Fruit juice concentrate is made from fresh juice in order to lessen its shipment weight and lengthen its shelf life. Many consumers are familiar with the juice concentrate products they can buy in the frozen food section of their grocery store.
What they may not be aware of, however, is that many juice products sold in the beverage aisle are also made from concentrate. An article by livestong. The juice is also pasteurized as part of the process to extend its shelf life. Fruit juices blended with other ingredients, such as high-fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners, are called juice cocktails, juice drinks or nectar. If a juice drink from concentrate contains high-fructose corn syrup, the excess sugar is quickly absorbed into your bloodstream.
Juices with added sugars also promote acidity, which can reduce immune response and encourage proliferation of potentially pathogenic microorganisms. According to the Human Biochemistry and Disease, drinking additionally sweetened juice may also irritate stomach ulcers and acid reflux disease.
Another concern for consumers should be where the fruit for the concentrate was grown. China has been called out in the news numerous times in the past few years for its poor environmental and waste management practices, excessive application of chemicals and fertilizer, and lack of government and food safety regulations.
In particular, China is an enormous exporter of apple juice concentrate, with a forecast export of up to , tonnes in — and in recent years, the U. But Chinese farms are also known for their pollution and excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides , and some pesticides are known to work their way into fruit juices and concentrates. For example, carbendazim isn't permitted in the United States but can show up in juice concentrates from other countries. If you know the source of the fruit that goes into your juice, you can at least read up on that country's food safety regulations, waste management, whether its fruit is processed with industrial solvents or irradiation, and other factors that are of interest to many consumers.
But when you get your juice from concentrate, you're often left to guess where the fruit started its journey. Read more : The Top 10 Beverages to Avoid. In , Consumer Reports published the results from its testing of 45 popular fruit juices and juice blends sold across the United States, most from concentrate.
In almost half the juices, it found elevated levels of the heavy metals arsenic, cadmium and lead — so elevated, in fact, that its chief scientific officer warned that, in some cases, drinking just half a cup of juice per day would be enough to cause concern. These heavy metals can present a heightened risk of lowered IQ, behavioral problems, Type 2 diabetes, cancer and more in children, while in adults, heavy metal exposure can elevate your risk of several cancers, Type 2 diabetes and other conditions.
The report is especially concerning because some of the juices that showed these elevated levels are marketed for children, who are particularly vulnerable to the effects of heavy metals.
Consumer Reports also noted that a recent survey of more than 3, parents showed that in 74 percent of those surveyed, kids drink juice once a day or more.
But 10 of the juices tested also posed a potential health risk to adults who drink more than 8 ounces per day. Half of those juices were also risky at just 4 ounces per day.
Interestingly, the Consumer Reports testing found that organic juices did not show lower levels of heavy metals than conventional juices. Heavy metals and pesticides aren't the only dangerous substances that can creep into fruit and from there into the juice-from-concentrate products you buy off the shelf. Of particular note, patulin is a mycotoxin produced by fungi most commonly associated with moldy apples, although it has also been found in other juice-worthy fruits, including grapes, peaches, pineapple and apricots.
Given the prevalence of fruit imports from China, it's also alarming that a issue of the journal Food Control showed that Although there have been no widespread reports of illness caused by patulin, it can cause nausea and vomiting and is classified as a mutagen that can cause DNA damage. Good harvest and storage practices are key in reducing the presence of patulin — which is another reason why the source of your fruit juice can matter quite a bit. Patulin has also been found to correlate with the presence of aflatoxin , another mycotoxin that is associated with an increased risk of liver cancer.
If you're not comfortable with the implications of buying juice drinks made from concentrate, you have some alternatives. First, buy juice that's labeled "not from concentrate. Second, if you're lucky enough to live near fruit growers, you might even be able to buy juice directly from the farmer, or if juice is not available, consider investing in a juicer and buying "juice grade" fruit.
These fruits are nutritionally sound but tend to be odd-shaped or have a few cosmetic blemishes. Too bad everyone can't afford the better things which make life easier and potentially healthier. Having said that…how many people who fulfill the brackets of not being able to afford so many things, still spend hundreds of dollars each month on cigarettes and alcoholic beverages?
Greg, Maybe we should not categorize all the "have nots" as chain smokers and alcoholics. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. By Nicholas Charles. Updated December 3rd, Contents show. Wrapping It Up. Nicholas Charles. Nicholas Charles is an experienced writer and researcher who focuses on inspiring others to lead a healthier lifestyle. He has extensive knowledge in areas of kitchen appliances and juicing. Michelle Nicholas, I don't know how old this site is, so I hope you get this.
Nicholas Charles Thanks for the feedback Michelle. Greg Good points, Michelle. Robert Greg, Maybe we should not categorize all the "have nots" as chain smokers and alcoholics. Leave A Reply Cancel reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
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