What’s Really in Your Not-From-Concentrate-Orange Juice?
Should people stop drinking orange juice altogether?
Monica Reinagel, MS, LD/N, CNS
This recent expose on ABC News.com led a few anxious Nutrition Diva listeners to email me. “This article says that there are ingredients in not-from-concentrate orange juice that companies aren’t required to put on their labeling,” Daniel wrote. “Could those ingredients be harmful? Should people stop drinking orange juice altogether?”
As you’ll see if you click through to the article, manufacturers “boost” the flavor of their not-from-concentrate orange juice (which often sits around in stainless steel tanks for long periods) with orange pulp or orange peel. The reason that the companies don’t have to list these additives is that they are normally present in orange juice. Although this practice certainly seems deceitful (and certainly casts doubt on just how fresh and/or wholesome these products really are), I don’t think it’s in any way harmful.
That said, I’m not a big fan of fruit juice in the first place. While I don’t think that people need to “stop drinking orange juice altogether,” I do think they’d be a lot better off eating fruit than drinking fruit juice.
Related Content: Fruit and Fruit Juice
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About the Author
Monica Reinagel is a board-certified licensed nutritionist, author, and the creator of one of iTunes’ most highly ranked health and fitness podcasts. Her advice is regularly featured on the TODAY show, Dr. Oz, NPR, and in the nation’s leading newspapers, magazines, and websites. Do you have a nutrition question? Call the Nutrition Diva listener line at 443-961-6206. Your question could be featured on the show.