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Forbidden Fruit Juice

By Robin Eisner, ABCNews.com

 

The American Academy of Pediatricians is telling parents that infants who drink too much fruit juice may become malnourished if the beverage replaces human milk or formula.

 

Children are the largest consumers of fruit juice in the United States and, experts say, that besides not providing needing nutrients, the extra calories from the sweet beverage may be contributing to the current epidemic of childhood obesity.

 

Sugar in Fruit Juice May Lead to Diarrhea

 

Fruit juice does not contain a significant amount of protein, fat, minerals or vitamins, other than Vitamin C, according to the pediatricians. It does contain carbohydrate,

in the form of sugar, which if consumed in large amounts can result in diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating and flatulence.   

 

Although some fruit juices are fortified with calcium to promote healthy bones and teeth, many do not, the doctors say. In fact, a child holding a bottle, cup or box of fruit juice in the mouth during the day or at bedtime may actually be at increased risk for tooth decay.

 

Parents, the doctors say, also should be aware some fruit drinks or "cocktails" do not contain 100 percent fruit juice, but include extra sweeteners, artificial flavors and other ingredients.

 

The group is issuing its policy statement about fruit juice consumption in the current issue of the medical journal Pediatrics.

 

Juices May Lead to Obesity

Humans were not meant to drink their calories. Liquids like fruit juice, composed mostly of sugars, are brought rapidly in the body promoting obesity. Childhood obesity is in epidemic proportions, putting our children at risk for serious diseases, such as diabetes.

Elizabeth Ward, registered dietitian and author of Healthy Food, Healthy Families: Feeding Your Child from Birth to Six Years Old, says parents often view juice as healthy and they think if a little is good, a lot is better.

"But this is misguided for two reasons," says Ward. "Kids tend to drink more calories than they eat, contributing to the obesity epidemic, because juice is fiber free and is not filling like whole fruit and because juice ... crowds out milk."

 
   

 

By drinking too much fruit juice, she says, children are not getting enough calcium and Vitamin D, both of which are found in milk. In some parts of the country, rickets (or a Vitamin D deficiency) is on the rise.

American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines on Fruit Juice:

  • Fruit juice should not be given to infants younger than 6 months of age.
  • After 6 months, children should not get juice from bottles or cups that allow them to consume the beverage too easily.
  • Infants should not get fruit juice at bedtime.
  • Children between 1 and 6 should limit fruit juice consumption to between four to six ounces per day.
  • Children between 7 and 18 should limit fruit juice consumption to between eight and 12 ounces a day.
  • All children should be encouraged to eat whole fruits.

Pediatrics Vol. 107 No. 5 May 2001, pp. 1210-1213

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

Most of traditional medicine fails to recognize that the sugars in fruit juice contribute to major distortions of insulin balance which leads to hormone and neurotransmitter shifts which increase a child's risk for ear infections, ADHD and allergies.

I believe that fruit juice and milk are two of the most misunderstood foods in our culture. Most people believe they are health foods, while the polar opposite is true. They tend to be pernicious fluids that worsen most people's health. One of the easiest and most powerful steps that someone can take is to switch all of their fluids over to pure water.

Now this does not mean one should not drink vegetable juice as that is one of the healthiest drinks one can have. Unfortunately, there are not many children who will drink vegetable juice.

Here's an idea for a Practical Tip for weaning kids off of fruit juice if they are already heavy drinkers, or for keeping fruit juice consumption to a minimum - DILUTE the juice with water. If a kid is already a juice drinker, start slowly by diluting slightly, and keep increasing the water content.

 

Dr. Dulin’s office is located at 100 Conklin Street in Farmingdale, 516 293-4276.

Amino Acids and Vitamins supplied by Purity First, speak to Rose @ 631-293-6525
 

 
 

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