Fruit Juice is Poison

Posted by Mr Cynical (1044 days ago)

I was told that fruit juice is not good for you. It has massive sugar content and most doctors recommend avoiding it.

Is this correct?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

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Posted by docboat (1044 days ago)

If you come across such a doctor - run as fast as you can and get a good doctor.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Mr Cynical (1044 days ago)

Here's an article for you doc. High in calories, elevates blood sugar (diabetes), and worst of all most fruit juice is not pure its full of added sugar so little better than drinking a can of coke.

Is fruit juice unhealthy?

The answer to this question depends on how it’s consumed, and what foods it replaces. Fruit juice that has been robbed of its fiber and broad range of nutrients is basically just a concentrated source of sugar that lacks the supportive nutrients to help it digest and metabolize. Fruit juice elevates blood sugar more quickly than whole fruit, and the level of sugar that can be obtained from fruit juice is higher than the level found in whole fruit. For example, 120 calories’ worth of whole apples contains about 24 grams of sugar, while 120 calories’ worth of apple juice contains about 30 grams.

Additionally, many fruit juices that are sold in supermarkets contain only a small percentage of real fruit juice, and contain added sweeteners (sucrose or high fructose corn syrup). As a result, it is easy to consume a large amount of calories without getting any actual nutrition when you consume these beverages. Make sure you read fruit juice labels carefully! Turn over on the back of the jar or bottle, and look over the ingredient list - you may be surprised to see exactly where the fruit itself fits in!
Practical tips

If fruit juice is the only “convenience” choice for replacing a canned soda pop, we’re all in favor of fruit juice versus soda pop. If fruits are juiced together with vegetables, the pulp is retained, and juicing allows a person to increase his or her intake of vegetables substantially, then we also would support this step (especially if you use a home juicer that allowed close to 100% retention of the pulp and skin.) However, in most cases, the switch from whole fruit to fruit juice can only be made at the expense of full nourishment and health.
References

Birt, D. F.; Pelling, J. C.; Nair, S., and Lepley, D. Diet intervention for modifying cancer risk. Prog Clin Biol Res. 1996; 395:223-34.

Boss, P. K.; Davies, C., and Robinson, S. P. Expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway genes in red and white grapes. Plant Mol Biol. 1996 Nov; 32(3):565-9.

Kootstra, A. Protection from UV-B-induced DNA damage by flavonoids. Plant Mol Biol. 1994 Oct; 26(2):771-4.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by docboat (1044 days ago)

You asked about fruit juice, not faux-fruit juice. If you want high sugar, additives and preservatives, then drink faux-fruit juice and beware.

But fruit juice should be just fruit juice. Unless, of course, you subscribe to the full-blown consumer society, with all the adulteration of foods, procesed foods and all the unhealthy connotations inherent. Such people are needed, as they form the backbone of a doctor's waiting room.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Mr Cynical (1044 days ago)

From what I read even pure fruit juice is not very good because it is very high in sugar content, I think that you will find that nutritionists strongly suggest it be avoided because it contributes to obesity and high blood sugar.

I think it goes without saying that less than 100% fruit juice is bad news.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Claire (1044 days ago)

From Cancer Research UK

"Eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day is an essential part of a healthy, balanced diet. By following the 5-a-day guidelines, you could reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease and other conditions...

Fruit juice can also only count towards one portion a day. This is because they are high in nutrients but low in fibre. And extracting the juice releases sugars which are bad for your teeth."

Too many people don't eat enough fruit and veggies so, for them, drinking a fruit juice is better than nothing. But I wonder how many brush their teeth afterwards.

(I am based in Unspecified)

Posted by Ed (1044 days ago)

On the Glycemic Index fruit juice is a no - no...

But then based on the habits of most people its better to drink fruit juice over beer, soda pop, and whatever other crap most people consume each day...

Instead of fruit juice try a glass of water with a squirt of lemon juice - gives it a bit of taste with minimal sugar and some vitamin c.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by docboat (1044 days ago)

Indeed. It is not the fruit juice (pure, real, natural) that is the problem, but rather the approach one takes to nutrition. The very idea that a natural food should be inherently unhealthy is abhorrent. It is a matter of proportion.

