A Lagos-based wellness expert has debunked claims of health risks associated with fruit juice stressing that fruit juices does not harm human body.
Speaking during a monthly wellness dialogue series, a programme supported by Chivita as part of its public enlightenment campaign on the benefits of 100 percent fruit juice, a wellness expert, Dr. Bisi Abiola said there is no positive correlation between fruit juice and health risks such as obesity, cancer, diabetes and dental decay.
During the discourse, Abiola, who is also the Managing Director of Indulge Nigeria Limited, said: “Sugar in 100 percent fruit juice always comes with the fruits that have been juiced. It is never added. The simple sugar found in whole fruit and fruit juices is mostly in form of fructose. Accordingly, the World Health Organisation takes account of natural sugars contained in fruit juices in the ‘free sugars’ category.”
“Juice is an important source of nutrients, and 100 percent fruit juice makes a valuable contribution to your daily intake of Vitamin C,” she explained.
She added: “A glass of pure orange fruit juice is also a good source of folate and potassium. It is a difficult task for children, and harder for adults to eat the five recommended portions of fruit a day, a problem readily solved by drinking fruit juices.”
Abiola admitted that the sugar scare is overshadowing the positive contributions that fruit juice makes to the national health.
She however noted that: “Research supports favourable effects of fruit juices on lipid profile and blood pressure. With regards to dental decay, there is no major evidence of a link with the consumption of fruit or fruit juices, except when related to feeding bottles in early childhood.
“In a methodical review of the evidence, there exists no reliable evidence of negative impact of 100 percent fruit juice on health, including body weight, cardiovascular disease and risk of type two diabetes,” she noted.