New Delhi, Sep 3 (IANS) Experts on Tuesday warned that packaged juices are dangerous for health and have low nutritional value and advised to avoid them.
National Nutrition Week is celebrated every year from 1 to 7 September. This year’s theme is ‘Nutritious food for all’.
Packaged juices usually contain less fruit pulp and have a high sugar content. This increases the risk of diabetes and obesity.
Processed juices also lack fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Dr Shweta Gupta, Unit Head – Dietetics, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, told IANS, “Packaged juices are not healthy at all. They are high in sugar and low in nutrients. The amount of fruit pulp in them is low while the amount of artificial flavours, stabilisers, sugar/sweeteners/fructose syrup is generally very high.”
Gupta recommends eating fresh fruits instead of fresh and packaged juices. This is because when juice is prepared, its pulp is removed and along with it the vitamins, minerals, fiber are also removed. So, avoid juices, especially packaged juices, for good health.”
Dr Sukhwinder Singh Saggu, Director, Minimal Access, GI and Bariatric Surgery at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, told IANS that drinking packaged fruit juices can lead to weight gain, insulin resistance and other health problems. Instead, fresh fruits provide a balanced mix of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
“Despite their healthy branding, packaged fruit juices often contain added sugar and lack the essential nutrients and fiber that whole fruits provide. Additionally, the ingredients used to make these juices often destroy beneficial enzymes and reduce the quality of the product,” Saggu said.
If you want to maintain a healthy diet, it is best to avoid packaged fruit juices altogether. Instead, choose whole fruits or fresh juices, as they provide the nutrition your body needs.
–IANS
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