Teens who drink 100pct fruit juice have healthier diets

Washington, March 4 (ANI): A new study has shown that teenagers who drink 100 percent fruit juice have more nutritious diets overall compared to non-consumers.

The findings revealed that teens between the age group of 12-18 who drank any amount of 100 percent juice had lower intakes of total dietary fat and saturated fat and higher intakes of key nutrients, including Vitamins C and B6, folate, potassium and iron.

Those who drank greater than six ounces of 100 percent juice a day also consumed more whole fruit and fewer added fats and sugars. Milk consumption was not affected by juice intake.

In addition, the study found no association between 100 percent fruit juice consumption and weight status in the nearly 4,000 adolescents examined - even among those who consumed the most juice.

Study's lead author, Dr. Theresa Nicklas of the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine, said that encouraging consumption of nutrient-rich foods and beverages such as 100 percent juice is particularly critical during adolescence - a unique period of higher nutrient demands.

"One hundred percent juice is a smart choice. It provides important nutrients that growing teens need and the research consistently shows that drinking fruit juice is not linked to being overweight," Nicklas said.

The study has been published in the March/April issue of the American Journal of Health Promotion. (ANI)