Cold-pressed juice and its 5 benefits you need to know

Whether you’re on a detox routine or a gym freak who is looking for antioxidants or seeking beverage options other than coffee, chances are you must have heard about “cold-pressed juice”. The trend of cold-pressed juice has quite caught the attention of health-conscious people who like to get the power-packed benefits of all the nutrients and vitamins quickly and at once.

But, what does the term “cold-pressed juice” mean precisely?

Cold pressed juices are extracted using the same principle as the hand-crank citrus juicers do, however, a small but important point of distinction which makes it different from the regular juices is that, these juices are produced under hydraulic pressure to separate the juice from the pulp.

The upsides – As cold-pressed juices are usually extracted without using any heat, they are served fresh, and they are packed with more of a fruit’s or vegetable’s vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, they don’t have any artificial sweetener added to them and because they are freshly squeezed they have a wider array of nutrients per ounce than a single piece of fruit.

The downsides – Juices have a lesser fibre content than whole fruit or vegetable does. Fruit juices are more likely to have a higher glycemic index i.e. a measure of how a food raises blood-sugar levels – than whole fruit. Also, studies have shown that drinking isn’t as satiating as eating whole food. Studies have also shown that people often add juices to their diets rather than substituting them for other foods, thus adding more to their calorie consumption.

Cold-pressed juices are made with a hydraulic press to extract the maximum amount of liquid from fresh fruits and vegetables using thousands of pounds of pressure. This means, when the fruits and vegetables are juiced, no additional heat or oxygen is used i.e. no nutrients are lost like in the heat of traditional pasteurization juicing.

So, how long does cold-pressed juice last?

The raw form of cold-pressed juice only has a shelf life of three to four days post which microbes start forming. To ensure this doesn’t happen, most of the cold-pressed juices available in the market are pasteurised under the method known as High-Pressure Processing (HPP). Already bottled juices are submerged in cold water under high pressure in HPP to kill the pathogens by increasing the shelf life from three to five days to a span of 30 to 45 days.

Cold-pressed juices are quite refreshing and enriched with essential vitamins and minerals, and you can freely include them in your daily routine without missing out on any goodness of fruits and vegetables. These juices are just your perfect grab-and-go partner.

How are cold-pressed juices made?

We are well-acquainted with the taste and process of hand-made juices traditionally followed by our mothers or grandmothers and how the first sip of the juice tasted. But how can a cup of cold-pressed juice steal the thunder of the traditionally squeezed juice? As cold-pressed juices differ in the way of their extraction they serve a totally distinct vibe and flavour.

Cold-pressed juices are extracted from the fruits and veggies that are made with a special juicer that produces juices using a hydraulic press and slow pulverizer. These juicers are different, unlike the ones we commonly come across in our kitchen i.e. the centrifugal juicer.

As freshly pressed juices (regular juices) are made with a centrifugal juicer that uses an ultra-fast-spinning blade to extract the juice, it is exposed to external heating and as a result, this heat ends up breaking down the important enzymes in the fruits and vegetables, altering the major health benefits of the juices.

Further, the rapid spinning also allows air into the mix, thus oxidising the juice, which consequently breaks down its other essential nutrients. And thus, even if the juice is just “freshly” extracted, with all the pulp and thickness it loses its essential values and is not nearly as nutritionally potent as cold-pressed juice.

On the contrary, even when the cold-pressed juice lacks the fibre-filled flesh and pulp, the content allows your body to absorb all the nutrients even at a faster rate than consuming them in a solid form. Even better if you have your cold-pressed juice on an empty stomach, as added in a “clean slate” in your body, it will augment the results by immediately processing the nutrients.

Thus, as no heat is involved in the process, you can enjoy and retain the maximum benefits of cold-pressed juices with 100% vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and nutrients.

Cold-pressed juice vs fresh juice: Should you switch your regular juices to cold-pressed juice?

There are countless ways in which cold-pressed juice benefits your body. Whether you are a hardcore fitness junkie, on your detox journey, a diehard vegan, a proud carnivore, a fan of juices and beverages, or a chill couch potato, cold-pressed juice is all you need to add to your life to improve your overall health. And, why not? Cold-pressed juices are known for their ways to assist you in detoxifying your body.

