If you’re looking to start fighting your body’s inflammation naturally, your kitchen can be your first (and greatest) ally. More and more people are turning to natural, organic produce like nutrient dense fruits and vegetables - not just to incorporate as part of their daily diets, but as targeted tools for wellness! 

One of the biggest debates we’ve seen in the world of juices is whether blending or juicing for inflammation is more effective. 

On the surface, both methods seem pretty similar, right? Take your fresh, clean produce and turn it into a drink by either pressing it or blending it up. But - beneath the surface, there are massive differences between the two (the two that we’ll focus on in this article) methods of juicing.

We’ll explore the real differences between juicing and blending in this article, specifically through the lens of someone looking to reduce the amount of inflammation in their bodies. 

Understanding Inflammation (And Why It Matters)

You don’t always need to write off inflammation as something bad or negative - In fact it’s actually a natural response your body has to injuries or infections. Chronic inflammation though? Now that’s a different story. 

Chronic inflammation has been linked to a plethora of health issues like constant fatigue, joint and nerve pain, digestive issues, and other possibly more concerning conditions such as heart or respiratory issues. 

This leads us to juicing - and the reason why so many people turn to organic, natural produce like turmeric, ginger, leafy greens, peppers, and produce with a wide array of colors. 

But it’s important to note that the way you consume these foods - whether through juicing or blending, has an important impact on how effective your juice is for your intended reasons. 

The Difference Between Juicing and Blending

Before we start getting into the differences between the two, let’s quickly break down the process of each method: 

• Blending: When you throw your produce into a blender, you’re utilizing a high speed blade to cut and powder-ify almost anything you’d throw in there (as long as it’s soft enough for the blade to cut). 
• Juicing: This method, on the other hand, is the process of squeezing out the liquid / juicing within your produce, while leaving the pulp behind. Even more importantly, slow masticating juicers 

Both methods offer a juice extract - but each offers a very unique array of beneficial compounds underneath - especially when it comes to inflammation. 

Nutritional Impact: Fiber vs. Fast Absorption

When you blend your produce into a smoothie like texture, fibers and all - still holds a wide array of potential benefits for your digestive / gut health. However when it comes to targeting inflammation specifically, cold-pressed juicing holds an important edge. 

But why is that? 

When you remove all the fiber from your produce and extract only the vital juices, you’re targeting (and with minimal degradation) the vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial compounds that are in the produce - while leaving out solids. 

Shelf Life, Freshness, and Potency

Another thing to consider when extracting your produce is shelf life - which can differ wildly between blended and cold pressed juices. 

Like we've mentioned before, blending enhances oxidation, which leads the the degradation of certain nutritional compounds that we're hoping to keep - not annihilate! 

Due to the effects of oxidation, heat, the extraction method, and ultimately, time - juices that go through the blender tend to last a shorter time in the fridge. Imagine putting an apple in the fridge vs. an apple that has been mashed. The pulverized apple will inevitably spoil and brown faster than a whole apple. 

So for those of you interested in shelving your extractions for a day or two, definitely keep this aspect of the process in mind! 

Don't Forget Taste and Texture

Let's get onto another really important topic when discussing anti inflammatory juices and juicing for inflammation purposes - the actual taste of the final product! 

For those of you who have (or regularly) throw things like ginger, turmeric, celery, etc. Into a blender, you know how heavily fiber content affects the overall drinkability of your juice. 

Essentially, blending and juicing gives the final extract an entirely different profile, so its important to know what you like and what your preferences are. Most importantly, which choice you're more likely to consume on a regular basis! 

Because let's face it, if the better option just simply isn't palatable for you, you're likely not going to consume it. 

When it comes to the actual nutritional bio-availability of the final product, we already know that the cold pressed juice is superior. With less fibrous material and a more efficient extract - you're better off running your produce through a cold press juicer If you're after the best health benefits. 

So if you've made it this far in the article, you're already convinced that cold pressing is your best option for juicing for inflammational purposes. 

Let's quickly cover why: 

Cold pressing: 

• Delivers a higher concentrations of anti-inflammatory & nutritional compounds
  
  
• Allows for a faster nutritional absorption in the body
  
  
• Reduces the digestive load on your gut
  
  
• Consume higher amounts of produce, easier
  
  
• Tastes better, more convenient

Quick guide to certain produce while juicing:

• Ginger – Contains gingerol, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound
  
  
• Turmeric – Known for its active compound curcumin
  
  
• Beets – Great for improving blood flow and reducing oxidative stress
  
  
• Celery – Hydrating and rich in anti-inflammatory flavonoids
  
  
• Leafy greens (kale, spinach) – High in antioxidants
  
  
• Pineapple – Contains bromelain, which may reduce swelling
  
  
• Carrots & Apples – For sweetness and added antioxidants
  
  

Try rotating a few of these into your juices and tracking how your body responds over time.

Final Verdict: Juicing Wins for Inflammation Relief

Blending does have its benefits - especially if you're making a smoothie or a creamy, fibrous drink! 

But for all of you out there targeting relief from inflammation, cold pressing is your best option. 

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