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Juicing is something that many people are beginning to do. It provides so many health benefits, including weight loss, boosting the immune system, and improving memory and concentration. That is because you are getting the best of the nutrients from fruits and vegetables through juicing. However, that does not mean not consume other foods because you need fats and proteins, and other essential nutrients that you cannot obtain through juicing. However, juicing is an excellent addition to a very healthy diet.
The one thing you may ask when you start juicing is how long the juice will last. That is a valid concern because the last thing you want to do is drink expired juice. That will make you sick! Let’s talk more about how long the juice stays fresh in the fridge and how you can help your juice maintain its freshness in the refrigerator.
How Long Can You Expect Juice To Last In The Fridge?
The length of time the juice can last in the fridge depends on so many factors. Firstly, the type of juicer you use to create the juice plays a significant role in that. If you use the centrifugal juicer, you can expect the juice to last 24 hours or one day. That is because the centrifugal juicer makes the liquid quickly and removes the pulp and fiber.
However, if you use the masticating juicer, you can expect it to stay good for 48 hours or two days. It is incredible how the centrifugal juicer and masticating juicer can significantly differ in how long the juice lasts. However, there are also tips on making the juice last even longer, even if it is slightly longer. But firstly, let’s talk more about the oxidation process, which is the culprit for your juice not staying good for very long.
What Is Oxidation?
The reason that perishables expire quickly is because of oxidation, as when perishable foods have exposure to air, that can cause them to break down and spoil. That is because through oxidation, bacteria breeds. Here is a gross comparison, but there is a reason that after someone dies, they need embalming if the funeral won’t take place within two days and if the plan is to make it an open-casket funeral. I do not need to elaborate more on that. However, the bottom line is that oxidation breaks the walls of the fruits and vegetables’ cells. And through exposure to air, the flesh begins to break down thanks to the introduction of bacteria.
Since the centrifugal juicer features high-speed spinning blades, that causes the oxidation to happen much quicker, that is why juice made with the centrifugal juicer will only last for a day in the fridge. When you juice by using the masticating juicer, it breaks the fruits and vegetables down slower. Hence, oxidation happens more slowly, and that is why it lasts longer.
You cannot avoid oxidation from happening to your food. As soon as you cut a slice of fruit or vegetable, there is the flesh’s exposure to the air. For example, when you cut a piece of apple, that is why it turns brown quickly. That is because of oxidation.
Here is the interesting thing. You may have thought that your juice degrades quickly because of the heat factor. The heat factor does not play a significant role in why your juice won’t last too long in the fridge. The only thing you can say about the heat factor is that it can eradicate some essential enzymes. However, it does not cause degradation of the juice. You can blame that solely on oxidation instead. Even though you cannot prevent oxidation, there are ways you can get potentially perverse your juice a little longer. Or, at the very least, you can keep it as fresh as possible for that one day if you made juice with the centrifugal juicer – or two days if you made your juice with the masticating juicer.
How Can You Maintain The Freshness Of Your Juice?
Can you increase the juice’s life in your fridge regardless of the juicer you use to make it? Perhaps by a few hours. However, there are simple ways to help the juice stay fresh, making it even more enjoyable. The first thing you must do is to keep your fridge cold. You do not want it to get to a temperature of a freezer. However, keep the refrigerator cold. You can knock the temperature down by a degree or two.
If you keep the fridge cold, that will slow oxidation and keep harmful bacteria at bay – for a while anyway! Therefore, the temperature alone in the refrigerator plays a significant role in maintaining your freshness of the juice. On the flip side, you want to makes sure your fridge is not at a warmer degree. Your juice will degrade quickly, and that is not what you want as that would defeat the purpose.
In addition to that, when you store your juice in the fridge, make sure it is in an airtight container. That will also help slow the oxidation. You may also want to add a splash of lemon juice or natural orange juice. Vitamin C is a natural preservative that will help keep bacteria from breeding through oxidation.
However, if you plan on making the juice for days in advance, you must put the remaining juice after the expiry time in the freezer as it can stay good for up to two weeks.
Therefore, if you put your juice, regardless of the juicer you use, in an airtight container, squeeze some natural lemon or orange juice in it, and keep the temperature of your fridge low – you will have at least one day of fresh juice that you will enjoy!
Conclusion
You decide to begin juicing, which is a great thing to do to help improve your health. Juicing enables you to strengthen your immune system; it helps with weight loss and provides other health benefits. Ensure that you do not rely on the juice you make as you require additional sources of nutrients such as proteins and fats. The one question you have when you begin juicing is how long you can keep the juice in the fridge.
That is a legitimate issue considering that because of oxidation, perishable foods go bad quickly. That is why the juice stays good for a day if you use the centrifugal juicer. If you use the masticating juicer, the juice will stay good for up to two days. However, some tips will help your juice stay as fresh as possible, and it may help the juice keep for a little longer. However, the best thing to do is if you plan to juice for days in advance, you will need to place the container in the freezer.