Current:Home > NewsIs apple juice good for you? 'Applejuiceification' is the internet's latest controversy. -ProfitPioneers Hub
Is apple juice good for you? 'Applejuiceification' is the internet's latest controversy.
View
Date:2025-04-13 06:01:33
The latest topic of viral online discourse might surprise you: It's apple juice.
X, formerly known as Twitter, user @echetus posted a thread on Monday, highlighting what they dubbed "applejuiceification and the illusion of choice." In other words, many varieties of juices sold at the grocery store contain a majority of apple juice, even if they're labeled as other flavors including "guava and lime," "pink dragon fruit and lychee" and "kiwi and cucumber."
While apple juice may not be what you think you're signing up for with a drink like that, does its inclusion have any health indications? Here's what experts say about the nutritional value of apple juice.
Is apple juice good for you?
The grocery aisle may offer you a slew of choices when it comes to apple juice. Depending on which kind you pick up, you'll likely benefit from adding some carbohydrates to your diet, as well as nutrients including vitamin C.
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamin C for adults range from 75 to 90 milligrams. Most apple juice brands offer an entire day's worth of vitamin C in one serving.
Vitamin C offers a slew of potential benefits including lessening common cold symptoms, promoting heart health and making collagen, an essential protein in making the body's connective tissue, research has shown.
Apple juice can also help keep you hydrated, thanks to its "high water content, electrolytes and natural sugars," registered dietitian Abbey Sharp tells USA TODAY.
Why does apple juice have so much sugar?
Sharp notes that some apple juice brands found at the grocery store may have a high sugar content due to added sugars to "enhance flavor." They also contain natural sugars from the apple.
Best apples to eat?Healthiest types from green to red and everything in between
The main difference between eating a piece of fruit and drinking fruit juice is that the latter usually removes the fruit's fiber, which is what helps slow down the body's blood sugar response, Sharp notes. That doesn't make one better or worse, but experts note that for those who have been told by a doctor to watch their blood sugar, pairing a non-fibrous fruit juice with a more balanced meal containing fiber, protein and/or fat can help better regulate the blood sugar and deliver a higher quality of nutrition.
"All juices are typically stripped of their beneficial fibers that help slow the absorption of sugars and reduce the glycemic index," Sharp says. That means that even unsweetened apple juice can cause blood sugar spikes.
Apple juice is also acidic. Sharp warns that those with acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and tooth sensitivity may experience exacerbated symptoms after drinking apple juice due to the acidity.
Are refined grains really the enemy?Here’s what nutrition experts want you to know
What is the healthiest juice to drink?
If you're looking to maximize health benefits and minimize downsides, Sharp recommends going for a vegetable-based juice or a juice or smoothie with the fruit's fibers still in tact, such as orange juice with pulp.
More:Bella Hadid, Erehwon, TikTok influencers are using sea moss. Is it actually good for you?
But overall, diet experts wants to remind people that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to eating healthy.
“The healthiest food in any category will depend on you, your budget, your culture, your health goals, and so much more,” registered dietitian Miranda Galati previously told USA TODAY. “It’s amazing to make more nutrient-dense choices when possible, but choosing the more processed or convenient option isn’t always a bad thing either. As a registered dietitian who wants you to build a healthy lifestyle that lasts, I’d recommend ditching the idea that there’s a healthiest version of anything.”
veryGood! (34786)
Related
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- 'Yellowstone' Season 5, Part 2: Here's when the final episode comes out and how to watch
- Chiquis comes from Latin pop royalty. How the regional Mexican star found her own crown
- Gas prices set to hit the lowest they've been since 2021, AAA says
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- 'Wicked' sing
- How to watch the Geminid meteor shower this weekend
- Man on trial in Ole Miss student’s death lied to investigators, police chief says
- Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
- Michael Cole, 'The Mod Squad' and 'General Hospital' actor, dies at 84
Ranking
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- Making a $1B investment in the US? Trump pledges expedited permits — but there are hurdles
- This drug is the 'breakthrough of the year' — and it could mean the end of the HIV epidemic
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- Trump says Kari Lake will lead Voice of America. He attacked it during his first term
- Friend for life: Mourning dog in Thailand dies at owner's funeral
- Small plane crashes onto New York highway, killing 1 person and injuring another
Recommendation
DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
Rebecca Minkoff says Danny Masterson was 'incredibly supportive to me' at start of career
Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
Blast rocks residential building in southern China
Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
PACCAR recalls over 220,000 trucks for safety system issue: See affected models