Do centrifugal juicers destroy enzymes? NO THEY DO NOT!!

[barefootjuicer]

This is a popular misconception yet there is absolutely no scientific evidence to prove this claim. There is however scientific evidence that the juice from a centrifugal juicer has good enzyme activity in research published by Michael Donaldson PhD. Claims are made that the high speeds of centrifugal juicers destroy enzymes with the heat caused by friction.

Firstly, heat caused by friction depends on a lot more than just speed and secondly to destroy the enzymes in juice it would have to be heated well above blood temperature. No juicer produces juice that has been heated to this level.

The juice from a centrifugal juicer may be slightly less abundant in nutrients than that from a masticating juicer but it is still excellent quality, so don't be scared into spending a lot of money by this piece of pseudo-science. A great example of an easy to use centrifugal whole fruit juicer is the L'Equip XL Juicer. Machines like this can take apples whole and are very convenient in a busy home – and they DON’T destroy enzymes.

http://ukjuicers.hubpages.com/hub/Myths-about-Juicers

[Arky]

Nice sentiment, on the one hand, but on the other, I wasn't aware that those who frown upon centrifugal juicers are concerned only about enzyme levels -

how about the potential for greater introduction of damaging oxygen to the juice during the centrifugal juicing process?

How about centrifugal juicers being unsuitable for juicing leafy greens (arguably the most nutritious raw material for juicing)?

[streetsurfer]

Oh never mind. I've tried to present the truth before too, and people don't want to believe it.

[Aleesha Sattva]

I think that what is interesting here is that in this article (if I can call it that) it doesn't give any scientific studies or tests LOL So it's just another "if it's on the internet it must be true" statements.

Bottom line: make juice in a centrifugal, then make it in a champion, and then in a greenstar. Taste all three... tell me which one is the most beautiful juice (clarity) and which one tastes the cleanest and freshest.

It's the greenstar. I've done this.

Centrifugal juicers make juice... but compared to the auger, twin gear, and/or masticating juicers they really just make juice flavoured liquid. LOL (kinda like the difference between koolaid and real juice)

[Shine]

Centrifugal juicers make juice... but compared to the auger, twin gear, and/or masticating juicers they really just make juice flavoured liquid. LOL (kinda like the difference between koolaid and real juice)

I am in complete agreement!! :) I used to use a cheepo centrifugal to juice as that's what I had. It was great as it's all I knew. Then I spent some time fasting and stepped up to the Champion. At first the juice seemed strange because it was thicker and had more pulp - it was just better juice :) This weekend I went and bought an Omega Vert (like a Greenstar from what I can tell) and HOLY CATFISH BATMAN - the juice is incredible!!!!

To each his/her own juicer and juice for his/her own reasons. Juicing is amazing!

[snoops]

Totally what Shine and Aleesha said. My Omega was in the shop and I bought a centrifuge one to get through. The juice did not even remotely taste as good. I gave it away and waited to get my Omega back.

[dmb2002man]

I use to own a breville juicer ($250) and used it daily for 6 months until i starting learning more about raw! Then i purchased a vitamix and couldn't be more happier. I also own a manual juicer for my wheatgrass. I will never go back to a centrifugal juicer.

[Traceyraw]

I don't have much time. I also have a Breville and love it. I am getting nutritious food into my body. It works well for me I don't have time to chop things into tiny pieces. I get wonderful green juices everytime. I don't want newbies to be discouraged from juicing since centrifugal is all they can afford. Centrifugals works great...... Enjoy your juice however you make it.

[MysticTree]

I don't have much time. I also have a Breville and love it. I am getting nutritious food into my body. It works well for me I don't have time to chop things into tiny pieces. I get wonderful green juices everytime. I don't want newbies to be discouraged from juicing since centrifugal is all they can afford. Centrifugals works great...... Enjoy your juice however you make it.

I agree you make the best of what you have. All is good.

[Dirkg]

I think everyone understands the more expensive machines make better juice. The point I think was trying to be made is the disadvantage of a centrifugal juicer aren't as great as is made out - it does produce more froth, a little more heat maybe, but really how much of the nutrition is being destroyed? Juice gets oxygenated the moment it's exposed to air, so what's the big deal?

