centrifugal juicers. Does the heat they produce destroy the nutrients in the food?

[QUAKER]

In my experience, centrifugal juicers have worked very well. The carrot and cucumber juices I drink daily have really cleansed my skin and have also helped out my digestive system an awful lot.

But a book im reading mentions the fact that the heat produced when a centrifugal juicer gets to work can either kill or harm the nutrients we need.

Can anyone point me to perhaps a test or experiment in which that theory was explored? I guess im just curious and, even if centrifugal juicers killed ‘part’ of the nutrients in a food, clearly enough survive so as to be able to have a beneficial effect on me and my health

[twinee1]

I have the Breville 900 which I really like and I have not noticed any "heating" in fact the juice is the temp of the veggies I put in it so based on that they are not heated in the juicer.

I like the Breville becasuse it does not create a Perfect Juice on most veggies...it retains some pulp (or at least min does)..if I wanted a pulp free juice I would have to run it through a sieve.

[QUAKER]

i have a moulinex something-something, and the juice it priduces IS cool..but the juicer itself does get a little warm, which suggests that it gets a little hot in there with the motor working as it does.

it probably doesnt do any harm at all. i was just curious :cool:

[dhammala]

I have heard about this too.. they say it is due to all the friction, just like in your blender. A masticating juicer -- one with a screw inside vs a fast spinning grate -- is the only way to prevent this. Masticating juicers, IMHO, are no good at soft fruits like apples, but great on celery and carrots (and wheatgrass!!)

[DavidZaneMason]

My opinion:

It's easy enough to test. Just stick your finger down into your fresh juice. If it's uncomfortably warm right out of the juicer...then the heat is too high. If the heat in no greater than luke-warm tapwater...then heat is not destroying your nutrients.

-If I'm not mistaken...it takes temperatures up over 110 F to start denaturing protein and vitamins. It the juice is comfortable to YOUR touch...it should be comfortable for the vitamins, nutrients, & microorganisms.

-Keep in mind that process of juicing WILL introduce oxygen...and burst cell walls.......setting the juice up for speedy oxidation & spoilage. The answer? Drink right away! :)

-David Mason