Why Babies Shouldn't Drink Juice
The American Academy of Pediatrics recently tightened their guidelines on juice and announced in May 2017 that parents should “completely avoid the use of juice in infants before 1 year of age.” See: “Fruit Juice in Infants, Children, and Adolescents: Current Recommendations.”
Here's What You Need To Know:
- Eight ounces of 100% apple juice has just as much sugar as eight ounces of cola.
- Over the last couple of decades, pediatric gastroenterologists are seeing a dramatic rise in the number of children developing a dangerous liver disease.
- The fruit's fiber layer gets pulverized when it is juiced. This fiber keeps the fructose from getting absorbed too rapidly.
- Excessive sugar leads to harmful metabolic effects, such as insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease.
The Squeeze on Juice:
Two years ago, Dr. Uma Pisharody made waves when she successfully campaigned for the removal of juice from her hospital’s kid’s menu. In doing so, she became the first doctor in the country to get juice off a hospital menu. For Dr. Pisharody, it was a no brainer. She was telling kids suffering from metabolic disorder to curb their fructose and juice intake, and yet it was still being served at the treatment center.
Dr. Pisharody remains an active member of her community, where she coaches other medical professionals about the dangers of a high-fructose diet. We asked her to explain why she’s wary of juice, particularly for young children:
