Do we know what we drink when we drink a glass of bottled orange juice ? An IPSOS survey of 2,099 health professionals revealed that there are many myths about the purity of orange juice , leading to an underestimation of its nutritional value. That consumers learn to differentiate between myths and facts related to the nutritional matrix of a glass of orange juice is the goal of the association Serious Fruit Juice .
Here are the five myths and realities about this drink , according to this organization:
Myth 1. 75% of health professionals surveyed mistakenly believed that orange juice contains colorants or preservatives.
Fact 1. European regulation prohibits adding sugars to fruit juice. Nothing is added or removed. This includes sugar, preservatives, colorants, stabilizers, and flavorings.
Myth 2. 60% of respondents did not know that orange juice contains polyphenols .
Fact 2. Orange juice is also one of the richest sources of hesperidin, a polyphenol from the flavanone subclass. Hesperidin has anti-inflammatory properties and can positively influence the elasticity and tone of blood vessels.
Myth 3. 30% of respondents still do not believe that orange juice can be beneficial to the health of their patients.
Fact 3. The nutrients in orange juice have three authoritative health claims in Europe. The vitamin C helps the normal functioning of the immune system, folate promotes a normal psychological function, and potassium helps maintain adequate blood pressure and proper muscle function.
Myth 4. Many health professionals believe that pasteurization and preservation destroy nutrients.
Reality 4. Studies carried out by AMC Innova suggest that the levels of vitamin C in orange juice remain well above the minimum described in order to make claims that a product is “rich in” that element, even after 56 days of refrigeration.
Myth 5. A large number of health professionals in the EU believe that juice obtained from concentrate has a reduced amount of nutrients.
Fact 5. Vitamin C levels in orange juice from concentrate are considered “high” under EU regulation. Furthermore, the levels of hesperidin and potassium are similar regardless of whether the orange juice comes from concentrate or whether it is squeezed.
