100 percent juice consumption tackles weight problems, finds study

Young people are drinking 100 percent fruit juice with added sensory variants had a diet rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate, potassium and iron, according to a new study.The survey suggests that 12 - to 18-year-old teenagers who consumed 100 percent juice, consumed less food containing diet and saturated fat and concentrated more on nutritious food that helped them in maintaining a healthy body weight.

Researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine has initiated study found that teenagers consume more than six ounces of pure juice ate more whole fruits than non consumers.

Dr. Theresa Nicklas, lead author of the present investigation says, "Promoting the consumption of nutritious foods and beverages such as 100 percent juice is especially critical during adolescence - an unprecedented period of higher nutrient requirements."

"One hundred percent juice is a good choice. It contains important nutrients that growing teenagers' needs and the research consistently shows that drinking fruit juice is not associated with obesity," he added.

Study Details

For research, the researchers examined data collected by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which interviewed more than 3,900 young people aged between 12-18 years about their diet and conducted medical and physical examination of the study participants.

Twenty eight percent of young respondents drank a 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice on the day of investigation.

The study found that the juice-drinking adolescents consumed a healthier diet and avoid products that consist of artificial sweeteners and fats.

According to Dr. Nicklas, the study also found no link between drink 100 percent fruit juice and weight gain.

More research needed

The results of the present research entirely reciprocate previous studies that link the consumption of juice with obesity in youth. Although the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting fruit juice consumption for all children, including teenagers.

Dr. Alice Ammerman, director of the department of nutrition at the Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina said: "Given that this study was conducted with adolescents, it is a potentially very different study population with regard to eating preferences and behavior. "

"It would be very interesting to see how far the 100 percent juice can replace sugar-sweetened beverages such as sodas and sports drinks, thus providing more nutrients with similar calories," she added.

The study and its results are described in the March / April issue of American Journal of Health Promotion under the title "Relationship between 100% juice consumption and nutrient intakes and weight of young."