100% fruit juice as healthy as fruits--study

Though it is universally accepted that fruits and vegetables offer protection, there isn't any clear consensus about the benefits of consuming the juices that are extracted from them.

But now researchers from the University of California have found that pure fruit juice offer benefits similar to eating fruits.

According to the research findings were presented in a literature review at the 2011 Experimental Biology meeting, like eating fruits, 100 percent fruit juice reduce the risk of several chronic diseases.

"An analysis of the scientific evidence suggests that 100 percent fruit juices retain important bioactive components that may promote good health and aid in disease prevention.”--study author Dianne Hyson, Ph.D., M.S., R.D., Department Chair of Family and Consumer Sciences at California State University Sacramento, CA.

Fruit juice help in 'disease prevention'
To determine the association between 100 percent fruit juice and human health, researchers focused on clinical trials, animal models, and in vitro experiments.

They found that consumption of fruit juice lowered risk of serious health problems like cancer, heart disease and cognitive decline.

"An analysis of the scientific evidence suggests that 100 percent fruit juices retain important bioactive components that may promote good health and aid in disease prevention," stated study author Dianne Hyson, Ph.D., M.S., R.D., Department Chair of Family and Consumer Sciences at California State University Sacramento, CA.

Unique benefits of different fruit drinks
Researchers found that pomegranate beverages lowered risk of prostate cancer and grapes juice reduced breast cancer risk.

While orange, grapefruit, grapes drinks helped in maintaining blood pressure, cranberry beverages reduced symptoms of urinary tract infections.

Further, grapes and apple drinks helped in preventing cognitive decline related to old age, and orange and grapefruit were found beneficial for bone health.

Researchers found that all fruit juices had “significant anti-oxidant activity in vivo and in vitro in addition to other mechanisms related to disease risk such as cell signaling, inflammation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis.”

Considering the health benefits, they concluded, “The possible health-related and disease prevention benefits of consuming 100% juice as part of a balanced diet should not be overlooked.”