The pros and cons of drinking smoothies

Whether you prefer store-bought or freshly blended, there's nothing like an ice cold smoothie! Compared to other summery drinks like beer or iced coffee, a smoothie may seem like a healthy option as they're packed with fruit and veg. But are they as healthy as we think? Some experts claim that smoothies have too much sugar and not enough fibre.

To find out the pros and cons of this beloved beverage, we asked award-winning nutritionist and health writer Anita Bean for her advice...

First, the pros:

Pro: they contain lots of fruit, which is good for your skin

Research shows that people who eat more fruit and veg have healthier looking skin. Vitamin C is particularly important, so adding citrus fruit like oranges, lemon and grapefruit can help to improve your skin tone. 

PRO

Blending is best 

Juicing gives you a concentrated dose of vitamins and minerals, but blending provides a more complete mixture of everything each vegetable or fruit has to offer, including fibre. Fibre also helps slow the absorption of sugars, which means smoothies won't raise your blood sugar quite as fast as fruit juice. 

PRO

They're super convenient 

Virtually no preparation is required - just blend, gulp and go. A smoothie also delivers several portions in one sitting, so it's easier to tick off your five-a-day, which is linked to a lower risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke and type 2 diabetes. 'It’s also a chance to try fruit and vegetables you don't normally eat much, like avocados and kale,' says Anita.

© 10'000 Hours - Getty Images how healthy are smoothies

And now, the cons:

CON

Smoothies can make you eat more 

Research shows that liquid calories don't satisfy your hunger as much as solid food. If you consume calories as a liquid rather than a whole food, you tend to have more overall. 

CON

They contain a lot of sugar 

Fruit smoothies made from fruit are quite concentrated, so it's easy to gulp down a lot of fruit sugars in one sitting. Some can contain more sugar than a can of cola. 'Opt for recipes that contain more veg to increase the satiating fibre content. A good ratio to follow is 70% veg to 30% fruit,' says Anita. 

CON

They don't have more nutrients 

'We know that bullet blenders break food down into smaller particles compared to chewing, but no studies have shown the body actually absorbs more nutrients from smoothies,' adds Anita. Meaning you're no healthier by blending the food than if you just chewed it yourself.

Anita's verdict

'Having one smoothie a day is a super-convenient way to pack more fruit and veg into your diet. Our skin tests show they can also improve the appearance and quality of your skin. But the jury is still out as to whether drinking your fruit and veg is any better for your health and complexion than eating the food in its whole form. However, if you're someone who struggles to hit their five-a-day, a smoothie is one of the easiest ways to boost your diet. If you've resolved to eat in a better, more balanced way, getting yourself a bullet blender is certainly a good place to start.'

So, which is the best smoothie maker?

We've tested nine smoothie makers at the Good Housekeeping Institute to find the best.

This Nutri Foodi Power Nutri Blender smoothie maker achieved a near-perfect score in our tests. It has four pre-programmed settings: blend, crush, mix and powermix, and a Nutri Bowl attachment that is great for making thicker smoothie bowls or nut butters. It can blitz ice cubes and has cut through any fruit with no problems.