Can you compare 100% pure fruit juices to soft drinks ?
Excess sugar consumption has become a cause for concern to experts as well as to a growing number of consumers who care about good nutrition – so much so that some people are comparing 100% pure fruit juices to soft drinks. Is that a fair comparison?
Excess sugar consumption has become a cause for concern to experts as well as to a growing number of consumers who care about good nutrition – so much so that some people are comparing 100% pure fruit juices to soft drinks. Is that a fair comparison?
No, it is not. First of all, the natural sugar in 100% pure fruit juice is not added sugar, and it is a source of energy that your body needs.
Further, pure juices basically have the same properties that you find in fresh, ripe whole fruits and vegetables. For example, orange fruit and 100% pure orange juice contain roughly the same quantities of minerals (iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc) and of vitamin B6, C and E, which are not present in soft drinks.1
No, it is not. First of all, the natural sugar in 100% pure fruit juice is not added sugar, and it is a source of energy that your body needs.
Further, pure juices basically have the same properties that you find in fresh, ripe whole fruits and vegetables. For example, orange fruit and 100% pure orange juice contain roughly the same quantities of minerals (iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc) and of vitamin B6, C and E, which are not present in soft drinks.1
100% pure fruit juices are a nutritious and delicious alternative to drinks with added sugar. However, it is important to distinguish between 100% pure fruit juice and “fruit drinks,” and be sure that the list of ingredients includes the claim “no added sugar.”
According to Canada’s Food Guide, many people consume fewer than the Guide’s recommended five to ten portions of fruits and vegetables each day. For them, 100% pure fruit juices are a sensible and practical option to help ensure they get their daily portions of fruits and vegetables. Since 100% pure juice is naturally nutritious and reinforces a diet balanced in essential vitamins and minerals, they are a good complement to a wholesome diet.
Lassonde firmly believes that 100% pure fruit juice is a healthy choice and an ally in the quest to meet the nutritional goals set out in Canada’s Food Guide.
1 Comparison of vitamins and minerals (adapted from the USDA National Nutrient Database).
