Is Juicing Raw Vegetables Good For You?

The juice of fresh vegetables provides nutrients, enzymes and a source of hydration. Modern juicers effectively separate the pulp that forms the structure of vegetables from the moisture contained within them. Juicing raw vegetables is a more convenient way to absorb vital nutrients, but raw vegetable juice lacks the fiber that your body needs for good digestion, according to Alt MD. For maximum nutrition when juicing, consume the pulp removed from your vegetables by using it in soups, breads and sauces.

Benefits

The raw vegetable juices that you make at home provide vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, beneficial enzymes, amino acids and natural sugars. Drinking raw vegetable juice adds to your daily nutrient intake, but it should not replace your intake of fruits and vegetables in their whole form completely. Raw vegetable juices can contribute to a healthy diet and help you reach the federal government's goal of five servings a day. It is also a way to expand the range of nutrients from vegetables you consume by making raw vegetable juice with vegetables that you might not normally eat.

Types

Choose your raw vegetables for juicing by type, nutrient content or flavor. Green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach and lettuce contain high levels of water or juice. Fruity vegetables are those that have seeds inside. Good options for juicing include cucumbers, tomatoes and some varieties of squash. Root vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, turnips and beets are denser, making them somewhat more difficult to juice, but some have a high water content.

Processing and Storage

Wash raw vegetables for juicing thoroughly to remove pesticides and bacteria. Since you will not pasteurize the juice, any bacteria left on the skin will wind up in your juice. Consume raw vegetable juice immediately for best flavor and safety. Store leftovers in the refrigerator and consume them within a day.

Quantities

The minimum and maximum amount of raw vegetable juice that you consume depends on your recommended daily calorie intake, along with the vitamins and minerals that you need. Excessive amounts of certain juices may lead to vitamin overdoses and changes in the color of your urine, soft stools or diarrhea. One factor to consider is the glycemic load of raw vegetable juices and combinations. Without the fiber from the original vegetables, your body converts the carbohydrates in vegetable juice to glucose more rapidly. The University of Bridgeport points out that consuming raw juice made from root vegetables such as carrots and beets could result in blood sugar level spikes.