With the increase in awareness regarding health and hectic lifestyles, different consumers are found to be consuming packed juices instead of fresh fruits and vegetables. These products are commonly labeled as healthy, and all-natural, and have what is advertised as healthy nutrients that one’s body requires. However, appearances are often very deceptive, and at times we find packaged juices are very unhealthy despite their catchy names or brands. It is therefore important to understand the potential dangers that are associated with these products for nutrition’s sake.
The Sugar Trap
One of the biggest problems that can be associated with packaged juices is the level of sugar. Sometimes these juices boast low-sugar labels such as ‘no added sugar’ or ‘100% natural’ yet these juices are full of natural sugars. A glass of fruit juice can have the same amount of sugar as a can of Coke or any other fizzy drink. It is the absence of fiber in juice that differentiates the naturally occurring sugars in whole fruits from those that are in juices.
Nutrient Loss During Processing
Techniques used in the processing of packaged juices entail a reduction of nutrient content in the final product. Many juices are heat treated to eliminate undesirable microorganisms and to enhance the product’s shelf-life to its disadvantage; pasteurization erases most of the vitamin C and other beneficial phytochemicals. In compensation for this, the manufacturers decide to put synthetic vitamins back into the juice. However, these are identified to be at times synthetically added to the foods and are not as healthy for consumption as the natural ones because the body can easily absorb and metabolize natural nutrients more efficiently.
Artificial Additives and Preservatives
Many of the packaged juices contain artificial additives and preservatives to make them attractive in terms of taste, and color and to increase their shelf life. These chemicals can cause different health impacts that include the development of an allergy or impact on the hormonal system and even carcinogenic impacts. For instance, it has been seen many juices contain synthetic colorants that are associated with hyperactivity in children and preservatives that may cause asthmatic episodes.
False Advertising and Health Statements
Marketing is considered to have the biggest role in the consumption of packaged juices. Such terms as ‘organic’, ‘natural’, ‘pure’, and ‘vitamin-rich’ are used by brands to make an association with health. However, organizations can be misled while using these terms. For instance, the so-called ‘Organic juice’ could contain high amounts of sugar and calories, or the ‘Vitamin boosted juice’ could contain half the portion of vitamins that are provided by fresh fruits or vegetables.
The Environmental Impact
However, apart from the health problems associated with these juices are also have some environmental impacts in their production and packaging. In the creation of packaged juices, many resources such as water, energy, and carbon emissions are used during production. Plastic and tetra Pak packaging also affect pollution and wastage, more so where the packaging is not disposed of in the right manner. It is far better to take fresh fruits or prepare your juice yourself when you wish to take some juice, this way you will have reduced your impact on the environment a lot.
The Healthier Alternative: Whole Fruits
For one to fully enjoy the health benefits fruits have to offer, it is recommended to take the fruits in their raw form. Choosing whole fruits offer a natural package of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which are perfect for the body’s utilization. If you fancy the taste of juice here are some tips that would enable you to prepare one at home using fruits and vegetables. In this way, you are the master of your food and because of that, you are likely to ingest a much healthier product.
Final Thought
Most of the packaged juices ‘’as advertised to be healthy come with serious repercussions to your health, including high chances of developing diseases associated with sugar consumption, processed foods with nutrient loss during the processing process, some ingredients augmented with artificial additives, and the mere fact that most are labeled nutrient-packed” are normally misleading. Although they are quite helpful, the negative effects on health in case one uses these products for a long turn them into a vice. In this way, while opting for whole fruits or preparing juice at home, it is possible to experience all the advantages with no risks behind the scenes. It’s high time that we start making some choices that will better facilitate our health and physique rather than focusing on the label.
