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This Juice Gives You the Most Essential Nutrients
By Victor Marchione, M.D. on 11/25/2010
While fruit is a critical part of a nutritious daily diet, the fact is that most Americans do not consume the recommended amount each day. Thus, they do not get their fill of the essential nutrients that power the body’s many processes and protect it from disease.
Thus, finding quick and simple ways to add additional fruit servings — and the wide scope of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients they contain — is more critical than ever. Though the USDA recognizes that a four-ounce serving of 100% juice supplies one serving (1/2 cup) of fruit, confusion still runs through the consumer marketplace. How healthy is juice?
New research presented last week at the American Dietetic Association’s Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo highlighted the benefits of 100% juice. It revealed that fruit juice drinkers were more likely than non-juice drinkers to have strong levels of key nutrients.
The new study examined a nationally representative sample of adults and found that drinking 100% fruit juice was closely linked to improved nutrient intake. More specifically, the researchers used data from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to compare intake of nutrients most frequently under-consumed by Americans among those who drank juice and those who didn’t.
According to researchers, adults who did not drink fruit juice were more likely to fall below recommended levels for several vital nutrients. These included vitamins A and C, and the mineral magnesium. As well, a greater percentage of those consuming fruit juice exceeded recommended levels for calcium and potassium — two important minerals for promoting bone health and regulating blood pressure.
The study supports the role of fruit juice as a nutrient-dense beverage filled with valuable vitamins and minerals. The researchers believe that drinking 100% fruit juice is an excellent way to ensure your nutrient levels are high, and believe juice should be encouraged as part of an overall balanced diet.
Juice is an excellent way to digest nutrients, as your body doesn’t have to deal with the fibrous nature of the actual fruit. The best juice is self-made at home using a juicer; though, since this can be laborious, many people opt for juice from the grocery store. Look for options that are not from concentrate and do not have any added sugar.
Printer-friendly versionAbout the author
Dr. Victor Marchione received his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1973 and his Medical Degree from the University of Messina in 1981. He has been licensed and practicing medicine in New York and New Jersey for over 20 years.
Dr. Marchione is a respected leader in the field of smoking cessation and pulmonary medicine. He has been featured on ABC News and World Report, CBS Evening News with Dan Rather and the NBC Today Show and is the editor of the popular The Food Doctor newsletter.
Dr. Marchione has also served as Principal Investigator in at least a dozen clinical research projects relating to serious ailments such as bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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Comments
Anonymous
I read this twice and could not find which juice is "This juice."
If you can find which juice is "THIS" juice please help
Charles
"This juice...." Which juice? With a title like that, one would think a particular juice would be recommended. I hoped that the article would address the common concern that juice has too much sugar, and it's better to eat an orange, than drink a glass of orange juice. Even juicing raises a question: "Aren't we better off with more fiber?" I start my day with what I consider the best "off the shelf" juice: Trader Joe low sodium garden patch. I then use my vitamixer to supplement with broccoli sprouts, beets, and whatever fresh greens are handy. I don't think it can be beet. (sic, not sick).
Charles
Lucille
The above article on fruit juice made me think about how I
might make eating canned cherries and their juice more
palatable. I eat them to keep down arthritis pain and because I like them but they ARE tart! Even if they are good
to eat 3 or 4 cherries are about my limit to eat straight from
the can. I am considering making them into a blender drink
and add banana for a more pleasing drink. What else would
be a good combination? Or an addition?
WhataWhat
Charles when I read the the article I understood the Dr. to mean 100% fruit juice with no added sugar as opposed to say those "cocktails" that are packed with sugar or the ones that areonly partially juice or even vegetable juices.
Penny
Charles, I asked the same question, but you stated it better than I. Thanks for the additional info on Trader Joe's juice.
Anonymous
(Response to Comment #3 from Jim Healthy)
Hi, Lucille. I too have arthritis and have solved your cherry problem. I juice fresh cherries from my trees every summer and then freeze the juice in 10-12 oz. portions. During the winter, I mix 100% unsweetened pomegranate juice (I like Knudsen's brand) with the cherry juice and stretch it with some apple juice (also from my summer harvest) -- or you can use green tea brewed with fresh ginger, both are teriffic anti-inflammatory agents. I find a few ounces of this everyday is really helpful in the prevention of pain and inflammation. (You can find the recipe for Jim Healthy's Joint Juice on pp. 33-34 Of my book, ARTHRITIS INTERRUPTED, available at www.arthritishealingbook.com). Also see my Arhtritis "Power Smoothie" on page 56. I hope this helps you as much as it does me. Jim Healthy www.myhealingkitchen.com
Steve
I make a Yogurt smootie, with strawberries and OJ.
1/4 cup water
1/4-1/3 OJ concentrate out of the can. Not mixed with water. I am making only one serving. Which is about 4 cups!!
4-5 frozen strawberries
If you have something tart, the strawberries mask the flavor. I was doing CRANBERRIES, a hand full with the mix. And you can barely taste any bitterness.
Mixed in a blender, and put in a 4 cup pyrex measuring cup. That is breakfast for me generally.
Be Well and Happy.
Steve
Anonymous
The answer was found in the last paragraph
The best juice is self-made at home using a juicer; though, since this can be laborious, many people opt for juice from the grocery store. Look for options that are not from concentrate and do not have any added sugar
Tom
Don't go for store bought juices unless they are prepared fresh on site. Juices that you buy off the shelf will be pasteurized, which destroys much of the vitamin content. Even the so-called "fresh" unpasteurized juices such as Odwalla and Naked will have lost much of their nutrient content because they have been sitting on the shelf for more than a few days.
yeap
dr.,
which is better juice from juicer or blended juice?
kindly enlighten
thank you
Anonymous
What I believe is that eating raw fruits is healthier than drinking fruit juice, as fruit juice is high glycemic and raises bllod sugar levels and thereby blood insulin levels.
The human body is not designed to process too much sugar in a short span of time.
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