Juicing Kale?

[RawBurger]

So im told if you want to get all the health benefits of Kale, you should use a blender. Not a juicer.

Don't you lose out on some of the nutrients of foods like Kale when you juice?

I guess is more of a broad juicing question...

Why do we assume that the *Liquid* in the vegetable has all the nutrients?

Don't you lose out on a LOT of the health benefits by (basically) squeezing the liquid out of something?

I realize there are a lot of undigestable portions of plants. But aren't there also a ton of digestible portions that would not make it into the liquid kicked out by a juicer?

My understanding is you have to eat Kale "whole" to get the benefits. Not "squeeze (or shred) the juice out of it" ...

Thoughts?

[zombiefan]

I could be wrong, but the only thing you'll be missing by juicing the kale, rather than eating it, would be the fiber (and the small amount of nutrients the juicer fails to extract). Certainly, it is always better to consume the actual vegetable rather than just the juice, but I don't think you'll be missing anything. Just be sure to drink any juiced kale within 24 hours as it is cruciferous vegetable.

[Revvell]

So im told if you want to get all the health benefits of Kale, you should use a blender. Not a juicer.

Don't believe everything you're told.

Don't you lose out on some of the nutrients of foods like Kale when you juice?

Sure! And when you blend it and when you eat it if your digestive system isn't working correctly.

Why do we assume that the *Liquid* in the vegetable has all the nutrients?

"We?" Who is "we" and why do you assume "we" assume that? You mean "you", right? So, why do you?

Don't you lose out on a LOT of the health benefits by (basically) squeezing the liquid out of something?

I dunno. Quite a few folk have been healed of some very serious diseases and illnesses by drinking fresh, raw juice.

I realize there are a lot of undigestable portions of plants. But aren't there also a ton of digestible portions that would not make it into the liquid kicked out by a juicer?

A ton? Uhhh, probably not.

Thoughts?

Or... programming.

[Revvell]

... as it is cruciferous vegetable.

Which means what?

[MysticTree]

Which means what?

I think it derives from the four petaled flowers which reference the cross. It's just another name for the brassica family really - nothing special!

[Revvell]

I think it derives from the four petaled flowers which reference the cross. It's just another name for the brassica family really - nothing special!

I know what cruciferous means. Just wondering why one "needs" to drink it w/in 24 hours. Where's that time-frame come from?

[MysticTree]

Just wondering why one "needs" to drink it w/in 24 hours. Where's that time-frame come from?

Personal taste probably. I wouldn't fancy kale juice after even half that length of time. Even if it had been fridged the entire time.

[Revvell]

Personal taste probably. I wouldn't fancy kale juice after even half that length of time. Even if it had been fridged the entire time.

My thoughts exactly. Just wondering where folk get their information.

[MysticTree]

My thoughts exactly. Just wondering where folk get their information.

From those who they asked the question of I suppose - or experience maybe. It's like not eating before you go swimming or you'll get cramps and drown. This was the absolute, God's truth, unquestioned statement when I was growing up. Now there has been research that debunks it. Is the research wrong or the generations of passers down of information? Who knows!

[jevans]

So im told if you want to get all the health benefits of Kale, you should use a blender. Not a juicer.

Don't you lose out on some of the nutrients of foods like Kale when you juice?

I guess is more of a broad juicing question...

Why do we assume that the *Liquid* in the vegetable has all the nutrients?

Don't you lose out on a LOT of the health benefits by (basically) squeezing the liquid out of something?

I realize there are a lot of undigestable portions of plants. But aren't there also a ton of digestible portions that would not make it into the liquid kicked out by a juicer?

My understanding is you have to eat Kale "whole" to get the benefits. Not "squeeze (or shred) the juice out of it" ...

Thoughts?

I see that this is your first post and maybe new to the whole juicing thing. I am by no means an "expert" on this subject as I have only been juicing for about a year. BUT, I have read as much information as I can get my hands on.
Juice in general, not just kale, allows your body to assimilate the juice much faster than eating the produce. When you eat produce, it takes a long time for your body to break it down and even then some of the nutrients get passed. Juice is nutrient dense and hits your system very quickly. No breakdown needed. Plus when you juice you may be juicing 3-6 kale leaves, and other produce etc. I doubt you would eat that much produce. So juicing allows you to get a lot more nutrients since you are breaking down a lot of produce. A lot more than you would eat.

As far as the nutrients in eating it whole. I do agree with the fact that you are not getting the fiber that eating would give but what I do is make smoothies for the fiber. This breaks everything down and you drink the raw material and all.

My advice is for you to read as much as you can find. This website is great for information. There are many great books also. Good luck.

[awesomefunn]

When you eat produce, it takes a long time for your body to break it down and even then some of the nutrients get passed. Juice is nutrient dense and hits your system very quickly. No breakdown needed. Plus when you juice you may be juicing 3-6 kale leaves, and other produce etc. I doubt you would eat that much produce.

I have just started to juice with my boss at work and this is the answer that I keep having to tell people. I would not eat Kale, I hate cucumber. I would not get ANY of the benefits of these foods without juicing. If eating piles of veggies is what you like then go for it. If you want to introduce healthy foods that maybe you wouldn't find palatable if you had to chew them then juice some of them up with grapes or apples to mask the flavor.