Fruit juice drinkers have healthier diets – new study

• New research shows that drinking 100 % fruit juice can enhance diet quality by providing essential nutrients like potassium, calcium, and vitamin C without added sugars
• 100 % fruit juice offers an accessible, affordable way to obtain vital nutrients, complementing whole fruit intake without replacing it
• The study highlights the need for future dietary guidelines to consider economic access to healthy foods

If you sip a daily glass of 100 % fruit juice, you’re already on your way to having a healthier diet. That’s the conclusion of a new international study which revealed that people who drink fruit juice are more likely to achieve nutrition goals and score better for overall diet healthiness.

Conducted by experts from MS-Nutrition in France and the University of Washington, the research found that 100 % fruit juice provides essential vitamins and minerals without the added sugars or sweeteners found in many other drinks. Analysing data on more than 4000 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2017 and 2023, the study found that people who consume 100 % juice regularly tend to have healthier, more nutrient-rich diets.

Their meals contained higher levels of potassium, calcium, and vitamin C, while being lower in added sugars. Despite worries about calorie intakes, most people consume 100 % juice in moderation, well within the recommended limits set for balanced diets.

Writing in the journal, co-author Professor Adam Drewnowski from the University of Washington, said: “The diets of 100 % juice consumers were higher not only in total fruit but also in total vegetables, greens and beans, total fruits, whole fruits, whole grains, dairy, protein, and seafood and plant proteins. Significantly, diets of 100 % juice consumers were lower in added sugar, saturated fat, and sodium. That would suggest that 100 % fruit juice consumption is a marker or an indicator of healthier diets.”

Award-winning dietician Dr Carrie Ruxton, added: “These findings are encouraging and show that fruit juice doesn’t replace fruit in the diet, but complements it. Incorporating a glass of 100 % fruit juice into your daily routine is a simple yet effective way to improve nutrient intakes and support a healthier, more balanced diet. For those in lower-income groups, 100 % fruit juice can be an affordable way to access vital nutrients”.