Cold-Pressed Juice Explained: How It’s Made and Why It’s Better for You

From superfoods to keto diets, wellness trends come and go these days, sweeping people up into a frenzy of the latest fad. At Jugo, we believe that healthy living is a holistic approach where your favorite foods still have a place in your meal plan.

Whether you’re keeping up with A-list celebrities or browsing the aisles of the grocery store, you’ve surely seen cold-pressed juices and maybe even noticed their rising popularity.

Many claim juicing is a great way to get all the necessary nutrients without consuming large portions of fruits and vegetables. Others claim that the research just isn’t there to prove it. So, what’s the truth?

Whether you’re looking for an easy way to get a boost of wellness in your day or just want a refreshing drink, cold-pressed juice is a great choice. We’re going to break down how it’s made, why it’s good for you, as well as what the science behind it actually says.

What is Cold-Pressed Juice?

Whether it’s a big-name brand or a fresh farmer’s market juice, there are many types of juices you can buy. Cold-pressed juice is growing in popularity because it is made by pressing fruits and vegetables into a pulp to extract juice while still retaining the important nutrients.

This process is also known as hydraulic pressing or high-pressure processing (HPP), and unlike traditional centrifugal or heat-based juicing, cold pressing does not involve high temperatures or leave room for oxygen to fold into the juice.

In other words, without heat or added oxygen, your fruits and vegetables are able to retain their original vitamins and enzymes. For this reason, cold-pressed juices have a host of potential health benefits such as boosted immunity, detoxification, enhanced skin health, and more.

How Cold-Pressed Juice is Made

When it comes to juices, you can use just about any combination of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. At Jugo, we have a wide selection of fresh ingredients that make up our delicious flavors, such as:

• Apple
• Beet
• Carrot
• Celery
• Coconut
• Cucumber
• Ginger
• Ghost Pepper
• Kale
• Lemon
• Lime
• Orange
• Pineapple
• Spinach
• Turmeric
• Watermelon

Our team takes all of the fresh ingredients and finely chops and grinds – or “macerates” – the ingredients to a pulp. This step helps break down the cell walls, making juice extraction much easier.

From here, the pulp is placed into a hydraulic press which uses extreme pressure to squeeze out the oils and juice, before getting filtered to remove the remaining solids.

The resulting juice is then bottled and typically subjected to high-pressure processing to kill potentially harmful microorganisms while retaining its nutritional value.

9 Benefits of Cold-Pressed Juice

Now that you understand the process of making cold-pressed juice, you can see that the retained vitamins and minerals come with added wellness benefits, making our juices at Jugo perfect for a mid-day pick-me-up.

Here are some of the proven scientific benefits of cold-pressed juices:

1. Higher Nutrient Retention

Cold-pressed juice retains more vitamins and minerals compared to juices made with centrifugal juicers. As we mentioned, this is because the cold press method avoids the heat that can degrade sensitive nutrients.

For example, vitamin C and folate are better preserved. Cold pressing also preserves beneficial enzymes that can aid in digestion and support overall health. Enzymes help break down nutrients and make them easier for the body to absorb.

According to Cleveland Clinic’s registered dietitian Natalie Romito, RD, LD, “If the food’s color is translating into your juice, you can feel good that you’re getting some of the antioxidants and vitamins that your fruits and vegetables have naturally.”

2. Enhanced Flavor and Freshness

The absence of heat during the extraction process helps maintain the natural flavors of the fruits and vegetables, resulting in a more vibrant and fresh-tasting juice. At Jugo, many of our customers rave about the “fresher” taste of our juices. They can even be more aromatic because of the essential oils and compounds retained from the produce.

3. Improved Hydration

Proper hydration is crucial for various bodily functions, including digestion, skin health, and energy levels. Cold-pressed juice is high in water content, which helps keep the body hydrated. Opting for hydrating ingredients can also help boost your water intake.

For instance, watermelon, cucumber, oranges, grapefruit, melons, celery, and coconut are all high on the list of fruits and vegetables that are great nutrient-rich water sources.

