Fruit Juice Myth

Fruit juices like grape juice and apple juice are touted to be healthy alternatives to eating the whole fruit.  I have even seen fruit juice concentrates in more products lately as the food industry tries to keep up with our demands to eat healthier.  Don’t be fooled, fruit juices are just NOT as “healthy” as you may think.

If you’re avoiding soda due to the astronomically high sugar content but replacing it with popular fruit juices, I have some bad news. Most fruit juices out there contain tons of sugar.   While many of them boast “no added sugar,” drinking too much of even the most naturally sourced sugars can impact your health the same way drinking a can of Coke.  Here’s an example, a cup of Welch’s 100% Grape Juice brings 36 grams of sugar, while 10 ounces of Minute Maid Apple Juice has 32 grams, each with more sugar than plenty of your favorite sweet treats, like a York Peppermint Pattie (26 grams) and a Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar with Almonds, with 19 grams.  Yes, the source of sugar is different than a spoonful of sugar, however, these drinks are missing the most important nutrients found in a regular orange, fiber and vitamins.  So, before you reach for a fruit juice alternative or hand your child that sippy cup full of juice, be aware that a little is fine each day, but it needs to be consumed in moderation.  Grab an apple or a handful of grapes instead.