Fruit juice that contains additives such as flavors, food coloring (dye), sugar and organic acids will no longer be classified as natural juice, and must be labeled as “beverages containing natural ingredients,” said Manouchehr Dadgarnejad, director of planning at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
When a fruit juice pack is labeled 100% natural, it means that the juice from whole or cut fruit has no extra additives, reports Khabaronline.
Usually added color to soft drinks comprises 10% of sugary drinks. The consumption of such drinks not only provides low nutrition, but also increases body fat and raises the risks of liver problems, diabetes and heart disease. Colors and dyes have also been linked to cancer and hyperactivity.
Dadgarnejad recommended nutritious food comprising a balanced proportion of protein, minerals, vitamins, carbohydrate and minimum sugar.
Indulging in sugary soft drinks is associated with lower intake of protein and other important nutrients that eventually lead to health problems.
The FDA plans to enrich fruit juice content by 5% to lower diabetes by 1% annually. “Although such action may seem minimal, it could be useful in promoting people’s health,” he added.
Choosing Correctly
The ideal healthy fruit juice contains “100% fruit juice,” has no additives, is not made from concentrate, and includes puree or pulp.
The so-called “natural ingredients” used in processed foods and fruit juice come with more health risks than benefits.
The secret to choosing a healthy fruit juice is to carefully read the label. Manufacturers use specific language, as required by law, to describe the juice. But it’s easy to be fooled, reports getting-started-with-healthy-eating.com.
The ingredients are listed in order of volume. The one listed first is the largest ingredient; the ingredient listed second is the second largest, and so on. This will reveal, for example, if a beverage is mostly sugar water; mostly fruit juice; or mostly the juice you expect. Additives will be named in the ingredients list, or referred to by vague names such as “flavors.”
Fruit juices with additives should be avoided. It is, however, difficult to avoid all additives even in 100% fruit juice. And, 100% fruit juices with no additives are likely to be found only in natural food stores. They will be more expensive, and the choices limited.
The additives to always avoid are artificial sweeteners that are neurological poisons and high fructose corn syrup that affects blood sugar to the point that it is thought to be a major cause of the recent increase in the rate of diabetes. Artificial flavors can include artificial “flavor enhancers,” such as Senomyx, that affect the perception of taste. They are also a health risk and have neurological effects.
