"Inclusion of fruit juice, in amounts consistent with dietary recommendations, as part of a healthy diet can provide important nutrients without increasing weight in children."

- Nicklas et al. American Journal of Health Promotion. March/April 2010.

CDC Database Analysis: Juice Consumers have
Healthier Diets, Eat More Whole Fruit

100 percent juice consumption also not associated
with overweight in children

WASHINGTON DC (June 2, 2008) - New research published June 2 in the prestigious Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine shows that mom was right all along--a serving of juice provides children with a great start to the day and is associated with other good things, namely a more nutritious diet.

According to Baylor College of Medicine's child nutrition researcher Dr. Theresa Nicklas, and her colleagues, children ages 2-11 who drank any amount of 100 percent juice ("juice consumers") had healthier overall diets than "non-juice consumers." The research analysis found that juice consumers ate less total fat, saturated fat, sodium, added sugars and added fats vs. non-juice consumers. Also, juice consumers ate more total fruit (including whole fruit) servings than non-juice consumers, and there was no negative effect on milk consumption, which appears to be a common misconception.

In addition, the study confirms findings from the 2005 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans Advisory Committee report, noting that juice consumers were found to have higher intakes of a number of key nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, folate, B6 and iron.

One disconcerting finding according to Dr. Nicklas is that 57 percent of the children in the 2-to-11 age group drank no juice at all, which has an effect on fruit intake as well. The report from the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Advisory Committee, of which she was a member, recommends that one of the fruit servings come from 100% fruit juice.

The study in the Archives looks at dietary intakes of 3,618 children ages 2-11 using the well-known National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). NHANES is an ongoing data collection initiative through the Centers for Disease Control and Promotion (CDC) to obtain generalized information about the health and diet of the U.S. population. It also is the database upon which obesity rates in the United States are based.

According to Dr. Nicklas, "We did not find a relationship between 100 percent juice consumption and the incidence of overweight among children." She underscored, "There was greater risk of overweight for some children who did not drink any juice at all." Thus, the research also confirms what a recent extensive review of the literature also revealed: 100 percent juice consumption is not associated with young children being overweight or at risk for becoming overweight.

Even among the children who consumed the most juice, the researchers found no association at all with the children being overweight or at risk for overweight. The mean consumption for this 2-to-11 year old population was 4.1 ounces (about ½ cup), an amount that is consistent with recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Although there were some children (13 percent) in this age group who consumed larger amounts of juice (12 ounces or more), their increased consumption was not associated with overweight.

Factors used by NHANES to determine bodyweight calculations include body mass index, waist circumference, tricep skinfold, and two other special measurements that are designed to monitor children's growth.

# # #

For further information, view full study: http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/162/6/557

 

Back to News Archive