What's the Deal with These Antioxidant Super Fruit Juices I am Hearing About?

Question: I keep hearing great things about these antioxidant super fruit juices, and I even have a few friends that decided to become distributors. Am I missing out on something? Should I be adding these juices to my daily regimen?

Answer: These products are definitely popular these days, but here’s the scoop. Most of these products are exotic fruit juices marketed as super antioxidants, which supposedly have beneficial effects on the body. Unfortunately, many of these claims come from distributors or the elaborate marketing materials developed by the companies themselves. Research is often touted, too, but most of the studies that are referenced have been done on a specific fruit or an extract of that fruit, not the actual juice being sold to you. Plus, many of the manufacturers add other juice concentrates as well, so you have no idea how much of the supposed active ingredients are actually in the final product. This is pretty standard, though there may be a few exceptions. The other issue with these juices is the cost. Many of them sell for $20-$85 per bottle, with a typical serving being only a few ounces per day. The high cost is usually attributed to highly paid consultants and the distribution network itself, since everyone involved gets a piece of the monetary pie. The bottom line is these juices don’t appear to be harmful, but are they actually making you any healthier? That question is hard to answer. Before making a purchase, it would be wise to gather all the facts you can and ask a registered dietitian if you have any questions about a specific product.

About the author: Grant Pritchard is the club owner at Anytime Fitness in Buckley & Orting.