There are two basic ways of consuming fruits: it is either eaten whole or processed into juice form. The health benefits to be derived from taking fruits in each instance differ due to the availability of two components — the flesh and pulp of the fruit. When eating a fruit, there is every possibility that the skin and inner part of the fruit are consumed, but only the liquid component of a fruit is usually extracted to get the juice.
The skin of a fruit is the part that is exposed to sunlight, it is during this process that pigments such as carotenoids and flavonoids are formed. Researchers have revealed that these pigments are nutrients that protect the health and nourish the body. The flesh of whole fruits is rich in diverse vitamins and minerals. The skin of some of these fruits are also said to possess anti-cancer properties of polyphenols, such as resveratrol and quercetin, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Both the skin and pulp of fruits are rich in fibre, which prevents constipation. The pulps of fruits are rich in antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E. They also contain vitamin B, which aids metabolic processes. Using the white pulpy part of oranges as an example, while juicing the fruit, the pulp, rich in flavanoids, is lost. As a result of the absence of the skin and pulp in fruit juices, the concentration of sugar in them is high.
In other words, homemade juice has higher sugar level than wholly consumed fruit. Again, whole fruits take about thirty minutes to digest, while fruit juices are absorbed into the body almost immediately. For this reason, the absorption of sugar into the body differs in both cases, as eating of fruits afford the breaking down of sugar to the barest.
By BUNMI OYERINDE
