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Juice Guidelines Fruit juices can be given to babies after the age of six months.  There are no advantages before this age. Whole fruit is better than fruit juice. Juices should be given in a cup, not in bottles.  Sipping juices throughout the day causes tooth decay. Excessive juice consumption can cause diarrhoea, flatulence, abdominal bloating and pain, obesity, and undernutrition. Fruit juices are not appropriate for the treatment of diarrhoea and dehydration.
Fruit and Longevity Fruit eating is healthy, of course. Everyone knows that in a vague sort of way. Scientific research has now shown that people who eat fruit every day have a 24% reduction in death from heart disease, a 32% reduction in death from strokes and other brain problems, and a 21% reduction in mortality overall. We do not yet know precisely which factors in fruit are responsible for their pro health effects. The suspects are beta carotene, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and potassium.

Fruit Juices for Babies
and Children

Fruits and juices contain carbohydrates in high amounts, but very little fats and proteins.  They also contain vitamins, and small quantities of minerals.  Fruits contain fiber, juices do not.  Fresh whole fruit is preferable to fruit juices, but neither are a complete food, and should not replace breast milk or cereals.  Replacing breast milk with fruit juice will reduce the child's intake of protein, fats, calcium, iron, vitamins, and zinc.

Fruit juices contain a high concentration of carbohydrates -- 11 to 16 grams per 100 millilitres.  (The figure for breast milk is 7 grams).  Fruit juices are thus sweet and tasty, and the child may prefer them to breast feeding if they are introduced early.  Breast feeding alone provides all the nutrition a child needs up to the age of 4-6 months.  Fruit juices should be given to a child after the age 6 months.

How Much and When?

About 4-6 ounces (120-180 ml) of fruit juice is enough for children less than a year old.  Older children can have more than this, but they should be encouraged to eat whole fruit.

Fruit juice should be given as part of a meal, not as a meal in itself.  It should be given in a cup that the child finishes at one go; a bottle of juice which the child carries around all day is a bad idea.  Continual exposure of the teeth to carbohydrate leads to tooth decay.  Besides, overconsumption of fruit juice has other problems also.

Problems with Fruit Juices

Large amounts of carbohydrates cannot be digested by the child, and the undigested part is fermented by bacteria in the intestines.  This can lead to loose motions, gassiness (flatulence), tummy bloating, and pain.

Since the juices are tasty, and parents see them as healthy, some children may consume large amounts of these calorie rich drinks.  This can lead to overweight and obesity.  If fruit juice replaces other food, undernutrition may result, because of insufficient proteins and fats.

Fruit Juices in Diarrhoea

Fruit juices are often given to children with diarrhoea, but are quite inappropriate for this purpose.  A child with diarrhoea needs fluids with large concentrations of sodium.  Fruit juice contains tiny amounts of sodium, and very large amounts of carbohydrates, which may actually increase diarrhoea.

The oral rehydration solution recommended by the World Health Organisation contains 90 mEq of sodium per litre.  Fruit juices contain only 1-3 mEq/liter, and their use can cause a very dangerous condition called hyponatremia.

Packaged Products

Most packaged products in India are fruit drinks, not juices -- they contain additives such as sweeteners, colouring agents, and preservatives.  They're usually liked by children, who may consume large amounts if not prevented.

Last revision: July 15, 2007

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