Healthiest fruit juices to start your day with more energy
Which fruit juices are actually healthy? (photo: magnific)
Modern supermarkets offer an endless selection of fruit drinks, but most of them are simply juice blends. If you carefully read their ingredients, you may be shocked — they often contain as much added sugar as regular cola, according to Daily Mail.
How much juice is safe to drink
British doctors strictly limit the safe daily intake of any fruit juice to 150 ml (a little more than half a standard glass) and recommend drinking it only with meals.
Pomegranate juice
Pomegranate juice has earned a reputation as a superfood due to its high content of polyphenols — powerful antioxidants that give it a deep red color.
A large meta-analysis has shown that regular consumption of this drink can gently reduce levels of “bad” cholesterol and even blood pressure. Antioxidants effectively stop oxidative stress, preventing plaques from clogging your arteries.
However, expert Rob Hobson warns that pomegranate juice cannot replace medications (statins) and only works as part of a healthy diet. It is also important to buy only 100% cold-pressed juice, as popular store-bought versions are often diluted with cheaper juices and may contain up to 14 grams of sugar per 100 ml.
Cranberry and cherry
Cranberry juice has proven to be a real lifesaver for people prone to urinary tract infections. Recent studies show it can reduce the risk of developing the condition by an impressive 54% and lower the need for antibiotics. The key secret lies in proanthocyanidins, which literally prevent harmful bacteria from attaching to the bladder walls.
However, there is also a catch. Natural juice is very acidic, so manufacturers often add large amounts of sugar. Dietitians recommend choosing the least sweetened versions. In addition, this drink is strictly forbidden for people taking blood-thinning medications (warfarin).
Another underrated hero is tart cherry juice. It contains natural melatonin, which can extend sleep duration in people with insomnia by up to one hour. It is also an ideal drink for athletes, as it has been proven to reduce muscle pain after intense workouts and speed up recovery.
Dangerous grapefruit and useless apple juice
Despite its high levels of vitamin C, potassium, and flavonoids, grapefruit juice can be fatal for people taking medications.
This fruit blocks an important intestinal enzyme, which prevents drugs (statins, blood pressure medications, sedatives) from breaking down properly, potentially leading to toxic levels in the blood.
If you are taking any prescription medication, consulting a doctor before consuming this juice is essential.
As for the popular apple juice, experts debunk the common myth about its benefits. Clear filtered apple juice contains almost no valuable nutrients.
If you still want to drink it, choose only cloudy cold-pressed juice with pulp, as it retains traces of beneficial polyphenols. However, remember that no juice, even the most expensive one, can ever replace a whole fresh apple, which is rich in essential fiber.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
