Since the time of Hippocrates, mankind has consumed fruit and vegetable juices as a way to increase nutrition and promote healing. Today the juice industry pulls in billions of dollars marketing supposedly healthy products. The stark reality is that many juice products are loaded with added sugar and chemicals. Far from being healthy, many of these products contribute to the epidemic of obesity and diabetes, especially in children. Parents think that giving their children juice promotes health. Look carefully at the label; most common juice products reveal more bad than good. In the ingredients list, high fructose corn syrup, or HFCS, corn syrup solids, or similar ingredients often show up just after water, providing lots of calories. HFCS has been linked to diabetes and severe liver damage in those who consume it even moderately. These products often include artificial colors, sweeteners, and preservatives that have been linked to nervous system toxicity, behavioral problems and learning disorders. A recent study showed that these substances, especially in combination, contribute to symptoms of attention deficit disorder. Many of these compounds are banned in countries like Sweden and Germany. Further confusing the issue, the fresh juice industry suffered a black eye in the mid 1990s after a child died from ingesting e. coli from unpasteurized apple juice. Since that time, the fresh juice industry has adopted flash pasteurization technology, which heats the juice dramatically yet briefly to kill bacteria. The resulting juice maintains most of the color and flavor of unpasteurized juice, but loses some nutrition.
What to Look for
Fresh, unpasteurized juice will always be more nutritious. Yet many don't have the time or the equipment, a home juicer, to prepare fresh juice regularly. Fresh raw juices from a juice bar are a great alternative, but can be expensive. Whenever possible, choose organic juices. Organic food is better tasting and better for the environment, plus strong evidence shows that organic produce is 50 to 100 percent more nutritious.
Common Pitfalls
When juicing at home, vegetables need to be thoroughly washed. In buying juices, seek out only 100 juice products, but even these can be misleading. Some are manufactured from concentrate, which is then diluted with cheaper juices or even tap water. Only the juices that clearly state not from concentrate are truly healthy juices. When seeking a specific juice, for example cranberry, look at the ingredients. Cranberry juice may not be the first ingredient. Manufacturers will substitute a cheaper juice like apple or pear in order to cut costs, while using only a small amount of cranberry for color and flavor. This is especially true for "superfruit" juices like acai and goji berry. Note that the even the best organic fruit juices can be high in sugar and thus may contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess. Vegetable juices like celery, cucumber, spinach, and other greens contain far more nutrition and few calories.
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