STUDY REVEALS 100% FRUIT JUICE CONTRIBUTES POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES TO CHILDREN’S DIETS

ATLANTA (January 29, 2003) - According to a new study in the January 2003 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, children and adolescents can benefit health-wise from drinking 100% fruit juices. This new university research from the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences adds strong evidence to an ongoing debate about consumption of 100% fruit juice and finds that fruit juice consumption is not linked with problems related to overweight and growth problems in children.

After analyzing beverage consumption of more than 10,000 children from various age groups, the researchers found that while most children are within guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatrics for juice intake, children's consumption of less nutritious beverages surpasses their intake of 100 percent juice as early as age 5.

"Consuming 100 percent fruit juice has been positively associated with children achieving recommended nutrient intakes," said Miami-based registered dietitian and ADA spokesperson Sheah Rarback. The research also identifies that at around age 7, children's consumption of 100 percent real juice flat-lines and is replaced with beverages that have significantly less or no nutritional value.

"Guidelines on children’s beverage consumption are included as part of the Processed Apples Institute’s (PAI) consumer campaign on "Smart Sippin'," says Sue Taylor, R.D., director of nutrition communications for PAI. Taylor adds that a Gallup survey of pediatricians found that 9 out of 10 pediatricians believe that healthy beverages play an important role in a nutritious diet for children. The survey also found that 100 percent apple juice is the fruit juice most often recommended as the first juice for infants.

When it comes to a child's diet, PAI has always recommended that parents and caregivers discuss their child's nutritional requirements with their pediatrician, family physician or other health professional, especially for children under the age of one.

The Processed Apples Institute is a non-profit association of companies that make and supply products for the processed apples industry. Further information on "Smart Sippin'" is available on http://www.applejuice.org/SmartSip.html.

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