Is fruit juice as healthy as we think?

Like most people, there is something really refreshing about a glass of juice. It is sweet, tasty, and is fruit, something we are encouraged to increase in our diet.  But is it as great as we think?

A recent bit of research appears to offer a different view. It said that guzzling orange juice is more likely to trigger Type 2 Diabetes than fizzy pop.  This is naturally controversial, but this blog is about presenting evidence so people can make their own minds up.  And HMHB will have their own say at the end.

According to the research, prepared by Harvard University, those who increase the amount of fresh fruit juice by just three and a half glasses a week raise their risk of getting Type 2 Diabetes by 15%. Those upping their consumption of sugary drinks, such as cola or squash, only saw their chances of developing the illness by 9%.  The researches concluded that far from being healthy, natural sugars in freshly squeezed fruit drinks are fuelling the diabetes epidemic.

The research was published in the journal Diabetes Care by Lead Researcher Jean-Phillipe Drouin-Chartier, who studied 200,000 adults for up to 26 years.  He said that sugary drinks should be "replaced with healthier alternatives like water, coffee or tea."  A spokesman for Diabetes UK said "this is a stark reminder that fruit juices are not always the best choice."

However, I think it is fair to look at positives. British Soft Drink Association chief Gavin Partington has said that 150ml of pure fruit juice "counts as one of your five-a-day" and cutting it out risks losing vitamins and nutrients.

Many fruit juices contain those nutrients and antioxidants that help promote a healthy lifestyle. Fruit juice may even relieve the pain experienced from arthritis, and it could possibly reduce your chances of developing a major disease. Cholesterol levels may be reduced by drinking orange juice, apple juice or melon juice, because they are low in fat, and there has been evidence that cranberry juice, rich in antioxidants, may help prevent some infections of the urinary tract, as well as helping to promote a healthy cardiovascular system.

Vitamin C - also known as Ascorbic Acid - is essential for good health and can be found in many fruits. Because our bodies cannot make vitamins we need to ensure we get access to them through our diet. It is also a water soluble vitamin so our bodies don't store Vitamin C. It is great for wound healing, healthy teeth and gums, and a strong immune system.

HMHB Says:
Everything in moderation. If you like fruit juice do have it, but maybe treat it as you do cakes. They are a treat, and not a habit. Sugar is sugar. Calories are calories. Our bodies need sugar (carbs) to survive - your brain runs on glucose. Just watch the intake, and get outdoors more too.