Magnetic juices

The Samson Ultra juicer contains magnets - which the supplier states "helps preserve essential enzymes, nutrients and flavor for up to 72 hours".

The most popular twin gear juicers now all contain magnets and ceramic technology - the latter is intended to translate the magnetic field into electromagnetic radiation.

To give some idea of the nature of the claims I've assembled some comments relating to it.

Green Power is the first and only juice extractor in the world to employ powerful magnets to help create maximum nutritional quality. With this breakthrough technology, Green Power has achieved results no other juicer can claim or even come close to, for that matter.

Further Protection from Oxidation

The magnets are built into the rotating Twin Gears, so the juice passes through a powerful magnetic field as it is being extracted. This enhances the paramagnetic properties of alkaline minerals such as potassium, calcium and magnesium.

...and...

Yes, there are magnets in the Green Power juicer. At the core of each rotating twin gear is a serious of in-line magnets. When the twin gears are properly aligned, the two series of magnets produce a focused magnetic field of 2600 gauss in the minute 4/1000 inch clearance between the twin gears. As juice flows through this focused magnetic field, the water molecule clusters within the juice are opened allowing them to recombine with minerals such as calcium, potassium, sodium, and magnesium into new molecular structures. This magnetic process aids in extracting a greater percentage of mineral nutrients from the produce during the juicing process and is instrumental in keeping those minerals in a suspended colloidal form the body can use for a longer length of time.

To better explain how the water molecule clusters open up and recombine, read below.

Each of the spheres in the cluster represents a water molecule. At the very center core of this cluster is space. That space could be occupied with a mineral, a speck of pesticide residue, a particle of impurity, or it could be vacant - we do not know. As this water cluster passes through the magnetic field, it is opened up, releasing whatever is in the interior. It may also be broken up into two smaller water clusters, each with a specific magnetic "draw" of its own.

Minerals in the produce you are juicing can now attach onto the water molecule cluster, forming a new mineral enriched molecular structure. Since, opposite poles attract, you can begin to see how more and different minerals now have an opportunity for molecular restructuring into the juice.

...and...

What is far infrared? Is it safe?

Far infrared is energy. It is the natural, resonant frequency range of water and all organic matter - even humans. The wavelength of infrared energy is between 0.7 microns and 1000 microns, just beyond the frequency range of visible light.

And, one part of this range is 5 to 15 microns, which is far infrared. Far infrared energy waves are the safest and most beneficial energy source available. We like to call it the "Life Force Frequency".

...and...

How does the far infrared energy affect the juice?

The water molecules in juice want to resonate at their natural tempo. However, the juicing process can be a bit rough on the water molecules, making them a bit unstable.

By reminding them of their natural resonant frequency, it restabilizes the water molecules. You could possibly compare this process with playing “the mother's heartbeat” to an infant I- it soothes and calms the baby. In the case of juice, it stabilizes the juice for a longer period of time.

...and...

In addition to keeping more enzymes intact because of less heat and friction, the Green Life also utilizes bioceramic and magnetic technologies, which helps to add more positive ions and vitality to minerals in the juice. Here's how it works: at the core of each of the twin gears is a series of magnets. The magnets are each three-quarters of an inch long and are alternated between positive and negative. When the two gears are placed side-by-side, the positive and negative magnets are also alternated between the gears, which generates a positive charge, or attraction. At the molecular level, this means the magnets are creating positive ions as the gears spin.

Surrounding the inner core of magnets is a second level containing bioceramic particles and an outer layer of stainless steel. Bioceramic particles, produced by far-infrared technology, also emit positive ions. Magnets in the Green Life work in conjunction with these bioceramic particles. The magnets recharge the bioceramic material and the bioceramic material recharges the magnets. Without this recharging, the effect of both the magnets and the bioceramic material each would eventually be diminished.

As the gears are spinning, the magnets and the bioceramic material are each producing more positive ions than can be held in charge by either the magnets or bioceramic material, therefore many of these positive ions go into the juice. These additional positive ions add more vitality and longevity to the life of the minerals, which reduces oxidation and keeps the juice fresher longer.

...and...

The twin gears are very unique in a way of using magnetic technology. In the core of the twin gears is a line of magnets that produce a focused magnetic field of 2600 gauss through which the juice flows during the juicing process.

As juice flows through the focused field, the water molecules in the juice are broken up into small molecules allowing the atoms to recombine with other minerals in the pulp. This magnetic process therefore extracts a greater % of mineral nutrients from the produce during juice extraction.

Green Power places a specially formulated bioceramic material around the in-line magnets. The bioceramic compound uses the mechanical energy from the turning of the twin-gears to generate Far Infrared energy also called "life force frequency."The Far Infrared helps stabilize the fragile structure of the juice and gives it longer storage life. Far Infrared waves are the safest and most beneficial energy source available.

The first three are from the manufacturer of the first magnetised twin gear juicer - mainly from their FAQ.

My theory

I initially thought that - since the first manufacturer had included magnets to add items to their list of features; the next manufacturer had felt obliged to follow suite - primarily in order to match the features of the first juicer.

However it turns out all the juicers in question were designed by the same man - one Mr Kim - so that seems like a more plausible explanation for the shared feature.

The manufacturers do not appear to be doing a very good job of publicly making any sort of coherent case for using the magnets. They appear to have no scientific studies supporting their claims.

Moving juice through a magnetic field might improve it. Alternatively it might degrade it. Most likely it will do practically nothing at all. Until some scientific studies are performed it seems unlikely whether anyone will know for sure.

Similarly with irradiating it with infra-red radiation. Infra red radiation might typically help living tissues - by warming them up. Unfortunately the living tissues present in juice are most likely to be bacteria - and heating their growing medium slightly seems unlikely to help.

What seems likey to me to happen in this instance is that any radition produced will be rapidly absorbed by the stainless steel gears - and then re-radiated into the juice as "ordinary" infra-red radiation - i.e. as heat.

Maybe other effects are involved. Until some scientific studies are performed it seems unlikely whether anyone will know for sure.

Unfortunately, the current use of magnets in juicers appears to be based on ignorance and mumbo jumbo.

Why does this matter? I object when consumers are fed pseudo-scientific nonsense as part of a sales pitch.

I don't like rewarding the behaviour with financial contributions - and I don't like the idea of paying extra for the supposed feature.

Also, I suspect magnets are a significant part of the reason for the juicer being supplied with a plastic jug.