A new survey found a shocking amount of sugars in children's juices.
Over a quarter of the products surveyed contained the same amount of sugar as Coca Cola, which amounts to a hefty five teaspoons per glass, Action Sugar reported. The organization is urging parents to give their children water or whole fruit juice as an alternative in order to reduce consumption of unnecessary sugars and calories.
Over half (117) of the drinks surveyed received a high "red label" for sugar content, some of these beverages included: Tesco Goodness Slurper Apple & Banana Fruit Smoothie Snack for kids, Rubicon Lychee Exotic Juice Drink, and Asda Chosen by Kids Tropical Juice From Concentrate.
Twenty-five percent of the children's juices contained at least six teaspoons of sugar per 200 ml, which is the daily maximum intake recommended for adults. 24 of the products surveyed were found to contain over 25 grams of sugar, which is more than the equivalent of two and a half Krispy Kreme donuts.
Even though fruit juice is naturally sweet, but over a quarter of the surveyed products contained added sugar or glucose-fructose syrup.
"Fruit when consumed 'whole' is both naturally sweet and good for you, as it contains fibre and vitamins. When processed into fruit juice drinks, the sugars (fructose) in the fruit cell walls are released as 'free sugars' which damage your teeth and provide unnecessary calories; you take in more calories without feeling full (A 200ml glass of orange juice can contain [three] oranges (14))," the researchers wrote.
The research suggests parents should be more wary of the sugar content of products they give to their kids.
"Parents are today being urged to make more informed food and drink switches such as; diluting fruit juice with water, opting for unsweetened juices, only giving them to children during meals, as well as limiting portions to a small glass, 150ml, a day or much better - drink water and eat whole fruit and vegetables," the researchers concluded.
