Fruit juice may help people be skinnier

NEW ORLEANS, April 23 (UPI) -- People who drink a glass of 100 percent juice daily have fewer risk factors for several chronic diseases, U.S. researchers found.

Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2004, Dr. Mark Pereira and Dr. Victor Fulgoni, co-authors from the University of Minnesota, found that, compared with non-consumers of juice, 100 percent juice consumers had lower mean body mass index, smaller waist circumference and lower insulin resistance.

Based on the analysis, risk for obesity was 22 percent lower among 100 percent juice drinkers, while risk for metabolic syndrome was 15 percent lower compared with non-consumers.

Metabolic syndrome is defined as the presence of three or more of the following: central obesity, elevated blood glucose, elevated fasting triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein "good" cholesterol or elevated blood pressure.

"We know that maintaining a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables is linked to decreased risk of some chronic diseases," Pereira said in a statement "One cup of 100 percent fruit juice counts as a serving of fruit and, based on our analysis, 100 percent juice consumption is associated with some of these same benefits."

The findings were presented at the Experimental Biology 2009 meeting in New Orleans.