- Fruit juices offer great taste and health benefits that are found naturally in 100% juice.
- 100% juices are nutritious, either naturally or when fortified, with nutrients such as vitamin C, calcium and vitamin D.
- 100% juices are fat-free and are rich in vitamins, minerals and naturally occurring phytonutrients that contribute to good health.
- Phytonutrients are compounds in fruits, vegetables and other plants that researchers find have disease preventative and disease fighting properties.
- Phytonutrients in 100% juices are not listed on the Nutrition Facts panel.
- 100% juices are considered nutritionally rich or nutrient-dense foods since they offer multiple nutrients (vitamins, minerals and naturally occurring phytonutrients) in each ½ cup serving.
- Hundreds of studies have demonstrated that the nutrients found in 100% juices offer health benefits.
- While the calorie content can vary a little from juice to juice, most 100% fruit juices have only 60-80 calories per each ½ cup of nutritionally rich juice.
- The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend consumption of several cups per day of fruits and vegetables, and acknowledge the role that 100% juice can play as part of the fruit allowance.
- The new USDA MyPyramid food guidance program lists portion sizes and amounts of 100% juice for children and adults.
- The most widely used government food consumption databases illustrate that children and teenagers generally are drinking 100% fruit juices in amounts recommended by health professionals, including the American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Children and adults should consume a healthy, balanced diet that does not include excessive amounts of any food or beverage.
- Any individual who may be consuming fruit juice in excessive amounts is encouraged to start consuming juice in amounts that are appropriate for their caloric and healthy lifestyle needs.
What is 100% juice?
100% juice is the liquid obtained from a fruit or vegetable.
How can you tell if a product is 100% fruit juice?
All juice products are required under the law to list the total percent juice content on the product’s information panel.
How does 100% juice fit into a healthy diet?
100% juices can and do play a role in a healthy diet because they offer great taste and a variety of important nutrients found naturally in fruits and vegetables. They are a convenient way for adults and children to get a part of their recommended 4-1/2 or more cups of fruits and vegetables each day. When portion size and frequency are appropriate, consumers can choose 100% juices as a substitute for whole fruits and vegetables according to the USDA’s latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the new MyPyramid food guidance program. Both recommend consumption of several cups per day of fruits and vegetables, depending on one’s age, sex, and level of physical activity.
Do the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans support children consuming 100% juices?
The 2005 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Report, upon which the Dietary Guidelines for Americans is based, notes that current juice intake is consistent with the recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):
To limit fruit juice to no more than 4 to 6 ounces per day for children age 1 to 6 years and 8 to 12 ounces per day for children age 7 to 18 years.
National food intake surveys on which this Committee Report is based show that consumption of 100% juice by children is well within the AAP guidelines.
How nutritious are 100% juices?
100% juices are nutritious, either naturally or when fortified. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that individuals consume fruit and vegetable juices to obtain recommended amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folate and potassium. 100% juices also contain an array of phytonutrients, which are not listed on the Nutrition Facts panel. These naturally occurring plant compounds found in fruits, vegetables and other plants that researchers find have disease preventative and disease fighting properties.
Where does 100% juice fit into the USDA’s new My Pyramid food guidance system?
According to MyPyramid, “Any fruit or 100% fruit juice counts as part of the fruit group. Fruits may be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried, and may be whole, cut-up, or pureed.” In general, 1/2 cup of fruit or 100% fruit juice equals ½ cup from the fruit group. More information about selecting a healthful diet and where fruit juice fits in can be found at www.mypyramid.gov.
What do research studies show regarding the amount of 100% juice children are consuming?
The latest research that evaluates the amount of 100% juice consumed shows that children are consuming these nutritious fruit juices in the amounts recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. According to the latest data, the average consumption for children under the age of six was at or below the AAP recommendation.
100% fruit juices can and do play a role in helping consumers eat the required five or more servings of fruits and vegetable each day. Here is what the U.S. government’s most up-to-date guidance documents say:
According to http://www.mypyramid.gov/pyramid/fruits.html, “Any fruit or 100% fruit juice counts as part of the fruit group. Fruits may be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried, and may be whole, cut-up, or pureed.”
In general, 1 cup of fruit or 100% fruit juice, or ½ cup of dried fruit can be considered as 1 cup from the fruit group. Likewise, ½ cup of juice or fruit equals ½ cup from the fruit group.
The 2005 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Report, upon which the Dietary Guidelines for Americans is based, notes that current juice intake is consistent with the recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):
To limit fruit juice to no more than 4 to 6 ounces per day for children age 1 to 6 years and 8 to 12 ounces per day for children age 7 to 18 years.
National food intake surveys on which this Committee Report is based show that consumption of 100% juice by children is well within the AAP Guidelines.
The Guidelines also note, “Fruit juices provide substantial contributions of several vitamins and minerals in higher amounts than do whole fruits.”
Called PHYTONUTRIENTS or PHYTOCHEMICALS, these natural active compounds are found in plant foods like fruits, vegetables and their juices. Phytonutrients are natural bioactive compounds found in plant foods that work with other plant nutrients and dietary fiber to help protect against disease and to help promote good health.
Pronounced “fight-o-nutrients” (or "fight-o-chemicals”), they are believed to have positive effects on health, including acting like antioxidants to inhibit destructive activity that oxidation can cause throughout the body. Some researchers believe there are more than 900 different phytonutrients so far in plant foods and more will be identified and researched in the future.
Names such as lycopene, resveratrol, lutein, limonene and quercetin are starting to become more and more familiar to consumers as research continues to identify why these nutrients make fruits and vegetables so healthy. Although these compounds are not listed on the Nutrition Facts panel of any fruit, vegetable or juice, Mother Nature has put them there for good reason.
Want more information on phytonutrients?
- There is no scientifically sound reason for children or adults to stop drinking 100% juice because of concern about their weight.
Daily Intake of 100% Fruit Juices by Age Group
Government Research Data * |
| AAP Age Groupings |
100% juice (oz) Mean Daily Intake |
AAP Recommendation Daily Juice Intake (oz) |
| Under 6 months |
.9 oz. |
0 |
| 6 months -6 years |
4.6 oz. |
4-6 oz. |
| 7 years - 18 years |
3.4 oz. |
8-12 oz. |
* Continuing Survey of Food Intakes II (CSFII) 1994-96, 1998
Data published by Rampersaud et al. National survey beverage consumption data for children and adolescents indicate the need to encourage a shift toward more nutritive beverages. J Am Diet Assoc. January 2003. 103:97-100.
The following statistics come as a result of a December 2005 survey of US households, including those with children.
- Most families note that they drink juice either once daily or 4-6 times a week, with an average being five times per week.
- The vast majority (83%) are aware that 100% fruit juice contains healthy calories, while 95% are aware that 100% fruit juice is rich in vitamins, minerals and nutrients.
- 94 percent agree that 100% fruit juice can be an important part of a healthy diet.
- Almost 1/3 (31%) are not aware that one-half cup of 100% fruit juice counts as a fruit serving.
