Doctor explains whether fruit smoothies are actually good for you

Some people believe it's better to eat fruits whole rather than blend them

A doctor has explained whether or not blending fruit breaks down fibre and other important nutrients, amid the rumour doing the rounds on some social media channels. Some have claimed that pulping the fruit and consuming it this way means you absorb less "goodness" than if you were to just eat the fruit on its own.

Taking to Instagram to clarify things, Dr Karan Rajan - known as Dr Raj - posed the question: "Is blending fruit actually good for you, or does it destroy the fibre and the nutrients?"

He went on to explain that all blending does is "take care of the first step of the digestive process" - chewing. He added: "And if fibre can survive your stomach acid and intestines, it can survive 30 seconds in a blender".

Dr Raj said that the cell wall structures and fibres of plants are "largely preserved" during the blending process. And that's not all.

"Depending on the type of fruit you use it your smoothie, it can actually unlock or release more nutrients. This could be the result of the fibre, fats, proteins, phytonutrients... being released from the seeds when they're blended", the expert added.

When we eat these certain fruits whole, the doctor explained, the seeds often remain intact. Further advocating for fruit smoothies, Dr Raj added: "Blending makes it easier to consume large quantities of fruits and vegetables in one sitting" - something that may help those who struggle to eat their recommended daily amounts.

Juicing, on the other hand, is not as good for you as Dr Raj said this method "can often deprive you of most of the pulp and the fibre". He added: "It's not a big deal once in a while, but if you're diabetic then removing the fruit's fibre allows the fruit juice's fructose to be absorbed more quickly, allowing for more spikes in blood glucose."