Drinking 100% fruit juice linked to BMI increase in children
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Key takeaways:
- Researchers found a positive association between drinking 100% fruit juice and weight gain.
- BMI increased for every additional serving a child consumed each day.
Researchers identified a positive association between consumption of 100% fruit juice and weight gain in children, according to study results published in JAMA Pediatrics.
“Consumption of 100% fruit juice can serve as a convenient means to meet daily fruit recommendations and offers many of the nutrients found in whole fruit, including essential vitamins, antioxidants, and polyphenols that can contribute to a healthy dietary pattern,” the authors wrote.
“However,” they continued, “there is concern that intake of 100% fruit juice may contribute to weight gain due to the high amounts of free sugars and energy. These beverages contain little to no fiber compared with the whole fruit form, resulting in low satiety and greater ad libitum energy intake.”
According to the authors, evidence on fruit juice consumption and weight gain is mixed and advice on juice consumption from WHO, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the AAP and Canada’s Dietary Guidelines are inconsistent, which could lead to confusion.
“With the rising overweight and obesity rates in children and adults worldwide, evidence-based recommendations for 100% fruit juice consumption are needed,” they wrote.
The researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 42 eligible studies —17 with 45,851 children and 25 with 268,095 adults. There were no randomized clinical trials that included children.
Based on comparisons from 16 cohorts that included 56,399 children, the researchers estimated that every 8-oz. serving per day of 100% fruit juice was associated with a 0.03 (95% CI, 0.01-0.05) higher BMI.
Their analysis of trials in adults found no significant association between 100% fruit juice consumption and body weight.
The researchers said the findings support guidance to limit consumption of fruit juice to prevent the intake of excess calories and weight gain.
“There is a need for high-quality randomized clinical trials in both children and adults that explore the effect of juice consumption on body weight at different levels of intake and different types of juice,” they wrote. “Our findings are in support of public health guidance to limit consumption of 100% fruit juice to prevent overweight and obesity.”
In a statement sent to Healio, a trade association representing the fruit and juice industry said 100% juice “is a nutrient-dense beverage that contains similar amounts of essential vitamins and minerals found in the fruit it is squeezed from.”
“Most research shows daily consumption of 100% juice in appropriate amounts does not increase weight gain and can potentially have a positive impact on health,” the Juice Products Association said. “The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans includes 100% juice in the fruit food group and it is recommended as one of the primary beverages to be consumed by children and adults on a regular basis.”
[Editor’s note: This story was updated to include a comment from the Juice Products Association.]
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