Healthy Kids Blog: Are Fruit Juices Healthy Drinks for Kids?

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Are Fruit Juices Healthy Drinks for Kids? Posted: 07 Mar 2012 12:02 PM PST Last fall the results of a Consumer Reports investigation showed there were disturbing levels of arsenic and lead levels in apple juice and grape juice. Inorganic arsenic is a human carcinogen and small amounts of lead can seriously effect physical and mental development. Many kids regularly drink juice and it’s a big contributor to arsenic and lead exposure. http://news.consumerreports.org/safety/2011/11/consumer-reports-tests-juices-for-arsenic-and-lead.html In January of this year, a fungicide linked to liver tumors and hormone-disruption was found in orange juice from Brazil. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204124204577154813627399478.html And just a few days ago, more of the fungicide was found in imported juice. These imports were from Brazil and other countries. http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/03/02/3-more-orange-juice-imports-positive-for-fungicide-fda-says/ This is all very disturbing since kids drink a lot juice. When most parents consider healthy drinks for kids, they think of juice. But is it really that healthy? Fruit Juices are Not Healthy Drinks for Kids Fruit juice is not a whole food and adds little nutritional value. Juicing removes the fiber, and unless the juice is freshly squeezed and consumed immediately, most of the nutrients are lost. Commercial canned, bottled, or boxed juices are mostly just fruit sugar (even if you buy unsweetened) and contain pesticides if not organic. So if your kids are sipping on juice throughout the day, they are getting a constant sugar hit, and if it’s not balanced with plenty of quality protein, fats, and fiber, this can cause blood sugar problems. A child who drinks a lot of fruit juices may also be susceptible to yeast overgrowth since yeast feeds on the excess sugar. This can lead to chronic nasal congestion, eczema, or throat and ear infections. In addition, some fruit juices contain sorbitol, which isn’t absorbed well and can create gas and bloating or even chronic diarrhea. Apple juice has high sorbitol levels. White grape juice doesn’t contain sorbitol and may be tolerated better than other juices, although you still have the problem with sugar and pesticides. Drinking large amounts of juice can also decrease the appetite. If your kids drink a lot of juice, they may not have an appetite for the food they really need. If your kids are drinking too much fruit juice, you may want to begin to wean them by diluting one-third juice with two-thirds water. Then you can slowly cut the juice out altogether. Pure water and freshly juiced or squeezed vegetable/fruit juices are healthy drinks for kids.

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