A US study has shown that a glass of 100 per cent fruit juice every day can protect against stroke, heart disease and diabetes, as well as aid weight loss.
The juice of oranges, bananas and other fruits can help those who consume them maintain a healthy lifestyle, the researchers found.
The study found that 100 per cent juice drinkers were leaner, had better insulin sensitivity and had lower risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome.
The research team, which included Dr Mark Pereira and Dr Victor Fulgoni from the University of Minnesota, used data from the National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2004, which is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
They used homeostasis model assessment to help reach their conclusions.
More than 14,000 participants were used in the survey; specifically, US adults aged 19 years or older.
It was found that compared to non-consumers, 100 per cent juice drinkers had lower mean body mass index, a smaller waist circumference and lower insulin resistance.
The analysis showed that the risk for obesity was 22 per cent lower among 100 per cent juice drinkers, while the risk for metabolic syndrome - defined as the presence of three or more of the following: obesity, elevated blood glucose, elevated fasting triglycerides, low HDL-cholesterol, elevated blood pressure - was 15 per cent lower compared to non-consumers.
Pereira said: “We know that maintaining a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables is linked to decreased risk of some chronic diseases. One cup of 100 per cent fruit juice counts as a serving of fruit and, based on our analysis, 100 per cent juice consumption is associated with some of these same benefits.”
But according to the researchers, the intake of 100 per cent juice was generally associated with other healthy behaviour.
The juice consumers had higher physical activity levels and better diets, including lower fat intakes, higher fibre intakes and lower added-sugar intakes.
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