The advantages are not so much from how much you spend but the change in eating habits, quality of produce, and lifestyle.

[MysticTree]

the best juice I have made so far is with my wine press. It makes the best juice and the least mess :)

[Aleesha Sattva]

Bottom line... when you use a masticating juicer you use way less produce and so the machine very quickly pays for itself. The juice tastes better, lasts longer (and if you are fasting and want to make juice in the morning to take to work that's a very important factor) and so a good quality juicer can be worth it's weight in gold!

If you are juicing once a week to make a nice juice with Sunday breakfast... that's entirely different.

I always find it interesting that often people make statements about juicing (in particular) and don't have any real experience behind their claims. Have they even used different types of juicers? Have they tasted the difference?

Why put some beautiful organic greens into a juicer only to find it shredded in chunks in the pulp tray? I prefer to spend money on that produce and then get as much juice out of it as possible and with my Greenstar and Champion, I do. (moreso with the Greenstar) - Pulp is dry and very very very broken down.

[MysticTree]

My wine press method is similar to a masticating method. It makes better juice than my hand crank masticating one. I'm sure a green star or similar would be really good but no electricity makes it tricky at home. The next question will be whether to buy a masticating one to use at work.

[blissrunner]

I use a centrifugal juicer and I've heard the claims that it kills enzymes and that may or may not be true to a degree, I don't know. But, I do know that in the year and half that I've been juicing regularly with mine, it has cleared up my acne, makes my skin glow like crazy whether I'm eating a raw diet or not and gives me a boost of energy in the morning that lasts all day that's 10x more powerful then strong coffee so it can't be all that bad in my humble opinion.

My mom owns the $2,500 norwalk juicer which is supposed to be one of the best ones out there and I personally notice no difference in the taste between the juice from that juicer and my jack lalanne. In fact, my mom prefers just using her jack lalanne too. There may be some drawbacks to a centrifugal, but I don't think they're as pronounced as some claim. Plus, a centrifugal is all many people can afford I know I'm way better off juicing with one over not juicing at all because it's the only juicer I had.

I will agree that it's not the best for leafy greens (yield-wise) and it may not create juice that's as nutrient dense as other juicers can, but I still believe it derives very beneficial juice because the benefits of juicing are still there. I'm no expert of course, but I personally wouldn't be surprised if this article is accurate.

[Aleesha Sattva]

You both notice no difference in the taste?

Then a norwalk must not be all that it *sarcastic tones* cause I can taste the difference between a cheapo Jack and a Champion. I can taste the difference between my Champion and my Greenstar...

We all know that juicing is good for you, that's not the question. If all you have is a centrifugal then yes it's better than not having any juice but to say it's equal.... That's like saying McD is equal to Alissa's *insert any recipe here* LOL

[MysticTree]

You are longer raw and something of a high juice consumption person Aleesha. Those less raw and not juicing all the time might easily not notice the taste difference. I notice the difference between my centrifugal compared to my wine press. It goes off quicker too

[Aleesha Sattva]

very true. I'd love to come over one day and have juice from your wine press. Something feels so sophisticated about that!

[MysticTree]

Any time you are passing just stop by :)

[Aleesha Sattva]

i shall!!! after all i live in british columbia, canada... that should make it closer to visit LOL

[Arky]

Bottom line... when you use a masticating juicer you use way less produce and so the machine very quickly pays for itself. The juice tastes better, lasts longer (and if you are fasting and want to make juice in the morning to take to work that's a very important factor) and so a good quality juicer can be worth it's weight in gold!

If you are juicing once a week to make a nice juice with Sunday breakfast... that's entirely different.

I always find it interesting that often people make statements about juicing (in particular) and don't have any real experience behind their claims. Have they even used different types of juicers? Have they tasted the difference?

Why put some beautiful organic greens into a juicer only to find it shredded in chunks in the pulp tray? I prefer to spend money on that produce and then get as much juice out of it as possible and with my Greenstar and Champion, I do. (moreso with the Greenstar) - Pulp is dry and very very very broken down.


