We've been warned about the dangers of consuming too much alcohol, soda and coffee, but according to experts, the 'healthier' alternative - fruit juice - can now be added to the watch list. People who regularly drink fruit juice have higher blood pressure than those who gulp down juice less often, increasing their risk of heart disease and stroke, according to a study published in the journal Appetite.
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The 160 participants in the study were asked about their dietary habits within the last year, including if they drank juice daily, occasionally or rarely. After checking participants' blood pressure in various ways, researchers found that those who drank a glass of juice every day had higher central blood pressure - the pressure in the aorta - than those who had juice less often or rarely.
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"These findings are important because there is a common perception that fruit juice is healthy," lead study author Dr. Matthew Pase from Swineburne University of Technology says.
Yes, fruit juice is packed with vitamins and natural sugar, but unlike whole fruits, the juice is missing the much-needed fiber that helps your body absorb the sugar and helps you to feel full.
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A single 250 ml serving of fruit juice contains seven teaspoons of sugar.
The World Health Organization suggests no more than six teaspoons per DAY.
Also, unfortunately, food and beverage manufacturers aren't always honest about what is in their products.
The fruit juice you find at the supermarket may not be what you think it is.
Even if it's labeled as "100% pure" and "not from concentrate" it may not be. After being squeezed from the fruit, the juice is usually stored in massive oxygen-depleted holding tanks for up to a year before it is packaged.
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The main problem with this method is that it tends to remove most of the flavor, so the manufacturers need to add so-called "flavor packs" to the juice, to bring back the flavor that was lost during processing.
So even if you're buying the highest quality juices at the supermarket, they are still far from their original state.
Some of the lowest quality ones don't even resemble fresh-squeezed fruit juice at all... they are basically just fruit-flavored sugar water.
How often should you drink fruit juice?
Making your own juice is a healthy option sometimes, but you shouldn't juice everything or do it all the time. When drinking of making your own fruit juice, it is important to mind your portions. Each fruit has about 60 calories so if you add too many, your calories and sugar intake will skyrocket. Stick to juicing only once a day. Eating whole, fresh fruits and veggies are important and beneficial to a healthy diet.
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Visit the High Blood Pressure center for more articles.
