Many parents perceive fruit-based drinks, such as smoothies and natural juices, as healthy options for their children. However, a study has revealed that these drinks often contain “unacceptably high” sugar levels, which contradicts this perception.
In a new study, researchers found that a standard 200-mL serving of nearly half of the products assessed contained more sugar than the daily recommended maximum intake for children, which is 19 grammes. It is equal to almost five teaspoons of sugar. Additionally, 78 of these goods contained non-caloric sweeteners like aspartame.
This finding is consistent with earlier research that has emphasised the high sugar content of children’s beverages, particularly fruit juices and flavoured drinks, frequently viewed as healthier options by parents.
The study, published in the online journal BMJ Open, found that the sugar concentration in fruit juice can significantly impact insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, even though high sugar intake from fruit juices can contribute to negative metabolic outcomes, particularly in youngsters.
The researchers in the study analysed the sugar content of various fruit juices, drinks, and smoothies sold by seven major UK supermarkets. While focused on products targeted to youngsters, sports drinks and fizzy beverages are excluded.
This focus is in line with earlier studies that have emphasised the need to differentiate between naturally occurring sugars in whole fruits and added sugars in processed beverages.
The researchers emphasised the need for manufacturers to reduce unnecessary sugars and calories in these drinks to help combat childhood obesity and suggested that if manufacturers do not take action, government intervention may be necessary to regulate sugar content.
According to the UK Food Standards Agency’s labelling system, many of the products assessed would receive a red traffic light label, indicating high levels of sugar. The study found that over 40 products contained at least 19 grammes of free sugar per serving.
The researchers warned against simply replacing added sugars with non-caloric sweeteners, as this could maintain children’s preference for sweetness. They advocated for a reduction in overall sweetness in these products and serving them during meals.
Earlier studies have similarly suggested that whole fruits are a better option for children compared to fruit juices, which can lead to excessive sugar intake.
The study cautioned against replacing sugars with non-caloric sweeteners, saying that such replacements may not effectively reduce children’s preference for sweetness, which can perpetuate unhealthy eating habits.
Previous research has advocated for stricter regulations on sugary drinks to combat childhood obesity, indicating a trend towards recognising the need for policy changes in this area.
The meta-analysis, published Tuesday in the journal JAMA Paediatrics, analysed 42 studies: 17 in children and 25 among adults. It found that in children, each additional serving per day of 100% fruit juice was associated with a 0.03 higher body mass index, or BMI, change.
Also, a joint American and Chinese study of nearly 200,000 people found that drinking sugar-sweetened fruit juice increased the risk of diabetes while drinking pure fruit juice did not. Another showed that while sugar-sweetened drinks increase the weight of children over six years, pure fruit does not.
According to the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP), eating and drinking too much-added sugar puts kids at risk for obesity, tooth decay, heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease, among other health problems. Families should focus on foods and drinks that do not have added sugar, the AAP advises.
The American Academy of Paediatrics’ nutrition committee said, “Because juice is viewed as nutritious, limits on consumption are not usually set by parents.”Like soda, it can contribute to energy imbalance,” causing weight gain that leads to obesity.
Indeed, as scientists zero in on the causes of rising obesity rates, sugary drinks have emerged as a primary culprit with regard to weight gain.
Dr. Walter Willett, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, said in a reaction, “One fundamental problem with juice is quantity; consuming fruit this way makes it so easy to overdose.”
Also, paediatric endocrinologist Dr. Tamara Hannon and a member of the American Academy of Paediatrics’ committee on nutrition declared, “There’s no health reason to have juice instead of whole fruits and vegetables unless your child cannot tolerate eating regular food.”
In a remark, Dr. David Katz, a specialist in preventive and lifestyle medicine who founded the nonprofit True Health Initiative, a global coalition of experts dedicated to evidence-based lifestyle medicine, declared that general guidance is against relying on juice rather than water for thirst or consuming juice specifically for health benefits.
“It’s not for daily health—it’s an occasional sweet treat. In such a context, fruit juice is a much better choice than soda, for many reasons,” Dr. Katz added.
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