Canadian researchers have discovered a correlation between children's daily fruit juice consumption and weight gain, as revealed in a JAMA Pediatrics publication. The paper includes a meta-analysis of 42 studies examining the impact of 100% fruit juice on Body Mass Index (BMI), with 17 studies focusing on children and 25 on adults.
The study found a more pronounced effect of fruit juice on the BMI of younger children (under 11 years old) compared to older children. There was no significant correlation identified between adults' juice consumption and BMI. These results imply that limiting fruit juice consumption in children may help prevent excessive calorie intake and weight gain.
The researchers propose that the high levels of free sugars and energy in fruit juice contribute to weight gain, in contrast to consuming whole fruits. They theorize that consuming liquid calories, as in 100% fruit juice, leads to greater weight gain than solid calories. Additionally, fruit juice has less dietary fibre than whole fruit, resulting in rapid fructose absorption in the liver.
The studies considered were sourced from various regions including North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, and New Zealand. The Eat for Health government website advises occasional fruit juice consumption due to its acidity, potential for dental erosion, and lower fibre and nutrient content compared to whole fruit.
The use of BMI as a health indicator is a contentious issue. It is currently being reassessed, as explored in the recent Cosmos podcast series "Debunks: Weight".
Source: cosmosmagazine.com