Fruits vs Fruit juices

I have always believed that fruits are more beneficial than fruit juices mainly because of the fiber content and you generate only bio degradable waste. Fruit juices are for lazy people - I am assuming these people just buy packaged fruit juices as opposed to juicing the fruit in a blender. Oh! if you are the kind that buys fruits and juices it, then you just have a lot of time and you really don't mind cleaning the blender.

There have been studies that show that fruits prevent cancer, cardio- vascular diseases and even Alzheimer's. Now why would someone take up researching, if 100% fruit juices are as beneficial fruits, unless the research is funded by a company the makes 100% juices and wants to put on a attractive label that claims that 100% fruit juices prevent cancer, cardio-vascular diseases etc.
Their main claim is fruits and fruit juices contain antioxidants, so by consuming fruit juices you don't miss out on the benefits of antioxidants, you only miss out on the fiber - which they apparently, don't say. Pretty clever huh!

• The researchers add that the positioning of juices as being nutritionally inferior to whole fruits and vegetables in relationship to chronic disease development is “unjustified” and that policies which suggest otherwise about fruit and vegetable juices should be re-examined.I just wish the researchers suffer from constipation so as to realise the benefits of fiber which is present in fruits and not in fruit juices. Probably they'll do some kind of research for a fiber supplement company and get free samples on the side.

A few years ago there was a big push to give fruit juices to babies over the age of 6 months. People did do it until they found out that it had was more detrimental than beneficial.

• Many fruit juices do not contain any significant amount of protein, fat, minerals or vitamins other than vitamin C. But they do contain a large amount of carbohydrate (sugar) which if consumed in large quantities can result in diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating and flatulence. Also, most juices do not contain fiber - so fruit juice offers no real nutritional advantage over whole fruit.
• Some fruit juices are fortified with calcium to promote healthy teeth and bones. But juice consumption may actually cause tooth decay, if children are allowed to hold a bottle, cup or box of juice in their mouth throughout the day or at bedtime. In addition -- unlike fruit juice -- fruit drinks or "cocktails" do not contain 100 percent juice. They may also contain extra sweeteners, artificial flavors or other ingredients.

So finally the AAP came with guidelines, limiting the intake of fruit juices in children. Such is nutritional research!