Fruit juices has no health hazard, says wellness expert
ALagos-based wellness expert has debunked claims of health risks associated with fruit juice, stressing that fruit juices do the body no harm. Speaking during a monthly wellness dialogue series, Dr. Bisi Abiola said there is no positive correlation between fruit juice and health risks such as obesity, cancer, diabetes and dental decay.
In the discourse, Abiola, who is also the Managing Director of Indulge Nigeria Limited, noted: “Sugar in 100 percent fruit juice always comes with the fruits that have been juiced. It is never added. The simple sugar found in whole fruit and fruit juices is mostly in form of fructose. Accordingly, the World Health Organisation takes account of natural sugars contained in fruit juices in the ‘free sugars’ category.”
She said, “Juice is an important source of nutrients, and 100 percent fruit juice makes a valuable contribution to your daily intake of Vitamin C.
“A glass of pure orange fruit juice is also a good source of folate and potassium. It is a difficult task for children, and harder for adults to eat the five recommended portions of fruit a day, a problem readily solved by ready to drink fruit juices.”
Abiola admitted that the sugar scare is overshadowing the positive contributions that fruit juice makes to the national health.
She however notes research support “favourable effects of fruit juices on lipid profile and blood pressure.
As for all that sweetness taking its toll on your teeth and causing dental decay, “there is no major evidence of a link with the consumption of fruit or fruit juices, except when related to feeding bottles in early childhood,” she said.
“In a methodical review of the evidence, there exists no reliable evidence of negative impact of 100 percent fruit juice on health, including body weight, cardiovascular disease and risk of type two diabetes.”