Is it OK to put whole apple in juicer?

Juicing fruits and vegetables is a great way to get an extra serving of produce into your diet. Fresh juices retain most of the vitamins, minerals and plant nutrients of whole fruits and vegetables. While juicing doesn’t provide the same fiber content as eating whole produce, it can be a convenient way to add variety and nutrients to your routine.

Pros of Juicing Whole Apples

Juicing whole apples, including the peel, core and seeds, provides the maximum nutrition compared to peeling and coring apples before juicing. Here are some of the benefits of juicing whole apples:

• Higher fiber content – The peel and pulp of apples contain a lot of fiber. Fiber helps promote fullness, gut health and healthy cholesterol levels.
• More antioxidants – Compounds like quercetin and catechin antioxidants are concentrated mostly in the peel. Antioxidants help reduce inflammation and protect cells.
• Extra nutrients – The core and seeds add minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium and selenium.
• Pectin benefits – Pectin fiber in the core may help moderate blood sugar levels and reduce cancer risk.
• Apple peel perks – The peel contains polyphenols that may have anti-cancer and immunity-boosting effects.

Cons of Juicing Whole Apples

While juicing whole apples can provide extra nutrition compared to peeling them, there are also some downsides to consider:

• Bitter flavor – The peel, seeds and woody parts of the core add bitterness and unpleasant flavors.
• Clogs juicer – The thick peel and woody core can jam some juicers.
• Seeds contain amygdalin – Apple seeds contain a compound called amygdalin which converts to cyanide in the body. Eating a few seeds isn’t harmful, but juicing a lot could be dangerous.
• Pesticides on peel – Waxy apple peel can accumulate pesticides and contaminants unless organic.
• Less juice yield – More of the apple is discarded in the juicing waste (pulp) when leaving the core and seeds intact.

Ways to Soften Impact of Whole Apples

There are some tips you can follow to still gain benefits of juicing whole apples while minimizing some of the drawbacks:

• Use organic apples – Choose organic apples whenever possible to avoid pesticides and contaminants on the peel.
• Remove seeds first – Take out the seeds by hand or with a tool before juicing to avoid excess amygdalin intake.
• Mix with other produce – Combine apple juice with carrot, lemon, ginger or other produce to mask bitter flavors.
• Alternate juicing and blending – Juice apples one day, then blend apples with the cores the next day for variety.
• Drink immediately – Fresh juices oxidize quickly, so bitter compounds from peels can multiply if juice sits.
• Enjoy whole apples too – Eat apples out-of-hand on some days rather than juicing to get fiber benefits.

Best Juicer Types for Whole Apples

Some juicers handle whole apples better than others. Here is a comparison of different juicer types:

Juicer Type	Benefits	Downsides
Centrifugal	Fast juicing Affordable prices	Can’t juice whole apples well Produces oxidized juice Louder operation
Masticating	Effectively juices whole apples Minimal oxidation Quieter motor	Slower juicing Higher prices
Triturating	Juices whole apples with ease Highest juice yields Very slow oxidation	Most expensive Slowest juicing time

Masticating and triturating juicers are best equipped to juice whole apples. They have powerful motors and gears that effectively crush and press apples, even with the core intact. The slower juicing method also results in a higher quality, less oxidized juice.

Best Apple Varieties for Juicing

Choosing the right apple varieties can make a big difference in the flavor and texture of homemade juices. Some types are sweeter, while others are tangier. Certain varieties break down better during juicing as well. Here are some great options:

Apple Variety	Flavor Profile	Juicing Notes
Fuji	Sweet, crisp and refreshing	Soft flesh juicy well
Gala	Mildly sweet flavor	Good juicing apple
Honeycrisp	Sweet with tart kick	High juice output
Granny Smith	Bright tart flavor	Adds nice acidity to juices
Jonagold	Honey-nut flavor	Mixed sweet-tart taste

For best results, use a blend of sweeter apples like Fuji, Gala or Honeycrisp with more tart Granny Smith or Jonagold apples. The sweet varieties provide nicer fruit flavor, while the tart ones give a tangy, refreshing bite.

Should You Juice Whole Apples: The Bottom Line

Juicing whole apples does maximize the nutrition you get from each fruit. However, the bitter flavor and gritty texture from the peel, seeds and core can be unpleasant. Here are some final tips on deciding whether to juice whole apples:

• Try both methods – Juice whole apples sometimes but also peel them other times to find what you prefer.
• Use high-quality juicer – Invest in a masticating or triturating model if juicing whole apples regularly.
• Mix with other ingredients – Combine apple juice with sweeter or stronger flavors to mask bitterness.
• Remove seeds first – Consider pre-cutting and deseeding apples if you want to juice the peel and flesh but not seeds.
• Drink juice promptly – Bitter compounds multiply quickly, so juice whole apples right before drinking.
• Eat whole apples too – Alternate between juicing and eating apples for balanced fiber and convenience.

While juicing whole apples provides more nutrients, the drawbacks like bitterness and pulp buildup may outweigh the small benefits for some people. Listen to your body and adjust your juicing methods to find what feels best.

Conclusion

Juicing whole apples provides more antioxidants, polyphenols and nutrients compared to peeling them. However, the bitter taste and fibrous texture are turnoffs for some. Using a quality masticating juicer and mixing apple juice with other produce is best when juicing whole apples. For maximum convenience and balanced nutrition, alternate between juicing whole apples and eating whole apples based on your needs that day.