Read the text below.
A new study has revealed that regularly consuming fruit juices can increase the risk of early death.
A group of researchers from Emory University and Cornell University teamed up to study the impact of drinking fruit juice on a person’s health. The team gathered data from 13,440 American adults who were part of another study that concluded in 2013. The participants had no record of heart disease, but majority of them were above their ideal weight.
The researchers asked the participants questions about consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks and fruit juices. Around 81% of the participants said that they drink sugar-sweetened drinks like cola, while 94% reported drinking fruit juices. The researchers observed the participants for a span of six years. During this period, over 1,000 had died from various causes, with 168 of them due to heart disease.
Results showed that drinking excessive amounts of fruit juice was related to a 24% increased risk of premature death. The researchers said that drinks rich in sugar drive insulin resistance. Similarly, fruit sugar increases fat deposits around the waist, which could lead to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
In addition, the researchers explained that sugar-sweetened drinks and fruit juices have very similar content. While fruit juices contain vitamins and other nutrients missing from sugar-sweetened drinks, both beverages are predominantly sugar and water.
However, some experts who reviewed the study said that its results are weak. This is because the study’s data came from self-reports, which may be unreliable. Nonetheless, others said that the study’s findings should still be given importance. They advised people to limit fruit juice consumption and eat pieces of fruit instead.