The Dangerous Side Effect of Juicing

You may think that an all-juice diet can "reset" your body and help you feel healthier, but that may not always be the case. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health found that adults eating the most fruit — especially berries, apples, and grapes — reduced their risk for type 2 diabetes by up to 26 percent, while drinking fruit juice was linked to increased risk of diabetes. Liquid calories can cause a more rapid rise in blood sugar and insulin than foods of similar nutritional value. "Juicing may be 'in,' but don't count on it to quash your hunger or provide the same health benefits as whole fruit," says Julie Upton, MS, RD, of Appetite For Health. Celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak agrees, calling cold-pressed juices "a calorie bomb of sugar." Plus, juicing discards all the beneficial fiber in your produce, which means you won't be satisfied as long. The takeaway? While fresh, cold-pressed juices may have their health benefits, be smart about your juicing habit — and choose whole fruits and vegetables whenever possible.

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