Fruit Juices: Are They Helpful or Harmful? An Evidence Review
Dietary guidelines often deal with 100% fruit juice (FJ) inconsistently because it represents a source of free sugars. However, FJ also provides bioavailable micronutrients and plant bioactives at levels similar to those found in whole fruits. The present review weighs up the evidence from high-qual...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-05-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/6/1815 |
| _version_ | 1797532511415304192 |
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| author | Carrie H. S. Ruxton Madeleine Myers |
| author_facet | Carrie H. S. Ruxton Madeleine Myers |
| author_sort | Carrie H. S. Ruxton |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Dietary guidelines often deal with 100% fruit juice (FJ) inconsistently because it represents a source of free sugars. However, FJ also provides bioavailable micronutrients and plant bioactives at levels similar to those found in whole fruits. The present review weighs up the evidence from high-quality studies investigating a potential health harm for FJ against evidence from studies which indicate a potential health benefit. The findings reveal that FJ consumption, at moderate intakes consistent with the dietary guidelines for the US and some European countries (75–224 mL daily), does not increase the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease or poor glycaemic control. In contrast, regular consumption of FJ—even up to 500 mL per day in short-to-medium-term studies—appears to confer a health benefit in terms of vascular function and reduced blood pressure. Emerging evidence for cognitive health benefits requires further investigation in human trials. Observational studies report associations between FJ and nutrient adequacy and suggest that FJ consumption is associated with reduced risk of stroke. In conclusion, FJ appears to offer more benefit than risk and there appears to be no justification for discouraging FJ within a balanced diet for children and adults. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T11:00:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2f88a54ad139402eac6a15f59245becd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T11:00:15Z |
| publishDate | 2021-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-2f88a54ad139402eac6a15f59245becd2023-11-21T21:33:21ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432021-05-01136181510.3390/nu13061815Fruit Juices: Are They Helpful or Harmful? An Evidence ReviewCarrie H. S. Ruxton0Madeleine Myers1Nutrition Communications, East Road, Cupar KY15 4HQ, UKNon-Diet Nutrition, Shirenewton NP16 6RL, UKDietary guidelines often deal with 100% fruit juice (FJ) inconsistently because it represents a source of free sugars. However, FJ also provides bioavailable micronutrients and plant bioactives at levels similar to those found in whole fruits. The present review weighs up the evidence from high-quality studies investigating a potential health harm for FJ against evidence from studies which indicate a potential health benefit. The findings reveal that FJ consumption, at moderate intakes consistent with the dietary guidelines for the US and some European countries (75–224 mL daily), does not increase the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease or poor glycaemic control. In contrast, regular consumption of FJ—even up to 500 mL per day in short-to-medium-term studies—appears to confer a health benefit in terms of vascular function and reduced blood pressure. Emerging evidence for cognitive health benefits requires further investigation in human trials. Observational studies report associations between FJ and nutrient adequacy and suggest that FJ consumption is associated with reduced risk of stroke. In conclusion, FJ appears to offer more benefit than risk and there appears to be no justification for discouraging FJ within a balanced diet for children and adults.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/6/1815fruit juicecardiovasculartype 2 diabetesobesitynutrient densitycognitive function |
| spellingShingle | Carrie H. S. Ruxton Madeleine Myers Fruit Juices: Are They Helpful or Harmful? An Evidence Review Nutrients fruit juice cardiovascular type 2 diabetes obesity nutrient density cognitive function |
| title | Fruit Juices: Are They Helpful or Harmful? An Evidence Review |
| title_full | Fruit Juices: Are They Helpful or Harmful? An Evidence Review |
| title_fullStr | Fruit Juices: Are They Helpful or Harmful? An Evidence Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fruit Juices: Are They Helpful or Harmful? An Evidence Review |
| title_short | Fruit Juices: Are They Helpful or Harmful? An Evidence Review |
| title_sort | fruit juices are they helpful or harmful an evidence review |
| topic | fruit juice cardiovascular type 2 diabetes obesity nutrient density cognitive function |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/6/1815 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT carriehsruxton fruitjuicesaretheyhelpfulorharmfulanevidencereview AT madeleinemyers fruitjuicesaretheyhelpfulorharmfulanevidencereview |