the question, if they are so wonderful, why are they removed when apple juice is processed?
Here’s something else you may not be aware of. Apple juice, the cloudy kind, can help if you suffer from constipation! If you suffer from constipation, drink at least 3-4 glasses of cloudy apple juice daily for a few days until the problem goes away.
If you think it’s stubborn and you’ve been constipated for several days, try mixing it with prune juice. So wait. It would be a good idea to do this when you are at home and not in the office! If you don’t like prune juice, try pear juice. You only need to drink this twice a day to get results.
When you go to the store to buy apple juice, remember that prettier doesn’t necessarily mean healthier. It is true that when the juice is filtered it has a longer shelf life, which is a fact that can be attractive to the consumer, but if good health is your goal, then consider using cloudy to get the best benefits of apple juice. .
Some of the most valuable nutrients and phytonutrients are lost through processing. The less food is handled, the better for you.