Fruit juices come in all forms, flavors and sizes. For parents like us, it’s really convenient to keep juices in stock and ready to quench our young one’s thirst but it often comes with a price. Juices pack a double whammy with its acid and sugar content – two culprits that work best in eroding the teeth and causing decay.
What about 100% fruit juices, will these rot your child’s teeth?
Now with so many food marketing jargons, let’s make the definitions clear. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration defines the term “100 percent fruit juice” as a beverage made from fruit; 100 percent fruit juice differs from “juice drinks,” which are diluted with water and may contain added sugars or other ingredients.
Previous studies haven’t found a link between 100% juice and tooth decay. So a new study from the American Dental Association surveyed nearly 2,300 children in the US between 2 and 5 years old to find out if it does. The verdict is no, regardless of socioeconomic background. Children who consume four to six ounces of 100% fruit juice or more per day do not suffer from tooth decay caused by the drink.
So if you’re the type who loves making real fresh juice without adding sugar for your family, this is another reason to celebrate!
With that in mind, we leave you with more recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Juice should not be introduced into the diet of infants before 6 months of age.
- Infants should not be given juice from bottles or easily transportable covered cups that allow them to consume juice easily throughout the day. Infants should not be given juice at bedtime.
- Intake of fruit juice should be limited to 4 to 6 oz/d for children 1 to 6 years old.
- For children 7 to 18 years old, juice intake should be limited to 8 to 12 oz or 2 servings per day.
- Children should be encouraged to eat whole fruits to meet their recommended daily fruit intake.
