Is fruit juice good for you? Learn what the experts have to say

Is fruit juice good for you? Learn what the experts have to say

(ARA) - Fruit juice is something people of all ages enjoy, from toddlers to seniors. One glass is often the perfect way to start the day, as a refreshing treat, or a tasty mealtime staple.

Recently, though, there has been confusion whether juice is good for you or not. Many question the quantity you should drink or how much real fruit juice is in the beverages we consume. With many differing opinions about juice, it's easy to feel uncertain. The good news is nutrition experts agree that juice can be part of a healthy diet. The key is knowing what to look for.

The reality is that adults and adolescents in the U.S. are not eating enough fruits and vegetables. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently unveiled their recommendations for Americans with the new USDA's 2010 Dietary Guidelines. The new guidelines recommend that half your plate be filled with fruits and vegetables at every meal and snacking occasion. Fruits and vegetables can help people get essential nutrients such as vitamins C and E, potassium, magnesium and calcium, which the USDA says we're not getting enough of. The good news is that a variety of foods can help satisfy those fruit servings - fresh fruit, dried fruits, canned fruits and 100 percent fruit juice.

How do you know if you're choosing the right juice?

With so many juices on the market, it's hard to tell the sugar-infused "drinks" apart from the beneficial fruit juices. The key is to read the label and to choose juices that are 100 percent fruit juice or have no added sugar.  

For example, look for juices that are a good source of fiber, potassium and magnesium. Fresh plum juice, such as Sunsweet's PlumSmart or Sunsweet Prune Juice, is a good source of these nutrients and one 8-ounce glass counts as one serving of fruit.

Need another reason to add juice to your diet? Here are some other ways 100 percent fruit juice contributes to a healthy diet:

* It may help maintain a healthy digestive system - Fiber-rich juices such as prune juice have long been accepted as an effective digestive aid, largely due to its gentle, laxative effect. Sunsweet PlumSmart is also clinically proven to help maintain digestive health.

* They contribute to the daily fruit requirement - One hundred percent fruit juice was a primary contributor to the percentage of total fruit intake, according to a recently published study by The Medscape Journal of Medicine. The study showed that fewer than one in 10 American adults and adolescents met their calorie-specific fruit recommendation. Thus, without the inclusion of 100 percent fruit juice in their diets, Americans would be even further from their daily fruit requirements and would be missing out on the key nutrients.

* Juice can enhance nutrient density of diets without affecting the calorie density - One hundred percent fruit juice often provides a more concentrated source of vitamins and minerals. The appropriate consumption of 100 percent juice is actually associated with a more nutritious diet overall.

* Drinking 100 percent juice has not been shown to increase the risk of weight gain or obesity among children, adolescents or adults. Contradictory to many misconceptions, based on the currently available scientific evidence there is no systematic association between the consumption of 100 percent fruit juice and the risk of becoming overweight or obese. This is the case in both children and adolescents.

* If you're watching your sugar intake, try mixing 100 percent fruit juice with water to reduce the sugar and calories per serving.  Also look on product labels for reduced calorie (light) juices, the absence of high fructose corn syrup and no sugar added.  

For more information about the power of juice, visit www.Sunsweet.com.