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All Juiced Up

April 1 2013

All Juiced Up
By: Debra Meszaros
Body Performance Coach
www.Clubmx-SC.com
www.MxSportsNutrition.com

A cure for Cancer, AIDS, Arthritis, or Lupus in a bottle? Need to grow hair or jump start your libido?

With the extremely high antioxidant values claimed on the majority of superfruit juices available today, you can easily be led to believe it is true. After all, many of these “super” juices have a hefty price tag, and logic leads you to the belief, they have to be doing something for that kind of money. How can a consumer protect themselves from those companies that make fraudulent health claims? How do you determine when it’s more cost effective to eat the fruit or drink the juice?

The antioxidant power of fruit has been known for quite some time, but it is the claims that have been associated with juices created from these fruits that have been a growing problem. The majority of the hype associated with these juices comes from the ORAC value associated with fruits and vegetables. In case you are not familiar with ORAC value, it is simply a scientific test that measures how antioxidants work. What most people are unaware of is that unless the product you are purchasing has a certified seal, by a lab verifying the ORAC value stated on that product, chances are high that the value could be misrepresented. Additionally, many studies done on isolated antioxidants show non-conclusive evidence that the concentration, blending, or isolation of these “super fruit” properties can do what the products claim. They are not approved by the FDA to make sure the health claims associated with them are indeed valid. Also, consumers should carefully watch the correlation between serving size and ORAC values. One of the “super” juices tested showed that 9.5oz of the juice equaled the antioxidant capacity of just one apple. The cost of one apple is far less than the cost of the juice. In most cases, these “super” juices are the worst value for your money when comparing them to simply eating the fruit or even utilizing dietary supplements. Many companies add Fibersol-2, maltodextrin a/k/a “fake” fiber to replace the lack of real fruit fiber. Therefore the fiber content listed on the product leads to the assumption the fiber is from the fruit!

Based upon the fact that the health claims associated with these “super fruits” are not validated, one might want to compare the cost of these juices with other options. Now I’m not saying these juices are bad for you, especially if they are consumed in proper balance with a healthy diet and exercise. But they do not have the power to undo the Big Mac and Apple Pie you just ate; and any juice is still considered sugar to your body. I find most people overdo the consumption of juices and wind up running their body’s on sugar. They negate the benefits that could be achieved by consuming them and receive a false energetic boost. What I dislike about these juices is the unfortunate fact that most of them contain sodium benzonate or other preservatives. These chemicals even in their smallest content hinder cellular communication. Whether it’s noni, acai, mangosteen, or any of the overpriced isolated blends of these “super fruits”, consuming an actual high antioxidant food in whole form will prove to be less expensive. They always come along with all the synergistic elements nature placed with them for your body to assimilate. If juicing is your thing, eat your fruits and juice your vegetables!


©2013 Debra Meszaros MXSportsNutrition.com. All rights reserved; no duplication without permission.
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