100% pure fruit juice—an ally in reaching the goals of Canada’s Food Guide
Health Canada is reviewing its stance on recommending fruit juice in its next version of Canada’s Food Guide. In the debate, some argue against juice, going so far as to compare it to soft drinks. In response, Lassonde wants to reaffirm its conviction that 100% pure fruit juice is a healthy choice; indeed, it is an ally in reaching the healthy nutritional goals of Canada’s Food Guide.
Certainly, a food guide should not be frozen in time. Every year, new knowledge is gained in the science of nutrition, and it is only natural for Canada’s Food Guide to be periodically updated in light of these findings.
However, the vast majority of studies continues to demonstrate the beneficial effects of the daily consumption of juice. A study recently published in Public Health Nutrition stated that “children and adolescents consuming 100% fruit juice had significantly higher intakes of certain vitamins and minerals”.
Furthermore, fruit juice is a recognized source of vitamin C, folate, magnesium, and potassium and contain a multitude of phytonutrients.
An important presence
If Lassonde believes that fruit juice has a place in Canada’s Food Guide, it is, among other things, because juice can help improve nutritional status in two areas of concern. On one hand, many people fail to eat the recommended number of daily Food Guide servings of fruits and vegetables. For these people, fruit juice is a fast and easy, complementary, not competitive, intake. On the other hand, because sweetened beverages are very popular with young people and adults, 100% pure fruit juice is both a nutritious and tasty alternative to beverages with added sugar.
Partner for healthy choices
That being said, whatever the decision of Health Canada regarding the presence of juice in the Canada Food Guide, Lassonde will continue to work with the federal government and other concerned partners to ensure that Canadians have access to the best information possible when making healthy choices for their families.
Sasithorn Tajchakavit, Ph.D., CFS
Scientific Director
Further reading:
Une nutritionniste à la défense du jus (Le Soleil, May 21, 2015) http://www.lapresse.ca/le-soleil/actualites/sante/201505/20/01-4871242-une-nutritionniste-a-la-defense-du-jus.php
Canada’s Food Guide http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/index-eng.php
It’s Nutrition Month: Know Your Juice! (Lassonde blog, March 6, 2013) http://lassonde.beauvoir.int/en/blog/its-nutrition-month-know-your-juice