Every single day, our body struggles to adapt to the changes surrounding us and gets subjected to environmental toxins or because of such consumption at our own will such as cigarettes, junk food and alcohol it pleads for help. Our body organs have to fight quite a battle every day to stay on top of the detoxification process and get exhausted in the process.

Our kidneys, liver, and skin are the three main organs in our body that are responsible for cleaning and detoxifying the entire system. When these organs are overworked because of anxiety, late night snacking and drinking, staying up late, being exposed to more rays from the sun and mobile, they eventually get stressed and overwhelmed

And unlike the regular beverages and normal-pressed juice that we consume to escape the monotony, cold-pressed juices truly help to ease the strain of detoxification on our body.

Fresh cold-pressed act promptly the minute they enter your body. Filled with all the essential nutrients, these juices are geared toward fighting toxins and boosting immunity and health. Though these juices lack the fibrous pulp of whole fruits and vegetables, they are potent enough and have instantaneous results because the body doesn’t have to break the fibre down in the digestive system.

You can take a pleasing sip of cold-pressed juice when you immediately want to feel a kick of energy. Or you can also have it before going for a HIT training, cardio or weightlifting session to give yourself an instant energy boost for your workout without leaving you hungry in the process.

What should you look for in a cold-pressed juice?

Not all cold-pressed juices are created equally. They all have different values and different nutrient benefits, and in their own different ways, they enrich the body. So, before buying one or adding one to your diet, make sure you read the label and ingredients mentioned in the bottle correctly. You have to ensure that what you are consuming and your body is getting sufficient healthy nutrients. Sure enough, you don’t want ingredients like sugar sneaking into your system just because the label says it's “all-natural” or “organic” doesn’t necessarily mean that they are good for your body.

Read labels on the bottle as well as do your research so that you know what you’re consuming and whether you’re providing your body with the best quality or not.

Pay close attention to the ingredients listed on the back of the bottle, check whether each ingredient is made from only whole foods like fruit or vegetable, and look out for scientific-looking unpronounceable names, in case you come across any, and check the properties right away. Make sure you don’t have juices which have added sugar in them, at times, these sugars are disguised as sucrose and fructose, so be careful while making your pick. In case you aren’t certain about any particular product, it’s better to stay at a bay’s length from it.

Also, don’t miss out on the facts mentioned on the back of the bottle, read the calorie count and the serving size. In case the bottle is meant for two servings then it definitely has more calories than you anticipated.

Well, the explanation for this is, as cold-pressed juices are nutritionally dense, they contain a higher calorie count. It is also because it takes a lot of products just to make eight ounces of juice, so certainly there would be more calories present than a single piece of fruit. However, this particular doesn’t mean that you should abstain, simply just be cautious of the amount you are consuming and just because it’s healthy don’t go overboard.

Check the shelf-life of the juice as the shelf life of cold-pressed juices tends to have a small span of 72 hours and usually doesn’t contain preservatives. So, make sure to consume them while they are still fresh.

Can I drink cold-pressed juice as a method of cleansing?

If you are about to cleanse and reset your body, drinking cold-pressed juice is a great way to start the process. In other words, drinking cold-pressed juice to cleanse is a great way to help your body in the process of detoxification. Higher water or liquid intake makes it easier for your other organs to release the build-up of toxins in your system and gives your digestive system a much-needed rest.

All of the junk, processed food, drinks, refined sugars, carbs and environmental pollutants which our body comes into contact with every day, these juices serve as an exceptional way to cleanse our body, heal and start all over again. Not only it leaves you more energetic, but you’ll also have fewer cravings, less bloating, and leave you with clear glowing skin.

Since your body doesn’t have to work extra to detox itself, you’ll have stored energy to devote to other things feeling much lighter. And if you combine it with yoga classes you’ll feel much more satisfied.

Okay, so now that you know that is 100% effective, let’s see what the pros and cons of cold-pressed juices are –

High in vitamins and nutrients –

Cold-pressed juices are full of healthy vitamins that your body needs to function throughout the day. As these juices are 100% natural they have their own unique health benefits. These juices add rich nutrients to your body which are needed to detoxify your system. These juices are also a simple and guaranteed way to increase your vitamin source and other vital essentials of your body.

