Debate about benefits and risks of fruit drinks and smoothies

A debate is now emerging amongst researchers over fruit drinks and smoothies. Are they beneficial or are they a risk? Should they be included as one of your five a day portions of fresh fruit and vegetables? Below is a summary of some of the debate. Please feel free to add your comment to this article. Its always good to know what other people think.

 

Dr Susan Jebb, Professor of Diet and Population Health in the Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at the University of Oxford was recently quoted by the Sunday Times and later The Guardian as saying: "Fruit juice isn't the same as intact fruit and it has got as much sugar as many classical sugar drinks. It is also absorbed very fast so by the time it gets to your stomach your body doesn't know whether it's Coca-Cola or orange juice, frankly.’ Read full article at Fruit juice should not be part of your five a day, says government adviser

 

A previous article in The Guardian highlighted research in Singapore that showed that people who eat whole fruit have a reduced risk of developing the obesity-linked type 2 diabetes, whereas those who drank fruit juice were at increased risk. See Full article at:Smoothies and fruit juices are a new risk to health, US scientists warn

At the moment in Ireland the safefood campaign still lists smoothies as being one of the five portions of fresh fruit and veg. It should also be noted that despite the ongoing debate, safefood provides very positive advice on healthy eating. Of particular interest to students is the safefood fact sheet that shows the sugar content of everyday drinks including smoothies and fruit drinks. Whilst the chart is aimed at parents of young children it is worth everybody checking it out. See: Drinks Guide 

What the debate over smoothies and fruit drinks highlights is that the best food to eat is that which is nearest to its natural state. For more healthy advice about food check out:

Food Is FunMyths about food, weight and body image 

The Mediterranean Diet

Energy drinks will have a negative impact on your exams and studies 

If you are worried about food and body image a good website to check out is ProYouth 

To keep up to date follow Risky Bizzness on @RBizzness