The same idea can be said of potatos. They are healthy. Eat too many, and they become unhealthy. But note well - most doctors (almost all?) know less on nutrition than your grandmother. Do not listen to them much on this topic.

As for processed and adulterated foods - leave them well alone.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Witley (1044 days ago)

I've heard dentists advising advising not to clean teeth immediately after drinking fruit (orange, grapefruit, lemon) juice because the acids in these juices can 'strip' the enamel and brushing them while the acids are still coating your teeth will exacerbate this.

Fruit juice are clearly nutrionally better than chemically-riddled fizzy pop, but they still contain calories.

Aim for moderation in everything (especially moderation)!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Pumpkin (1043 days ago)

It is true that fruit juice - at the wrong time of the day, taken alone will spike blood sugar levels and cause a crash/craving for sugar shortly after....if it didn't elevate levels so well, why is it that orange juice is what they give to diabetics who need to get their levels up rapidly?

So taken for example alone at breakfast, it will not do you any good....mitigate its effects with other foods and its ability to raise blood sugar is lessened somewhat.

Whole fruits are invariably better as the flesh contains natural fibre which counters the natural sugars.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by tobeysmom (264 days ago)

i heard from dentist that the apple juice from concentrate is super bad for your teeth (esp kids), but fresh squeezed is ok.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by freezingpan (131 days ago)

Just go "Natural" folks and consume everything in moderation. I know most of my buddys make juice at home or else eat fruits just as they are.....TIP - try the local fruit juice shops, they dont put any sugar or additives, its made right in front of you, what can be better than that.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by janethk (104 days ago)

You need to define what it truly means when you talk about fruit juice: There are fruit juice drinks, 'juices' or juice drinks made from fruit concentrates, fresh fruit juices, etc - Many definitions that beverage companies come up with to attract the average consumer. Most cartons also have labels saying 'No Sugar Added' which does not mean there is NO sugar at all in the drink or juice. The best way is to drink freshly squeezed fruit juice and, agreed with some contributors here, always consume in moderation.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by selda (104 days ago)

homemade fruit juice is perfectly healthy,
what is not is the stuff you buy in supermarkets, convenience stores, vending machines.

I remember my shock when i first went to the UK in the late 70s and lived with a family that never bought fruit for their kids, they told me that their kids got enough vitamins from the chemical tasting orange liquid they drank with their breakfast every day. They called it 'orange juice', but to me it tasted very diffferent from the orange squash i used to drink at home.

I always thought that people who drink processed fruit juice are simply lazy. Why pay more for some bottled stuff when you can eat real fruit, or make your own juice with a juicer? Convenience is just another word for laziness.

(I am based in Unspecified)

Posted by Thames (104 days ago)

Yes, pure fruit juice is perfectly healthy as part of a balanced diet, but the latest is that drinking loads of it (apple juice is apparently the worst offender) can bring on diabetes. I guess it makes sense, as there's shed-loads of sugar (fructose) in juice, however natural it may be.
The acids in orange and grapefruit juices can also destroy tooth enamel.
Then there's the fact that you need to be wary of taking some medication with juices, especially grapefruit, as they can make it less effective.
Also I wonder how much vitamin content is intact after fruit has been sitting for weeks or even months in storage and in the sun before being juiced. Still, they've got to be better than chemically enhanced drinks.
Whatever, it's all down to moderation...

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Ed (104 days ago)

I read something from a nutritionist that indicated same Thames - the women warned against guzzling even fresh fruit juice because it contains too much sugar... a glass once or twice a day is apparently ok but replacing water as your drink of choice with fruit is apparently not a good idea.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by MilkMonster Laughs (91 days ago)

It takes 6-8 oranges to make a glass of orange juice. You wouldn't normally be able to eat that many oranges, so yes, fruit juice - even freshly made should be taken in moderation.

(I am based in Hong Kong)