Did you know that most fruit juices
we drink everyday have anywhere from seven to twelve teaspoons of sugar?
What
we consider "healthy", a lot of times has the same, if not even more
sugar than soda. Most of the children and adults I have observed in my daily
life drink about 3-4 cups of juice per day. Keep in mind that according to Mayo
Clinic, anyone over the age of 7 should not be drinking more than 8-12 ounces
per day, which is equivalent to about 1-2 cups of juice. Watching the amount of
juice we drink everyday can greatly impact our well-being and health for years
to come.
Now this is not to say we should not drink fruit juices...
When choosing a fruit juice look for 100% juice and stay away from juice cocktails and added sugars. By doing this you are not necessarily cutting the calories, but you are at least avoiding additives and getting more vitamins and minerals. Also keep in mind that you can always make amazing fruit juices from home!
Juice, if in moderation and made at home, can be a great way to get your daily serving of fruits: 4 ounces of 100% fruit juice equals one serving of fruit. Just always remember to never completely substitute and only have juice, as it lacks the fiber and other nutrients of whole fruit.
Enjoy your Fruit and Drink it too!
Good Juice Options and Benefits:
Pomegranate Juice
Pomegranate juice tops the
list. It's high in sugar and calories, but delivers an abundant dose of
antioxidants. These substances appear to protect brain function and may ward
off cancer. In one study, 8 ounces of pomegranate juice daily reduced the
recurrence of prostate cancer.
Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice is packed with
vitamin C, which is extremely important to support a healthy immune system. There is also evidence to
support a folk remedy -- drinking unsweetened cranberry juice may help reduce
your risk of urinary tract infections.
Blueberry Juice
Substances in blueberries may help
keep the brain healthy. In a small study, researchers looked at the effect of
blueberry juice on memory in adults in their seventies who had age-related
memory decline. Those who drank 2 1/2 cups of blueberry juice for 12 weeks had
significant improvement on learning and memory tests compared to those who
drank a non-juice beverage. So choose blueberry juice to boost brain health.
Acai Berry Juice
Researchers have only begun looking
into the health benefits of acai juice, which is made from a berry found in
South America. But early studies are promising. Acai pulp appears to have a
higher concentration of antioxidants than cranberries, blackberries,
strawberries, or blueberries.
Cherry Juice
Besides delivering a wealth of
antioxidants, some berry juices appear to have anti-inflammatory properties.
According to one study, drinking cherry juice before and after your work-out
can reduce exercise-induced muscle pain.
Red Grape Juice
We've all heard that red wine, in
moderation, can be good for the heart. The same is true of red grape juice. Red
grape juice contains potent antioxiodants -- flavanoids and resveratrol. The
key is that wine and juice are made with the entire grape -- seeds, skin, and
all. When you eat fresh grapes, you miss out on nutrients hiding in the seeds.
Prune Juice
Another viable folk remedy, prune
juice has long been recommended to relieve constipation. It works because it's
extremely high in fiber and contains a natural laxative called sorbitol. But
the benefits of prune juice don't stop there. The juice is also packed with
antioxidants, iron, and potassium.