Promote weight loss –

Staying hydrated is the smartest way and most effective way to lose weight. Being low in calories, most juices have enough vegetables and fruits that make you feel naturally full and reduce your hunger pangs to make your body feel great. So, juices are a great way to increase your intake of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals without adding any extra weight.

Aid better way of protecting and preserving nutrients –

Extreme exposure to unhealthy and toxic ingredients deprives the body of its vital nutrients. Consuming freshly pressed juices due to the combination of excessive heat and force oxidation doesn’t serve the required purpose. Cold-pressed juices on the contrary are produced and compressed with a hydraulic press making it the best way to keep 100% of the good vitamins and nutrients while keeping that great taste intact.

Rich in enzymes –

Cold-pressed juices have naturally occurring enzymes and these enzymes get absorbed into your body in the same way as vitamins are. These enzymes play an important role in fortifying your body and aiding the process of digestion. These enzymes play an important role in digesting food, stimulating the brain, providing cellular energy, and repairing and rejuvenating all tissue.

May reduce the process of ageing –

Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, and when you don’t eat them, you miss out on this major component of wellness. Antioxidants are the powerhouse to help your body prevent oxidation which is crucial to contribute to cellular functional impairment. Studies have shown that antioxidants play a great role in fighting cancer, diabetes, heart disease and many more. And so you might not lose the opportunity of grabbing the goodness of these antioxidants to get that young appearance and youthful glow on your skin.

Cons –

Well, we have barely come across any till now. However, as compared to raw vegetables and fruits and the fresh juices, as extracted with a hydraulic press, these are quite expensive.

And here’s a section of “best cold-pressed juice” that you can add to your daily diet –

1.      Cucumber – Consisting of 96% of water and low in calories, cucumbers make for a great base juice. Rich in potassium, manganese, and vitamin K, cucumber not only helps you stay hydrated for a long but is also a key to healthy kidneys and weight management. They also help reduce skin inflammation, so you can just grab a bottle of cucumber after a heavy sweating session.

2.      Kale – Packed with all the goodness this versatile leafy green pairs well with almost any fruit or veggie. With a flavour that is mild enough, it is a great source of vitamins A, C, and K. Kale in its raw form is especially high in antioxidants and a great source to combat the dreaded signs of ageing. Kale also has the magical ability to neutralise pesky free radicals and it has also been linked to lowering LDL cholesterol i.e. the bad cholesterol.

3.      Wheatgrass – Rich in the highest amount of iron, magnesium, copper, and other prime 17 amino acids, wheatgrass is incredibly high in nutrient density. Besides, it is also rich in chlorophyll and stores anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

4.      Beets – With a subtle earthy flavour, beets add vibrant colour to your juice. Beets are also a potent source of manganese, potassium, folate, and nitrates making them highly favourable from a nutritional standpoint. From the veggie to its leafy greens, nothing of these super veggies goes to waste, being high in rich plant compounds beets have been associated with and proven to improve blood pressure and enhance mental performance.

5.      Cranberries – Raw cranberries are extremely tart and because of their overpowering taste, it is often mixed with other fruits to make the taste of cranberry cold-pressed juice palatable. As sour as they are, they are also powerful and abundant in antioxidants. Cold-pressed cranberry juice also lowers LDL cholesterol and helps fight off urinary tract infections (UTI infections).

6.      Blueberries – Following the list of super-berries is another berry i.e. blueberry. Blueberries are full of powerful antioxidants and B vitamins and as well contain antioxidants that protect against ageing. These berries also have anti-cancer properties and are proven to help elevate mood. These small berries have everything you need in one small package. However, a great quantity of berries is required to produce one bottle of juice so they are usually combined with other fruits to make it a health booster.

7.      Oranges – Another great option you can grab is a bottle of orange cold-pressed juice. This tropical fruit is widely loved and known for its high vitamin C content – the immune booster. Oranges are best when consumed fresh, so make sure you consume them before getting bitter.

Besides these options, you can also try celery, broccoli, parsley, ginger, cabbage, lemon, carrots, tomatoes, apples, grapes, pineapple, pomegranates, watermelons, strawberries, etc.

In a nutshell let it be fruits, roots, berries, veggies, greens and herbs, you can consume all of them without losing any of the benefits.