How important is it that the cell wall is broken down for nutrition and absorbtion. is it true that the vitamix is the only blender that can do this?

Chewing and juicing also break down the cell walls. I am doing fine with a cheap blender from Target that makes nice smoothies.

>How important is it that the cell wall is broken down for nutrition and absorbtion.

It's probably more important for vegetables and nonsweet fruit than for sweet fruit. It has been shown that carotenoid uptake for certain carotenoids is greater for fruit than for vegetables. This is likely to be true for vitamins, minerals, and other phytochemicals as well.

I would make a swag that it depends on the dietary fiber content of the food.

>is it true that the vitamix is the only blender that can do this

I don't think so. Even a few short bursts with the s-blade on a cheap food processor will help. But they probably all have different effects on oxidation of lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins, based on the rpms and the amount of air incorporated in the result.

I have seen some comparisons for juicers performed by Dr. Donaldson of Hallelujah Acres but not for food processors and blenders. You could contact him for his opinion if you were really curious. I think he will have a good one!

Rosemary, the L'Equip blender is nearly as good as the Vitamix in terms of power but a lot cheaper (about £120) and not as good build quality.

Rob

--
Rob Hull - Funky Raw
My blog: [www.rawrob.com]

yes, I was thinking of getting a l'Equip. My 700 watt blender is so deafening I'm wearing ear plugs.

rosemary Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> yes, I was thinking of getting a l'Equip. My 700
> watt blender is so deafening I'm wearing ear
> plugs.

Well, the L'Equip isn't quiet and neither is the Vitamix!

Rob

--
Rob Hull - Funky Raw
My blog: [www.rawrob.com]

arugula Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> >How important is it that the cell wall is broken
> down for nutrition and absorbtion.
>
> It's probably more important for vegetables and
> nonsweet fruit than for sweet fruit. It has been
> shown that carotenoid uptake for certain
> carotenoids is greater for fruit than for
> vegetables. This is likely to be true for
> vitamins, minerals, and other phytochemicals as
> well.
>
> I would make a swag that it depends on the dietary
> fiber content of the food.

Less fiber = better nutritent absorbtion?

Yes, but the foods with higher fiber content tend to have a greater to much greater nutrient content to begin with. They also tend to be more mineral-rich.

And you do need fiber, lots of soluble fiber especially, to keep your circulatory system and intestines clean.

So you still need to eat them!

Thanks Rob, I guess I'll be wearing ear plugs for a while; cotton wool soaked in olive oil. But nothing could be noiser than the bomb I have, surely?
But does the l'Equip break cell walls, thus creating a superfood, like the vitamix? well it's about 1/4 of the price atleast...

I would say that Nature's most perfect blender and juicer is your mouth.

Plus, it's free, it's simple, it's quiet, and it's always with you wherever you go. There's nothing to clean or use electricity or take up space in a landfill someday.

Just a thought. . .



Love,
Julie