WHO says 100% fruit juice makes ‘little/no difference’ to obesity risk in children

Published in Advances in Nutrition, the study found differences in markers of body composition and weight when sugar-sweetened beverages, artificially sweetened beverages or 100% fruit juice were consumed by children.

While positive associations were seen between high intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages and percentage body fat, no associations were found between consumption of 100% fruit juice and weight or body composition markers. The authors said: “Artificially sweetened beverages and 100% fruit juice consumption may make little/no difference to BMI, % body fat or overweight/obesity outcomes.”

These findings are consistent with previous systematic reviews conducted in this area, finding no clinically significant effects on children’s weight when they consume 100% fruit juice.

Reference

Rousham et al. (2021). Unhealthy Food and Beverage Consumption in Children and Risk of Overweight and Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Adv Nutr. nmac032. doi: 10.1093/advances/nmac032.