4. Detoxification

Many people use cold-pressed juice as part of a detox diet. The juice can help flush out toxins from the body, particularly when consumed as part of a balanced diet that includes other healthy habits. To learn more about juice cleanses and detoxes, check out our blog on Juice Cleansing for Beginners.

5. Digestive Health

The enzymes preserved in cold-pressed juice can aid in the digestion of food, helping the body break down nutrients more efficiently. It should be noted, however, that all juicing methods actually remove fiber from fruits and vegetables, meaning they are stripped of this important digestive compound. This is why we don’t recommend using juices as a replacement for whole fruits and vegetables in your diet.

6. Boosted Immune System

Cold-pressed juice often includes a variety of fruits and vegetables packed with vitamins, such as vitamin C, which is known to support the immune system. Many cold-pressed juices are rich in antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and support overall health.

It should be noted that this is often a result of the ingredients, not the cold pressing. If you’re looking for an immune boost to protect yourself from cold and flu season, be sure to try out our Bomba or Fuerte juices, which are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and other beneficial ingredients.

7. Support for Healthy Skin

Cold-pressed juices promote healthy skin by providing a rich source of essential vitamins and antioxidants. Vitamins such as A and C, found in many cold-pressed juices, can promote healthy skin.

Vitamin C, found in fruits like oranges and lemons, supports collagen production and protects against free radical damage, while Vitamin A from carrots and beets aids in skin repair and texture. Hydration from the juice also contributes to maintaining skin moisture and elasticity.

8. Energy Boost

Cold-pressed juices contain natural sugars from fruits and vegetables that can provide a quick source of energy without the crash associated with processed sugars. The concentration of nutrients in cold-pressed juice can support overall energy levels and vitality. Plus, when stored correctly and consumed fresh, cold juice on a hot day can be just as energizing as a coffee!

9. Convenience and Variety

Cold-pressed juice is often available in convenient, ready-to-drink formats, making it easy to incorporate into a busy lifestyle. At Jugo, we have a wide range of flavors and combinations available for a diverse intake of nutrients and flavors. You can also try our 1, 3, or 5-Day Restore program which comes with 6, 18, and 30 juices of your choice for you to enjoy at home.

A Word of Caution about Juicing

Cold-pressed juice in its raw form only has a shelf life of three to four days before it begins to spoil. This can cause some major food safety issues, especially for young children or pregnant women.

Research suggests that storing juices at about 40°F for 48 hours can protect the bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of juices, whereas keeping at room temperature can significantly decrease these factors.

At our Texas juice bar, our cold-pressed juices are professionally squeezed and bottled, without any added sugar or preservatives. Due to our unique process, our juices have a 45-day shelf life beginning the day they are made.

Additionally, it’s important to remember that most fruits and vegetables contain little to no protein or fat, and the juicing process strips the fiber found in whole produce.

Therefore, we don’t recommend using juices as a meal replacement. Although there are plenty of wonderful benefits to our cold-pressed juices, a balanced, whole foods diet is crucial for our bodies – no matter your age.

Remember that pursuing your healthiest self can look different for everyone, and does not always require strict diets or weight loss. Be sure to check in with yourself and consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.

Where to Buy Cold-Pressed Juice in Texas

With the hands-on process and all-natural ingredients, cold-pressed juices are a wonderful way to get some added nutrients when you’re itching for something besides water. Packed with health benefits and flavor, you’ll get the best out of your fruits and vegetables with a delicious cold-pressed juice.

To get a 100% natural option, we recommend buying your cold-pressed juice from our local juice bars so you can ensure that you are getting the cleanest, most fresh juice possible. Stop by Jugo in Alon, Alamo Ranch, or Grandscape, Texas to shop our fresh local cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and acai bowls.

Browse our menu and order online for pickup, order on your favorite third-party delivery app (Uber, DoorDash, etc.), or come on in and enjoy the vibes in-store.