Walking down the juice aisle at your local Big Y, there are countless flavors and varieties of fruit and vegetable juices available – sometimes as a mixture of both. Head into the Produce and Dairy Departments and you have even more options to choose from. But do you reach for juice and put it in your cart? If not, I’m here to explain why you should.
Juice has gotten a not-so-nice reputation over past years, largely because of its perceived high sugar content, and consumption rates have fallen. But contrary to those beliefs, 100% juice only contains natural sugars which are not counted towards added sugar daily limits and provides many health benefits. Plus, because it’s considered a comfort food – conjuring up memories from childhood – juice is typically a nutritious beverage most people enjoy drinking.
Whether your favorite is orange juice with pulp, tropical mango or refreshing grape, here are a few top reasons to get back to enjoying 100% juice.
- 100% juice helps you reach MyPlate goals. According to research from Produce for Better Health Foundation, 9 out of 10 Americans aren’t eating enough fruits and veggies on a daily basis. This statistic is alarming because of the vast health benefits fruits and vegetables provide. How much should we be aiming for? For an average 2,000-calorie meal plan, it’s recommended to consume 2 cups fruit and 2 ½ cups vegetables each day. Thankfully, drinking 100% juice counts towards these recommendations, making it easier for all of us to hit daily goals. Simply keep portions to no more than 8 ounces per day for adults and 4-6 ounces for children.
- 100% juice provides an important source of vitamins and minerals. Some of the most common nutrients found in juice include vitamins C and A, thiamin, potassium and folate. Additionally, some juices are fortified with other vitamins and minerals, such as calcium and vitamin D. This is important because potassium, vitamin D and calcium are all nutrients of concern – since Americans tend to fall short on their intakes. Another fun fact? Information from the Juice Products Association shows 100% juice drinkers have healthier eating patterns than non-juice drinkers. Juice drinkers have more whole fruits, vitamin C, magnesium and fiber in their meal plans and less saturated fat, total fat, added sugar and sodium.
- 100% juice offers a source of protective plant compounds. When looking at a glass of juice, you’ll notice its vibrant color – the orange of orange juice, purple of grape juice or red of tomato juice. This color comes from the unique antioxidant-acting compounds from the pressed fruit or vegetable. Interestingly, because many juices are made using the entire fruit or vegetable, higher levels of these compounds can be found in their juiced form. For example, commercially produced orange juice contains dramatically higher levels of the antioxidant-acting compound hesperidin because the high pressure releases it from the peels of the orange.
Author’s Note: Andrea Luttrell is a registered dietitian nutritionist for Big Y’s Living Well Eating Smart program. She was recently named as a BusinessWest 40 Under Forty honoree. Have a nutrition question? E-mail her at livingwell@bigy.com or write Living Well at 2145 Roosevelt Ave, Springfield, MA 01102.
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