Smoothie vs Whole Fruit: Does Blending Change Anything?
, by "Sarah Faneh", 1 min reading time
What blending fruit actually changes, what it doesn't, and how to get the most out of a smoothie as part of your day.
You'll read online that blending "unlocks" nutrients or makes them "absorb better". The reality is simpler, and more useful.
What blending changes
- Texture. Blending breaks fruit into tiny pieces, so it's quicker to drink than to chew.
- Speed. You can get several servings of fruit and greens in one cup, which helps if you struggle to eat them.
- Fullness. Drinking is usually less filling than chewing the same food. Most people feel full longer after a whole apple than after the same apple blended.
What blending doesn't change
- The fiber is still there. Unlike juice, a smoothie keeps the whole fruit, pulp and all.
- It's still the same fruit. Blending doesn't add anything that wasn't already in it.
Getting the most out of a smoothie
- Use whole fruit, not sweetened juice, as the base.
- Add something green; spinach disappears into fruit.
- Add protein (plant protein, yogurt or nut butter) if it's standing in for a meal.
- Enjoy it alongside real food, not instead of all of it.
Try ours. Every smoothie at Clean River Juice Bar is blended to order with your choice of alkaline water, purified water or almond milk. See the menu →