Daily Tip

Does fruit juice have fewer antioxidants than the fresh fruit itself?

Yes, fruit juice has fewer antioxidants than fresh fruit. While juice can be a delicious and refreshing beverage, unfortunately it doesn’t provide you with the whole range of nutrients, including antioxidants, which you can get from the whole fruit.

That’s because juicers usually separate the juice from the pulp, and within the pulp resides a concentration of nutrients, including many of the carotenoid and flavonoid phytonutrients, which have powerful antioxidant activity. You’ll often find juices that indicate “Most Pulp” or “Lots of Pulp,” but even in this case, the processing of the juice is a step that destroys some of the antioxidant components. Additionally, the peel in some fruits—such as apples, for example—is rich in phytonutrients such as antioxidant flavonoids. Yet, in commercially prepared juices, the peel may be removed before the juicing process, so you won’t get the benefits you would from eating the whole fruit.

It’s important to remember that the skins of fruits are also the most susceptible to pesticide sprays therefore your best option is to purchase certified organic fruit that is not sprayed with synthetic pesticides.

For more information on this topic, see: