Adding consumption of smoothies into your everyday routine leads to a better and healthier way of life. Smoothies are similar to juices, but just as different because of their creamy texture and they have more nutrients.
If you drink or are intending to start drinking smoothies, a question such as ‘Do smoothies lose nutrients overnight?’ may cross your mind. So, in this article, I will provide you with all the information you need in order to have a deeper understanding of it.
What makes smoothies the best option among many is they don’t have any chemicals or added flavors. They are made using all-natural ingredients. Without further ado, let’s find out whether smoothies really do lose nutrients over time.
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Do Smoothies Lose Nutrients Overnight?
The most crucial thing to do to slow down the spoiling process is to keep the smoothies refrigerated. How does the spoilage process begin? Well, oxygen exposure is the cause of oxidation, which is to blame for your smoothies being spoiled. However, there are ways to battle that.
One solution is adding antioxidants, citric acid for instance, to your smoothies. Lemons and lime juice contain high amounts of citric acid. The extra Vitamin C will also help prevent oxidation.
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Another very important step that prolongs the shelf life is storing your smoothies in an airtight container. All you have to do is fill the container to the brim so there’s no room for trapping the oxygen inside.
If you don’t do any of this, you can expect to save your smoothie for about twelve hours in the refrigerator. If you wish to know how long you can keep the smoothie out of the refrigerator, the answer is a maximum of four hours.
Implement the mentioned steps above and stretch your shelf life. While you can still drink your smoothie after 24 hours, the fresher your smoothie is, the better. A useful rule of thumb is the longer the food sits the bigger likelihood for nutrients to continue to diminish is.
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Are Smoothies Still Nutritious the Next Day?
Speaking of which, keep in mind that a day-old smoothie still beats the typical processed cereals or loaves of bread or toast. After a day it is still more nutritious than any of those. The best thing you can do to check is it still edible is to use your sense of smell before consuming it. Just to be safe, to make sure it isn’t spoiled.
Also, take into consideration that smoothies last longer than juice. Juice will keep for about twelve hours, while a smoothie will keep up to 24 hours, and even more. Keep in mind, do not store it for too long, and if it has a dark brown hue, toss it.
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On a happier note, there is a benefit to leaving your smoothie overnight. The ingredients are allowed to soak which means harder to digest ingredients such as nuts are broken down. That means that they can be easily digested in the morning.
If you add any dairy product to your smoothie proper storage is even more important. And the sooner you consume it, the better. On the other hand, green smoothies are best consumed immediately after making them. They can be stored for up to 48 hours, but they won’t be as flavorful the following day.
Before you drink your green smoothie, give it a good shake. The separation will occur, that is normal. Always keep the green smoothies in the refrigerator. Some smoothie combinations may become too gelatinous or thick if they are left for more than a couple of hours. For instance, a smoothie made with kale.
Storage of Smoothies
Store your smoothies in a glass container with an airtight lid. Then fill the container to the brim to prevent air from getting into the container for a better result. Seal the container tightly before storing it in the refrigerator. Glass mason jars are the best possible solution for keeping them air-tight and fresh.
One thing that shouldn’t slip your mind is to never store a smoothie in your blender pitcher. Most blender manufacturers caution that storing foods in the pitcher might damage the seal and lead to a more difficult cleaning of the blender.
You can transport a green smoothie in any insulated travel container that will keep it cool.
There is an option of freezing a green smoothie. If you are to do this, be sure to freeze the smoothie right after you blend it.
How Can I Keep My Smoothie Fresh Overnight?
If you want to make your morning smoothie the night before, the key is to slow down the oxidization process. There are several ways to do this, but the most important thing to remember is that you have to store your smoothie in the refrigerator. If you leave your smoothie sitting out overnight it will spoil and you will be putting your health at risk by drinking it.
Add Antioxidants To Your Smoothie
If you want to give your smoothie the best chance of lasting the night, add a squeeze of lemon juice or lime juice to it. These ingredients contain citric acid which is an antioxidant and will slow down the oxidization process. This is the reason you see lemon juice in the ingredients list of guacamole or hummus; it is a preservative and makes food last longer.
Store Your Smoothie In An Airtight Container
Oxidization occurs when food is exposed to oxygen in the air. In order to prevent air from getting to your smoothie, you need to store it in an airtight container. Many blender manufacturers provide you with extra containers for this purpose, and it’s better if it is a clear container so you can keep an eye out for any spoilage.
One important thing to note is to never store your smoothie in the container that you blended it in. These containers ofter contain rubber gaskets or seals and they can be damaged if not washed straight away.
When storing your smoothie in an airtight container, try to fill the container as much as possible. The less room there is for air to get in, the less chance there will be of oxidization to occur.
Store Your Smoothie In The Refrigerator
I know I have mentioned this several times already, but storing your smoothie in the refrigerator is the most important step you can take. Refrigerating your smoothie slows down oxidization, preserves the nutrients in your smoothie, and also helps to prevent spoilage.
If you add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice and store your smoothie in an airtight container, putting it in the refrigerator overnight will almost guarantee you will be able to enjoy a delicious, unspoiled smoothie in the morning.
How Long Will My Fresh Smoothie Last?
There are no hard and fast rules about how long your smoothie will last. It all depends on the ingredients and the storage method used. If you follow all of the above tips, you will give your smoothie the best chance of lasting until the next day.
The good thing about storing your smoothie in a clear container is that you can see if it has spoiled. Usually, a smoothie stored correctly will last 12 – 24 hours in the refrigerator. After this time you may still be able to drink it, but it won’t taste as good and may not have the same nutritional value as when it was fresh.
If you don’t drink your smoothie within 48 hours it’s probably a good idea to just throw it away and start again.
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Benefits of Drinking Smoothies
Another great thing when it comes to smoothies is drinking them can enhance your immunity. The reason for that being, smoothies have ingredients that have nutrients like beta-carotene which helps to increase and boost immunity.
The irrefutable aspect of keeping you healthy and the delicious taste is not the only benefit of drinking smoothies. They possess healthy fruits and vegetables and it is a liquid diet that also fulfills the need for water. The outcome of drinking them can be improved skin.
Do Smoothies Lose Nutrients Overnight – Final Thoughts
So, the answer to the question ‘Do the smoothies lose nutrients overnight?’ is a resolute yes. However, that doesn’t mean that a smoothie is worthless after a night of storage. It only means that after the initial 48 hours, the flavor and texture, along with nutrition will degrade. Ideally, store them in a time frame of 24 to 36 hours.
The ingredients one has used in smoothies and the way of storing it plays a major role in the end result. It is best consumed in the morning on an empty stomach. The nutrients won’t be as dense as they would be if you were to drink a fresh smoothie. You can rest assured that the majority of it was preserved during the short storage time.
You will still get all the essential vitamins and minerals you need and it is healthier than other popular options for food. Either way you look at it, it is a nutritious snack that can be prepared easily and swiftly. If you’re new to drinking smoothies, you are guaranteed to take a liking to them.