Q: I keep hearing that all the sugar in juice is bad for you, but I’ve heard drinking fruit juices is good for you. Which ones are good?
A: Fruit juices do have a lot of sugar. The average 100 percent fruit juice contains between 11 and 18 grams of sugar per 100 milliliters, while human milk and infant formula contain 7 grams. But fruit juices contain small amounts of protein and minerals and can be fortified with vitamins, like vitamin C, making them healthier. The problem is that juices are easy to consume, generally viewed as healthy and taste good, so parents do not limit consumption. In general, no more than 6 ounces of fruit juice for a child 1 to 4 years old and no more than 12 ounces for a child older than 4 are OK when consumed with a healthy balanced diet. High levels of sugar in juices can lead to diarrhea, bloating and abdominal pain.
— Dr. Nita Shumaker, Galen North Pediatrics; member, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society
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