7 replies to this topic

[SeekingSerenity]

Especially if you use a high-powered blender, such as the Vitamix or Blendtec?


Please explain your answer.

[beatsme]

Some loss of nutrients would be caused by heat and oxidation.

Edited by postscarce, 02 April 2014 - 01:15 AM.

[niner]

Heat probably isn't much of a problem- I've never noticed any perceptible warmth from blending a smoothie. Oxidation, on the other hand, is probably the biggest problem. If an oxygen sensitive compound were locked up inside the cellular structure of a fruit or vegetable, and the cell got lysed in the blending process, then maybe there would be more oxidation than if you just ate the solid food. Realistically, though, I don't see this as a big problem. I'd try to keep the amount of blending sensible- don't set it on 17,000 rpm and go watch a couple episodes on Breaking Bad on Netflix...

Edited by niner, 02 April 2014 - 01:39 AM.

[mustardseed41]

I don't think it destroys the nutrients. It enhances the nutrients. Anyone on the fence about purchasing a Nutribullet should get one. I've had mine for a few weeks now and love it. Beats the hell out of my regular blender. Really extracts the veggies/fruits etc. much better. Just like the Vitamix or Blentec that cost 5 times as much. Of course those can do more but all I really want is a good smoothie. Love the small footprint it has also. Today I made a spinach, lemon, frozen mixed berries, cocoa powder, whey protein, and almond milk smoothie. Without the clumps and clogging of my old blender. Yum

Edited by mustardseed41, 02 April 2014 - 01:58 AM.

[niner]

I don't think it destroys the nutrients. It enhances the nutrients.

I've heard this... the idea was that if you didn't thoroughly shred the food, some of the nutrients might remain locked up inside whatever compartments they're in, and pass right through you. I don't know if that's true or not, but it seems plausible.

ps mustard, your smoothie sounds yumalicious!

[SeekingSerenity]

I wish there was an official scientific study done on this

[matter_of_time]

Blending increases the amount of nutrients absorbed by your body. I am pretty sure about this.

[hyper_ventriloquism]

I wish there was an official scientific study done on this

 

I too wish there was solid research done on this.  

 

I make a smoothie every day for my son and I.  We make ~ 2 liters at a time and drink half of it in the morning and half in the evening.  It contains fats, protein, fruits, vegies, turmeric, ect.  I notice that the taste of the smoothie changes over the course of the day.  Say, at first it will taste pretty pungent depending on the amount of fruit and turmeric I add.  A few hours later the smoothie is sweeter.  Twelve hours after it was blended, it tastes noticeably more bitter than when it was super fresh.  I know there are chemical reactions obviously happening in the smoothie and I'm considering making half as much twice per day to avoid it sitting in the fridge and reacting.  I use a Vitamix, so it's a quick process to blend it up, and half of the ingredients are frozen, so heat's not a big issue for me.

 

 

Some thoughts...  Obviously, certain ingredients I use contain iron, and some contain vitamin C.  The iron is likely being oxidized by the vit. C, right?  Also, is there a risk that the vitamin C and the fats will form nitrosamine, or does that just take place in the gut?  I know the turmeric may reduce the likelihood of either of those negative consequences, but still I wonder.

 

Obviously, chemical reactions are happening because the taste changes quite a bit.  Hell, maybe the changes are for the good for all I know.  I do wish there was some respectable research done on this.