GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – Researchers from the University of Glasgow have determined that because of its high sugar content, fruit juice could be just as bad for us as sugar sweetened beverages like carbonated drinks and sodas.
Over 200 study participants were asked to drink pure grape juice. After 3 months, despite the high anti-oxidant properties grapes have, the participants had increased insulin levels and bigger waists.
“One glass of fruit juice contains substantially more sugar than one piece of fruit; in addition, much of the goodness in fruit – fibre, for example –is not found in fruit juice. Although fruit juices contain vitamins and minerals that are mostly absent in sugar sweetened drinks, the level of nutrients in fruit juices may not offset the unhealthy effect that excessive consumption has on the metabolism”, explains Professor Naveed Sattar.
Fruit juice has come under the spotlight as medical experts are looking more closely at the link between high sugar intake and the risk for heart disease. At an American Heart Association conference researchers said “Americans higher consumption of sugary drinks has led to more diabetes and heart disease over the past decade.”
Unlike solid fruit intake, for which high consumption appears linked to reduced or neutral risk for diabetes, high fruit juice intake is linked to raised risk for diabetes. Fruit juice has a similar energy density and sugar content to other sugary drinks for example; 250 ml of apple juice typically contains 110 calories and 26 grams of sugar while 250 ml of cola typically contains 105 calories and 26.5 grams of sugar. The researchers urge consumers to read the labels of the beverages you drink.
If you are trying to keep your sugar levels balanced, you might want to check the sugar content in your next bottle of juice before you drink it.
Have a healthy day,
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