Non-Sugar Fruit Juices Don't Cause Obesity, Research Indicates

Pamela Rockwell is a family physician and an assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan Health System and in the past she has told parents to limit their children's in take of fruit juice because of its link to obesity. Now she advises just the opposite as the result of the study that she has just completed.

The study completed this year found that there is no association whatever existing between childhood obesity and fruit juices that do not have sugar added. Other studies have shown that may fruit juices are very beneficial to good health. Juices such as pomegranate, orange and cranberry have been shown to actually prevent or cure diseases.

In particular, pomegranate juice is rich in antioxidants and it has been shown to lower LDL, or bad, cholesterol. Research also has shown that it may inhibit the growth of prostate cancer by stabilizing the levels of PSA. Other research showed it can be beneficial to patients who have ischemic coronary heart disease by increasing the blood flow to the heart.

The old breakfast standby, orange juice has shown that it may help prevent kidney stones from reoccurring.

Cranberry juice had been used to treat urinary tract infections for many years, but now is shows that it may actually be able to help prevent a UTI. Blueberry juice has also shown the same effects in preventing UTI's.

Different studies have shown that increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's People who drank either fruit or vegetable juices more than three times a week were 76% less likely to eventually develop Alzheimer's than those who had juices less than once a week.

She does warn parents that the only juices with benefits are those that are 100% pure juice with no additives such has high levels of corn syrup, which is usually high fructose corn syrup. This is usually found in drinks that are labeled fruit drinks. Corn syrup can lead to higher blood sugar and obesity.