What System of Juicing is Best?

There are two common systems of juicers: the centrifugal and the masticating.

The centrifugal juicer presses the material against a spinning grater that shreds it, throwing the juice in one direction and the pulp, peel and skin in another.  Some of the differences in the models I have used are a small feeding shute versus a larger one.  The smaller requires more prep of the fruits and veggies to get them down to an acceptable size.  The larger lets whole apples, tomatoes, carrots drop right in and be pressed down against the blade without cutting into smaller sections.  Both work fine, less effort is nice.

The masticating juicer is a different structure with a slow moving motor that has gears enabling grinding of anything.  It is often a quieter, slower moving machine that some would contend gets more juice from the first pass through the machine.  The masticating does a better job of juicing leafy veggies like spinach, kale, chard and wheatgrass.

There are some concerns in literature comparing the two methods.  Dr Max Gerson, the physician who created the Gerson Therapy, wrote that the centrifugal juicer flings all the juice through a screen, exposing it all to unnecessary oxygen, shortening it's shelf life (recommending immediate drinking for best result.) He also expressed a concern that the centrifugal process creates ions that cancel the opposite ions in the fruit and vegetables, producing a lesser nutritional juice.

The masticating juicer quietly "chews" the material, separating the juice and pulp within a closed system that, literature says, allows for refrigeration for drinking in the next couple of days.

I was perfectly happy with both of my centrifugal juicers.  An older model whose maker I forget, and a borrowed Breville Juice Fountain have been very satisfactory.  I've recently returned the Breville to it's owner, and have just received my Omega 8004 masticating juicer.  In the interim, I've been blending my fruits and veggies in a Vita Mix blender.  I've found that I do like to refrigerate some of my drinks for consuming later, so I chose the Omega 8004.  The 8006 is the same machine, but chrome, and a little more expensive.

The Gerson Institute recommends the Norwalk Two-Step process Juicer and Press for use while doing the Gerson Therapy.  If you are considering including the Gerson Therapy to your fight after a diagnosis, and you have the $2400 for this Rolls Royce of juicers, don't hold back.  But if you are approaching this material with a desire to build your immune system, with an eye toward warding off disease, then you will find defenders and users of every type of juicer.

The Purpose of This Blog

I have contacted high school classmates (we are Baby Boomers) about the phenomenon of juicing to maintain health, and as a part of a healing regimen for serious chronic disease.  I have found that I am not alone, we have other students of this information among us who will be able to add their experience and research to the information compiled here.  I am not offering medical advice.  I hope the information here will inspire others to experiment and adopt some adjustments to their diets that will improve health and strengthen immune systems to avoid future chronic disease.