The role of fruit juice in a balanced diet – Volume 5 – (Article 5 of 5)
by Dr Marli Botha
Bioactive substances in fruits, like polyphenols and carotenoids, are designed to provide the plants with natural protection from predators and microorganisms. However, they can also provide health benefits for humans who consume them.
Here’s how fruit juice contributes to optimal health:
- Phytochemicals have antioxidant properties that may provide desirable health benefits beyond basic nutrition to reduce the risk of the development of chronic diseases.
- Here are just a handful of the most beneficial polyphenols, and which fruit juices contain them: Hesperidin (Orange juice), Naringin (Grapefruit juice), Procyanidins and Quercetin (Apple juice), Anthocyanins (Berry juice) and Proanthocyanins, Anthocyanins, and Flavonols can all be found in Cherry juice.
- Substances like polyphenols (bioactive substances found in plants), oligosaccharides (a type of carbohydrate), and fibre (roughage) found in fruit juice may have a prebiotic-like effect. Probiotics is defined as the beneficial bacteria that live in our gut and contribute to overall health, prebiotics are the food supply for those probiotics.
References:
https://safja.co.za/health-and-nutrition
https://fruitjuicesciencecentre.eu/en/diet-and-nutrition/benefits-of-different-fruit-polyphenols
https://fruitjuicesciencecentre.eu/en/diet-and-nutrition/fruit-juice-and-our-gut-health
