The research consisted of a systematic review and analysis of 42 different studies, including 17 that focused on children and 25 on adults.
Representative pic of fruit juice (Wikimedia Common)
If you thought giving your child fruit juices throughout the day was a good idea, think again! You might be adding to their obesity.
A study published in the JAMA Network has uncovered a connection between the daily intake of 100 percent fruit juice and weight gain, especially in children.
The research from Canada also identified a significant positive correlation between fruit juice consumption and weight gain in adults.
Taking to X, Dr Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist at Apollo Hospital who is popular on the platform as “Hyderabaddoctor”, noted that fruit juices were considered a healthier option and were routinely consumed by both children as well as adults.
“A recent meta-analysis examined the association between fruit juice consumption and weight gain,” he posted.
The research consisted of a systematic review and analysis of 42 different studies, including 17 that focused on children and 25 on adults.
The aim was to consolidate existing data on the impact of consuming 100 percent fruit juice, which contained no added sugars, on body weight.
This endeavour was initiated in response to previous studies and trials that have produced inconsistent results regarding this relationship, as noted by the researchers.
In their findings, the researchers observed a slight increase in body mass index (BMI) — a measure that considers both weight and height — in children who drank 100 percent fruit juice, particularly in those under the age of 11.
For adults, the association between drinking 100 percent fruit juice and weight gain was more pronounced in studies that did not adjust for calorie intake.
This hinted at the possibility that excessive calorie consumption might be a contributing factor in this link.
Meanwhile, agreeing with the study, N Selvamani, a senior clinical dietitian at the Kauvery Hospital in the Vadapalani locality of Chennai said a whole fruit was always good to consume as it provided fibre and gave satiety, while fruit juice didn’t contain fibre but only sugar when it was strained.
Explaining the reasons, Kumar said, “Fruit juices are liquid calories and the consumption of liquid calories is known to produce more weight gain, as compared to solid calories.”
Meanwhile, when compared with whole fruit, 100 percent fruit juice contains less dietary fibre, leading to the rapid absorption of fructose in the liver.
When consumed in excess, this can lead to hepatic de novo lipogenesis, the production of very-low-density lipoproteins, and triglycerides.
Also, drinking fruit juices causes lesser satiety as compared to whole fruit, and hence one can over-consume fruit juices.
“Early age of fruit juice introduction may lead to an increased risk for overweight and obesity in later childhood due to increased preference for sweet foods,” said Kumar.
Pomegranate and berry juices are associated with weight loss as compared to apple, orange and grape juices, which were associated with weight gain.
Agreeing with the study, Pavithra N Raj, the chief dietician at the Manipal Hospital in the Yeshwanthpur area of Bengaluru said: “High-calorie fruits — like banana, mango, avocado, and chiku — blended in the form of juice will be more in calories.”
She explained that the ones lower in calories might be citrus fruits like lemon, orange, mosambi, and pineapple.
The excess consumption of pomegranate and berry juice can also result in weight gain.
Pavitra explained, “When fruit juice is blended and strained, the fibre content is reduced, which results in higher calorie content.”
She added: “If fruits are blended with sugar, ice cream, and milk, the calorie count increases even more.”
She then explained: “Therefore, it’s better to blend fruits with just a bit of water and leave them unstrained (without added sugar).”
She also said: “I recommend consuming around 150-200 ml of fresh fruit juice per day, rather than juice from tetra paks. This is because tetra paks often contain added sugar and preservatives.”
Raj concurred: “Fruit, when blended with sugar, ice cream, and milk, leads to an increase in calories. So, fruits blended with a bit of water and unstrained are better.
He also said: “High-calorie fruits blended in the form of juice will be more in calories like banana, mango, avocado, and chiku.”
Citing the recommendations in the study, Kumar listed these recommendations regarding fruit juice consumption:
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