MYTHS AND FACTS RELATED TO INDUSTRIALIZED JUICES
The analysis of the sample of 217 juices reveals facts and bring down many myths related to industrialized products.
MYTH: THEY ARE POOR IN NUTRIENTS
FACT: THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT NUTRIENTS, CHARACTERISTIC FOR THE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES PRESENT IN THE JUICES
- Generally, they contain VITAMIN C in high quantities. In addition, they have bioactive compounds characteristic for fruit and vegetables, such as polyphenols and anthocyanins; and
- There are beverages with significant content of PROTEINS and FIBERS.
MYTH: THEY HAVE HIGH QUANTITIES OF FAT, SUGAR, AND CALORIES PER GRAM
FACT: THEY VARY REGARDING THE SUGAR AND CALORIES PER ml, AND THERE ARE MANY BRANDS WITH SUGAR-FREE AND LOW CALORIES. THE FAT CONTENT IN THE JUICES IS LITTLE RELEVANT
- The quantities of CARBOHYDRATES vary among the brands; there are many products with low carbohydrates content;
- There are diet/light versions with calories reduction;
- All the analyzed products are LOW in fats.
MYTH: THEY HAVE HIGH QUANTITIES OF SODIUM
FACT: ALL THE PRODUCTS ARE VERY LOW IN SODIUM, AND MANY OF THEM DO NOT HAVE SODIUM
- 45% of the 217 products researched do not contain salt.
- The quantities of sodium present are very low (in the analyzed sample: average value of 9.7 mg/200 ml and highest value of 5 mg/200 ml)
MYTH: THERE IS LITTLE PRESENCE OF IN NATURA FOOD
FACT: FRUITS AND VEGETABLES ARE THE MAIN INGREDIENTS, MANY OTHER PRODUCTS ADD OTHER NUTRITIVE RAW MATERIAL
- Basically, industrialized juices, nectars, and refreshments are made with fruit and vegetables; these ingredients need to be present in minimum quantities, according to the legislation;
- Industrialized juices, nectars, and refreshments are not made from substances originated from synthesized food from other organic sources;
- Industrialized juices, nectars, and refreshments are not imitations of juices made at houses, snack bars, and restaurants; the authenticity and good quality is required to be successful in the consumer market; and
- Industrialized juices, nectars, and refreshments are not inventions of the modern science and technology applied in the industries; C&T de alimentos has evolved significantly in the last few decades and contributed to improve the products quality and safety.
MYTH: FALSE BECAUSE THEY ARE PRESENT IN FOOD INGREDIENTS OF INDUSTRIAL USE
FACT: THE EVENTUAL USE OF FOOD INGREDIENTS OF INDUSTRIAL USE CAN OCCUR, BUT IT IS NOT A RULE OF THUMB IN THE SECTOR, AND ALL OF THESE INGREDIENTS ARE APPROVED BY ANVISA (MINISTRY OF HEALTH) AS SAFE FOR CONSUMPTION
- Some companies use a large quantity of ingredients, however, other don’t
- In an industrial scale, it can be inevitable to use food raw materials in its original state, being its processing necessary. However, the processes used in the ingredients processing or extraction are developed and used in compliance with the technical and safety standards.
MYTH: THEY ARE BAD BECAUSE THEY HAVE A HIGH NUMBER OF INGREDIENTS
FACT: JUICES COMPOSITION VARIES ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THIS IS NOT AN INDICATOR OF LACK OF QUALITY, HEALTH, OR SAFETY
MYTH: THEY USE ADDITIVES CAPABLE TO MAKE THE PRODUCT EXTREMELY ATTRACTIVE (ADDITIVE)
FACT: COMPANIES LOOK TOR WAYS TO MAKE THE PRODUCT MORE ATTRACTIVE, BUT THERE ARE NO ADDITIVES CAPABLE OF ADDICTING THE CONSUMER
MYTH: THEY ARE FREQUENTLY ADDED WITH AIR OR WATER
FACT: 100% JUICE DOES NOT HAVE WATER ADDED. WATER IS THE BASIC INGREDIENT OF NECTARS AND FRUIT REFRESHMENTS, INDUSTRIALIZED OR NOT, AND IS ALSO NATURALLY PRESENT IN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
- Whole JUICES are not added with water. Reconstituted JUICES have water added at the quantity allowed to recompose the products in its natural form. The other products, TROPICAL JUICES, NECTARS, FRUIT REFRESHMENTS AND BEVERAGES have minimum quantities of juice established by the legislation. The LIQUID FOOD have water added, but usually do not have higher content of solid ingredients.
MYTH: THEY ARE BAD BECAUSE THEY HAVE UNFAMILIAR INGREDIENTS NAMES
FACT: IN FACT, SOME INGREDIENTS ARE A LITTLE UNFAMILIAR, BUT EACH OF THEM HAS A PURPOSE, AND THIS IS NOT AN INDICATOR OF LACK OF QUALITY, HEALTH, OR SAFETY
MYTH: THEY USE HARMFUL MANUFACTURING PROCESSES
FACT: THE JUICE, NECTARS, AND REFRESHMENTS MANUFACTURING PROCESSES ARE SAFE. INDUSTRIES USE PROCESSES APPROVED BU THE REGULATORY AGENCIES AND ADOPT QUALITY AND SAFETY SYSTEMS
Learn about the complete study on Industrialized Juices!
ES
PT