fruit juices a healthy alternative to soda

As significant percentages of parents wisely abandon HFCS and sugar-filled sodas as a viable beverage option for their children, corporations are capitalizing on the health-conscious trend by pushing fruit juices as a healthy alternative. Most parents who buy juices think they are making a wise choice, often because of the outlandish health claims juice makers put on the labels. In reality, however, parents shouldnot only be paying close attention to the murky ingredient list that lurks behind that bright, colorful, attractive front label, but should also reconsider feeding their children processed fruit juice altogether.

Some ingredients to watch out for

Sodium Benzoate - has been shown to destroy the mitochondrial DNA of yeast cells and, according to Professor Peter Piper of Sheffield University, could do the same to human cells in the long-term. Additionally, two recent British government funded studies have found that sodium benzoate adversely affects child behavior. If that weren't enough, benzene, a known carcinogen, occurs when sodium benzoate combines with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and the preservative potassium benzoate.

Natural Flavors - or basically any combination of molecules a chemist can derive from 'natural' sources to make their food taste or look a certain way. Often the sources of these flavors have nothing to do with the type of juice advertised on the label.

Carmine (also called Crimson Lake, Cochineal, Natural Red #4, C.I. 75470, E120) - or powdered scale insect bodies boiled in ammonia and processed as a food additive, is certainly an example of something that comes from a 'natural' source that has nothing to do with what is on the label. Crushed beetles anyone?

Food Dyes - such as Red #40, have been linked to hyperactivity and other behavioral problems. Many companies use petroleum-derived food coloring over real juice to save money.

Maltodextrin - is the starch-like substance some manufacturers add to fruit juices so they can make a 'high-fiber' claim on the label. Why keep the natural fiber in juice when you can apparently save money by adding a cheap chemically refined sugar, made from GM corn, that has been shown to promote weight gain?

Sugar/Fructose - The adverse health consequences of sugar are well known. What many parents don't realize, however, is that children can consume as much or more sugar in fruit drinks than in sodas and junk food.