On: The Secret Ingredient in Orange Juice

[pyre]

> If you're going to eat something sweet, it's far better for you if it comes combined with fibre.

My question is if the fibre has to be whole or not. If I put an apple into a high powered blender, it will get pulverized, but I'm not removing any fibre from it the way I would if I were running it through a juicer.

Does the "slowing" factor of the fibre depend on it being in clumps (i.e. a chunk of apple digests slower than apple sauce)?

[lnanek2 → pyre]

It's definitely true that finely ground flour digests faster (more surface area, less breakdown needed, etc.). Effect probably exists for apples too.

[eadz → pyre]

Chewing is part of the digestive system ( Saliva contains digestive enzymes ), so you're missing out on that.

[tracker1 → pyre]

Whole, chewed fruit is much slower/evenly absorbed than sauced/pureed fruit... Once pureed, it's closer to juice.

[pyre → tracker1]

You still get the benefit of eating the whole fruit though. None of the nutrients are removed, and you're less likely to eat 6 apples worth of puree than to drink 6 apples worth of apple juice.

> slower/evenly absorbed

Also, I'm curious what you mean here by "evenly absorbed." Even in what sense?

[tracker1 → pyre]

I mean it doesn't spike your blood glucose as much.