The role of juice in children’s nutrition

Fruit juice gained its popularity with pediatricians as a source of vitamin C and an extra serving of water for children, as well as a constipation aid. As children’s pallets expanded into more solid food, juice was viewed as a healthy addition to their diet. Pediatricians recommended juice as a way to consume a greater serving of fruits and vegetables, as well as more vitamins and calcium.

Nutritional Benefits of Fruit Juice

In some cases, fruit juices are fortified with vitamins, such as vitamin C and vitamin D, as well as calcium. Some juices are already naturally high in potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin A. These juices that are high in vitamin C have been shown to decrease the risk of cancer and heart disease, long-term speaking. Additionally, when juices that contain ascorbic acid are paired with a meal, it can help increase your child’s iron absorption. This can be especially beneficial in children with an iron deficiency or a low iron diet.

Choosing 100% juice drinks and forgoing powdered options will provide more nutritional benefits and help you avoid artificial sugars that are damaging to your child’s teeth and their health. The most nutritious options recommended are:

Orange juice:

Orange juice is inexpensive, and a good source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, magnesium, and other minerals.

Pomegranate juice:

Pomegranate juice is a good source of potassium, B vitamins, magnesium, and antioxidants.

Unsweetened pink grapefruit juice:

Pink grapefruit juice without any added sugar is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and minerals.

For kids 1 year of age and up, choosing an unsweetened, 100% fruit or vegetable juice option in moderation can provide helpful benefits for their baby teeth, immune system, and overall health.

But not too much juices!

Juice consumption could have its nutrition drawbacks, namely it is rich in calories so drinking it in excess adds extra unnecessary calories to your child’s nutrition. This also makes juice consumption  as one among the major contributing factor to childhood obesity.

Moreover, drinking too much juice could trigger in your child chronic diarrhoea, gas, bloating and abdominal pains because of the quick passage of carbohydrates from the juice to his delicate gastrointestinal tract, which he will not be able to tolerate.

You should not forget that juice contains fruit sugar that despite being natural, leads to dental caries. Give priority for whole vegetables and fruits!

The most important complaint against juices is that it is chosen as an alternative for whole vegetables and fruits. Most juices, unless they contain lots of pieces of fruits, are low in fibre when compared to whole vegetables and fruits. Health benefits of fibre are well-known as it helps keep your child’s gastrointestinal system healthy.

Juices in moderation

Children are the highest consumers of juices. Some parents don’t limit the intake of juices like they do with other kinds of drinks because they think that juices are healthy. It is true that 100% natural juices are a better choice than other sweetened and fruit-flavoured drinks, but it could replace milk which is essential in your child’s diets.

Offer your child, fresh juice in moderation as it gives him some vitamins and minerals, but remember that too much is not recommended. It is recommended that children between 1 and 2 years consume 1 to 2 portions of fruits and older kids 2-4 portions (one portion is equivalent to ½ a fruit piece or ½ cup of juice) and the juice intake should not exceed half of the daily fruit portions, i.e ½ cup to 1 cup per day. The best option is to offer your child a variety of fresh fruits in order to provide him with healthy fibres.

Source: https://childrensdentistrypb.com  &  https://www.nestle-family.com