Juice Plus: The Hidden Dangers You Need to Know
Juice Plus may not be good for you due to its high sugar content, lack of whole food benefits, and potential for misleading health claims.
Juice Plus markets itself as a convenient way to get your daily fruits and vegetables. But is it really as healthy as it claims? Let’s examine why this popular supplement may not be good for you.
What Is Juice Plus?
Juice Plus is a line of supplements containing dehydrated fruit and vegetable powders in capsule or gummy form. The company claims it provides concentrated plant-based nutrition to “bridge the gap” in your diet.
How It’s Made
The process involves:
- Juicing fruits and vegetables
- Dehydrating the juice
- Grinding into powder
- Adding synthetic vitamins (A, C, E, folate)
- Encapsulating or making into gummies
5 Reasons Juice Plus Isn’t Good For You
1. Missing Critical Fiber
Whole fruits and vegetables contain fiber, which is completely removed during Juice Plus processing. Fiber is essential for:
- Gut health
- Blood sugar control
- Cholesterol management
- Weight management
For real fiber benefits, consider using a cold press juicer that retains more nutrients.
2. Questionable Nutrient Absorption
There’s no evidence the nutrients in Juice Plus are as bioavailable as those in whole foods. Many phytonutrients degrade during processing.
3. High Sugar Content
The gummies contain added sugars – up to 5g per serving. This defeats the purpose of a “healthy” supplement.
4. Exaggerated Health Claims
Distributors often make unfounded claims about Juice Plus curing diseases. The FDA has issued warnings about these misleading statements.
5. Multi-Level Marketing Structure
Juice Plus uses an MLM model where distributors profit from recruiting others. This creates bias in product recommendations.
Scientific Evidence Against Juice Plus
| Claim | Reality |
|---|---|
| “Equivalent to 25 servings of fruits/vegetables” | No standardized measurement exists for this claim |
| “Boosts immunity” | Limited evidence, mostly test-tube studies |
| “Reduces disease risk” | No long-term human studies support this |
According to McGill University, the antioxidant power of two Juice Plus capsules equals just 2-3 bites of an apple.
Better Alternatives to Juice Plus
1. Whole Fruits and Vegetables
Nothing beats fresh produce. Aim for 5-9 servings daily of varied colors.
2. Fresh Juices
Make nutrient-rich juices at home using a slow cold press juicer to maximize benefits.
3. Smoothies
Blend whole fruits and vegetables to retain all fiber. Add greens, nuts, and seeds for extra nutrition.
The Bottom Line
Juice Plus is an expensive, processed supplement that can’t replace whole foods. For true health benefits, focus on eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables daily. If you want convenience, invest in quality juicing equipment to make fresh, nutrient-packed drinks at home.
As noted by health experts, you’re better off spending the $3 daily cost of Juice Plus on fresh produce that provides complete nutrition.
