Fruit Juices and Smoothies

Fruit juices are very re-freshing drinks. They have a wealth of compounds which most nutritionists consider as being very good for you. Fresh Orange juice for example contains ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), folic acid(Vitamin B9) and Potassium.

Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid or L-ascorbate is an essential nutrient for humans and certain other animal species, in which it functions as a vitamin. In living organisms, ascorbate is an anti-oxidant, since it protects the body against oxidative stress. It is also a cofactor in at least eight enzymatic reactions, including several collagen synthesis reactions that cause the most severe symptoms of scurvy when they are dysfunctional. In animals, these reactions are especially important in wound-healing and in preventing bleeding from capillaries.

Scurvy has been known since ancient times. People in many parts of the world assumed it was caused by a lack of fresh plant foods. The British Navy started giving sailors lime juice to prevent scurvy in 1795. Ascorbic acid was finally isolated in 1932 and commercially synthesized in 1934.

Folic acid is essential to numerous bodily functions ranging from nucleotide biosynthesis to the remethylation of homocysteine. The human body needs folate to synthesize DNA, repair DNA, and methylate DNA as well as to act as a cofactor in biological reactions involving folate. It is especially important during periods of rapid cell division and growth. Children and adults both require folic acid in order to produce healthy red blood cells and prevent anemia.

The Potassium ion is necessary for the function of all living cells, and is thus present in all plant and animal tissues. It is found in especially high concentrations within plant cells, and in a mixed diet, it is most highly concentrated in fruits.

A smoothie (or smoothy) is a blended, chilled, sometimes sweetened beverage made from fresh fruit (fruit smoothie) or vegetables and in special cases can contain chocolate. In addition to fruit, many smoothies include crushed ice, frozen fruit, honey or contain syrup and ice ingredients. They have a milkshake-like consistency which is thicker than slush drinks. Unlike milkshakes, they usually don't contain ice cream, but can contain milk and yogurt (and a small number of smoothies do use ice cream). Smoothies are often marketed to health-conscious people, and some restaurants offer add-ins such as soya milk, whey powder, green tea, herbal supplements, or nutritional supplement mixes.

Quite clearly with all these benefits - it's easy to understand why so many smoothie and juice bars are springing up. We hope you can see fru-it (terrible joke!).

Open a smoothie and juice bar now!

or why not open a juice bar?