Myths and realities about juice (3)
Myth no. 3: Juice is refreshing but not really healthy for you
Realities
Some people say that juice contains too much sugar and lots of artificial ingredients. They claim its only value is as a refreshment. Hmm…seems they’re not up on the latest research. Studies show that 100% juice and juice blends contain vitamins and various other nutrients essential to good health.
Take Vitamin C, for instance. At one time Vitamin C deficiency led to fatal scurvy epidemics. It’s so crucial for our bones, our teeth and our immune systems that when added to food it’s not even considered an additive. Many fruits and vegetables are rich in Vitamin C: oranges, grapefruit, pineapple, strawberries, tomatoes, carrots, kiwi fruit, and guava, to name just a few. They are therefore often used in juice blends. But a single glass of orange juice provides the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C.
That same glass also contains 25% of the daily dose of Vitamin B9 or folate suggested by nutritionists. Essential to the production of red blood cells, this vitamin also plays a major role in preventing congenital disorders. Orange juice is thus a good choice for pregnant women.
And since we’re talking about citrus fruit, orange and grapefruit juice are also good sources of Vitamin B1. Also called thiamine, it allows the body to transform food into energy and plays a vital role in the functioning of our nervous and muscular systems.
And let’s not forget potassium, which is found abundantly in fruits and vegetables! This mineral helps to lower blood pressure and is essential to the functioning of the nervous and muscular systems. Orange, carrot, pineapple and tomato juice are all good sources.
And what’s more, recent studies reveal other benefits of fruits and vegetables used in juices. Along with vitamins and minerals, they also contain bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties, such as flavonoids and polyphenols in addition to lycopene and anthocyanins, which contribute to cardiovascular health. And the research continues!