Fruit juices are often marketed to parents as healthy options for their children, but when you look closely, you’ll find that most juices are packed with high amounts acid and sugar – two factors that weaken the teeth and make them more susceptible to decay.
Whole fruits versus fruit juices
We know that fruits contain naturally occurring sugar. They also contain fiber which can helps slow down sugar absorption and is known to be generally good for the health. Fiber makes us feel full and satiated longer because it takes more time to digest.
Fruit juices, on the other hand, are stripped from fiber during production, and we end up with a concentrated source of sugar. Harvard School of Public Health even reports that a 12-ounce glass of orange juice can contain as much as 10 teaspoons of sugar, just like soda.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Heart Association, and Harvard School of Public Health all suggest than eating whole fruit is better than fruit juice. In fact, the AAP states that fruit juice has no essential role in healthy, balanced diets of children, and offers no nutritional advantage over whole fruit.
We know that it’s not always be possible to avoid fruit juices in our households. So, here are expert recommendations that could help keep our children’s teeth healthy.
