American Academy of Pediatrics: Juice intake provides no benefits for kids under 1
WASHINGTON — Fruit juice provides no nutritional benefit to children under age 1 and should not be included in their diet, according to a new policy statement issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This statement marks the Academy’s first change in recommendations on fruit juice since 2001.
Over past years, the Academy advised against offering fruit juice to children under the age of 6 months, but has now expanded that time frame to include the entire first year of life.
The statement, "Fruit Juice in Infants, Children and Adolescents: Current Recommendations," published in the June issue of Pediatrics (available online Monday) accounts for the rising rates of obesity and concerns about dental health based on evidence accumulated over recent years.
“Parents may perceive fruit juice as healthy, but it is not a good substitute for fresh fruit and just packs in more sugar and calories,” said Melvin B. Heyman, MD, FAAP, co-author of the statement. “Small amounts in moderation are fine for older kids, but are absolutely unnecessary for children under 1.”
The new recommendations state that 100% fresh or reconstituted fruit juice can be a healthy part of the diet of children older than 1 year when consumed as part of a well-balanced diet. Consumption, however, should be limited depending on a child’s age.
The policy statement recommendations include:
Intake of juice should be limited to, at most, 4 ounces daily for toddlers age 1-3. For children age 4-6, fruit juice should be restricted to 4 to 6 ounces daily; and for children ages 7-18, juice intake should be limited to 8 ounces or 1 cup of the recommended 2 to 2.5 cups of fruit servings per day.
Toddlers should not be given juice from bottles or easily transportable “sippy cups” that allow them to consume juice easily throughout the day. The excessive exposure of the teeth to carbohydrates can lead to tooth decay, as well. Toddlers should not be given juice at bedtime.
Children should be encouraged to eat whole fruits and be educated about the benefits of the fruit as compared with juice, which lacks dietary fiber and may contribute to excessive weight gain.
Human milk or infant formula is sufficient for infants, and low-fat/nonfat milk and water are sufficient for older children.
Consumption of unpasteurized juice products should be strongly discouraged for children of all ages.
Children who take specific forms of medication should not be given grapefruit juice, which can interfere with the medication’s effectiveness. In addition, fruit juice is not appropriate in the treatment of dehydration or management of diarrhea.
The juice products association responded by saying the following: "U.S. juice manufacturers have long supported the nutrition guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics and we agree with the AAP’s recommendation that 100% fruit juice, in both fresh and reconstituted forms, 'can be a healthy part of the diet of children older than 1 year when consumed as part of a well-balanced diet.' Further, juice manufacturers are aligned with the AAP’s recommendations regarding fruit juice consumption by infants.