Researchers Warn Parents: Pure Fruit Juices, Smoothies Contain Twice As Much Sugar As Other Fruit Drinks

Researchers from the University of Liverpool have warned parents about the inclusion of pure fruit juices and smoothies in a child's daily consumption. They found that the levels of sugar on the said drinks are "unacceptably high" and at least twice as much as other fruit drinks.

According to the Telegraph, a study, published in BMJ Open, has examined 158 drinks and found that pure fruit juices and smoothies contain sugar which is twice the content of an average juice drink. An average juice drink possesses 5.6 grams of sugar per 100 ml. They also discovered that 40 percent of the assessed drinks contained as much sugar in one portion as a child should consume in a day, which is a maximum of 150ml.

"It is highly concerning that many parents are still buying fruit juices and juice drinks for their children thinking they are choosing healthy products; children should be given as little juice as possible," said Kawther Hashem, co-author of the study. "These juices rot children's teeth and give children a 'sweet tooth' that will affect their general health in later life."

With the recent findings, the researchers recommended that pure fruit juices and smoothies should be excluded as parts of "five a day" consumption. They also advised parents to reduce the sugar content of fruit juices by adding water, or choose buying unsweetened juices. They are also encouraging the public to alter their habits and consume less fruit juices and smoothies.

"Our advice is to eat the fruit, don't drink the juice. Juice should be an occasional treat, not an 'everyday' drink," Hashem stated.

The researchers also called on the manufacturers to reduce the sugar content of pure fruit juices and smoothies or be covered by the new planned sugar taxes of the British government. In the new proposed taxes, pure fruit juices and smoothies are exempted as they are deemed healthy.

The Daily Mail reports that one in five British children aged 4 to 5 years old, and one in three children aged 11 years old are overweight or obese. Children between 4 and 10 years old get 30 percent of their sugar consumption from soft drinks. Sugar is also the main cause of tooth decay, which is one of the leading reasons why children are admitted to England hospitals.