Very well said, Aleesha; I agree wholeheartedly.

[blissrunner]

That's like saying McD is equal to Alissa's *insert any recipe here* LOL

McD's is pretty damn good for breakfast...just sayin' LOL

[namllets]

I would love to know for sure. I'd like to see if there have been scientific studies that show the enzyme count after a certain amount of time from both styles of juicers. But hey, enzymes and nutrients start dying as soon as the food is picked anyway right? ;)

[MysticTree]

McD's is pretty damn good for breakfast...just sayin' LOL euwgh! It's not even food!

[marflo]

I don't wish to give any advice or to cut ones experience; I can only talk from my experience. I have been using lately a juicer called Jack Lalame. I did buy it that I got a good price, usually is 200 but I got it for much less.
But what i wish to share to forum is a fact- in the past 2 years i did several fasting only with fresh squeezed juices and i felt better, i improved or i eased a lot my health problem, but still i considered that was not suficient i wanted more, so last time i combined the juices with raw food servings only. This time the results were amazing, my 29 old pains in my leg were gone, i had 29 years ago a tromboflebitis with heavy pains, now no pains at all, before i was not able to touch even gently that area, and more my back pains gone too. So i think that there is some true in the opinion that centrifugal juicing might not get all from the vegetables and fruits used. Gerson therapy said that high spinning centrifugal juicers are not so effective because the centrifugal spinning destrys some enzymes because of an electrical field that is developed during the processs and that kills a good part from enzymes. So that was why i mixed juices from centrifugal juicers with raw food and it seems that the theory is right. Btw i will keep using every since and awhile my method but if i will get a fatal desease i will use then a mechanical press for juicing. Good luck!

[Dirkg]

I don't own any juicers, just wanted to get that clear.

I think its unfair to ask people to try out each kind of juicer to decide for themselves, its not possible. Even if I could buy, try and return, that's a huge hassle and costs the company money.

I am curious now about difference in taste. IMO the only way to test this would be make juice from the 2 machines, and then do a blind tasting. Maybe also filter both juices or let them settle because centrifugal will produce more foam and is easy to detect. Has anyone done a test like this on youtube, it should be easy to see if the juice is different in color. There is a well known bias in comparing anything and the only way to eliminate it is blind testing. Our sense of taste is also very much affected by appearance (hence elegant looking plates at nice restaurants) so that's another factor.

[Aleesha Sattva]

since i own two juicers (champion and greenstar) i have done taste testing with it. the greenstar gives a much richer, fuller taste than the champion.

i've had many clients who have centrifugal juicers. they come here for their coaching, i make them juice from my juicers and they squeal with delight at the flavour. they can't believe how much yummier it is.

that's what i go by. real life experience.

[Dirkg]

since i own two juicers (champion and greenstar) i have done taste testing with it. the greenstar gives a much richer, fuller taste than the champion. i've had many clients who have centrifugal juicers. they come here for their coaching, i make them juice from my juicers and they squeal with delight at the flavour. they can't believe how much yummier it is. that's what i go by. real life experience.Thanks. How would you compare juice made in a vitamix to above? I.e. make smoothie and then filter it in a it milk bag.

[Aleesha Sattva]

I never do that... sorry.

[Arky]

I've tried that in the past, with kale smoothie, and the resulting juice was 'seperated', oxidised and 'lifeless' by comparison with the juice from my Oscar 900. It also tasted weaker and oxidised.

[MysticTree]

There is no doubt that juices taste different depending on how they have been made and their keeping qualities are different too. My wine press makes the best juice as far as I am concerned. My manual juicer is great for wheatgrass but it doesn't do fruit well. My centrifugal juicer is quick but doesn't taste as nice. The wine press produces perfect smooth, clear juice with the texture of water but I have to grate everything first so it's a slow process. At work I use the centrifugal - I don't have time to use the wine press and it's bulky. If I want wheat grass juice I use the manual juicer and on a lazy weekend day I treat myself to the perfection that comes out of the wine press. I don't have access to an electric masticating juicer so for me, cold pressed is the best I can get and who knows, maybe it's as good as a masticating juicer. I don't know!