Are Fruit Juices Good for You or Not?
The Opposing Views
© 2012 Health Realizations, Inc.

Americans drink more than 2 billion gallons of fruit juice every year, and children under 12 are the largest group of juice consumers, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

In fact, by the time they're 1 year old, about 90 percent of U.S. infants drink fruit juice. And, historically, pediatricians used to recommend fruit juice as a healthy source of vitamin C and extra fluids for kids. Juice makers would agree, and their product is marketed as an incredibly healthy source of vitamins and even calcium.

But is fruit juice really all that good for you?

"Fruit juice certainly has a role to play in healthy living," says Ann Kulze, MD, author of "Dr. Ann's 10-Step Diet: A Simple Plan for Permanent Weight Loss and Lifelong Vitality" in a WebMD article.

Certain juices, for instance, particularly the dark-colored varieties like cranberry, grape and pomegranate juices, contain antioxidants that may help to fight heart disease and cancer. And when consumed in moderation, fruit juices may provide some protective benefits.

Fruit vs. Fruit Juice: Which is Better?

Most experts will unanimously agree that eating the whole fruit is always better than drinking fruit juice.

"Is juice as good as whole fruit?" asks Michael D. Ozner, MD, president of the American Heart Association of Miami, in WebMD. "No. Fruit has more fiber, fewer calories, and more phytonutrients than juice."

This is because there are certain things lacking in fruit juice that exist in the whole fruit, namely fruit skins, which are loaded with antioxidants like flavonoids, and fruit pulp (the main source of fruit fiber). Fruit juice also elevates your blood sugar level faster than whole fruit, which may contribute to insulin resistance and even diabetes.

Meanwhile, whole foods are almost always better than processed varieites, and all fruit juice is processed. Many juices on the market actually contain only a small amount of real fruit juice along with added sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup, which may be linked to obesity.

Some of the lower quality brands also contain artificial colors and flavors in addition to added sugar, and these drinks are really no healthier than a can of soda.

Even when it is 100 percent fruit juice, most nutritionists will agree that you are better off eating a piece of fruit than drinking a glass of juice.

"Fruit juice offers no nutritional benefits over whole fruit," concluded the AAP. But what if you could get the delicious taste of fruit juice but with the added benefits of high antioxidant fruit and vegetables and without the ill effects of sugar, high fructose corn syrup and other added sweeteners? Designs for Health made it possible with their PaleoReds Strawberry Powder™, a delicious whole foods powder with antioxidant-rich extracts of nutrient dense fruits and vegetables.

With dozens of fruits including organic apples, cherries, blueberries, pomegranates, grapes, as well as carrots and beets, PaleoReds powder can be mixed in cold water for a refreshing and great-tasting fruit and berry drink rich in needed antioxidants. Kids and adults alike love the taste and parents can be glad they are providing their children with a source of natural vitamin C.

For parents who want extra vitamin C or the sweet and tangy taste of an orange drink without the sugar, they should consider DFH's C+ BioFizz™. Sweetened wthout fructose or other undesirable sweetners, C+ BioFizz™ powder when added to water becomes an effervescent, sweet orange drink loaded with over 2500 mgs of vitamin C and its bioflavanoids.

How to Make Fruit Juice a Healthy, Not Detrimental, Part of Your Diet

As long as you consume it in moderation (8 ounces a day of 100% juice is acceptable, says Dr. Ozner), fruit juice can be included in your diet. While it certainly is preferable to soda or other sweetened drinks from a vitamin perspective, keep in mind that it is still high in calories. Note that PaleoReds Strawberry powder contains only 33 calories per serving and no sugar so there is no need to worry about it promoting obesity.

Therefore if you are trying to lose weight, fruit juice won't help you do it (choose water for that purpose). In fact, a study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism even found that fructose, a sugar in fruit juice, may promote weight gain.

What about giving juice to kids? The AAP has come out with a new set of guidelines for juice consumption for children, which says:

• Infants less than 6 months old should not be given fruit juice.

• Infants 6 months to 12 months old may have up to 4 ounces a day.

• Children 1 year to 6 years old may have up to 4-6 ounces a day.

• Children 7 years and older may have up to 12 ounces a day.

• Excessive juice consumption may lead to over-nutrition or undernutrition, and may cause diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal distention and tooth decay.

• Infants should not be given juice in a bottle or covered cup that allows them to consume juice easily throughout the day.

• Infants should not be given juice at bedtime.

• Children should be encouraged to eat whole fruits.

Further, there are major differences in juice quality out there. Here's what to look for, and avoid, when choosing a fruit juice for yourself or your child:

• Choose 100-percent fruit juice only.

• Avoid "fruit drinks," "fruit-juice cocktails," "fruit beverages," and any juices that have added sugars, flavors or colors. Instead look for natural sweetners like Xylitol. It has 40% less calories than sugar and doesn't create the highs and lows that sugar does.

• Choose dark-colored fruit juices (such as grape, cranberry, pomegranate, and blueberry), as they're rich in antioxidants.

• Look for juice that has sediment on the bottom of the jar. This means the fruit skins, which are very nutritious, were used in the processing (and be sure to shake the bottle up before your pour a glass).

• If you love fruit juice but want to limit your calories, mix half a serving with sparkling water. Or try mixing 1 Tbsp of PaleoReds powder in 8 oz of water for a low calorie and delicious fruity-tasting drink.

Sources

The American Academy of Pediatrics

MedicineNet.com

The World's Healthiest Foods