Can Juicy Juice Cause Diarrhea? Understanding the Sugars in Fruit Juice

December 11, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, excessive fruit juice consumption is linked to diarrhea, particularly in young children. So, can Juicy Juice cause diarrhea? The answer lies in its sugar content, as with most fruit juices, and how the body processes those sugars when consumed in large amounts.

Quick Summary

Excessive intake of fruit juice, including brands like Juicy Juice, can cause diarrhea. This is due to the high concentration of natural fruit sugars like fructose and sorbitol, which the intestines can struggle to absorb, creating an osmotic effect that draws water into the bowel.

Key Points

Excessive Intake is Key: Diarrhea from Juicy Juice primarily results from drinking too much, overloading the digestive system with sugar.
High Sugar Content: All fruit juices, including Juicy Juice, contain high levels of natural fruit sugars like fructose, which can cause osmotic diarrhea.
Fructose and Sorbitol Malabsorption: Many people, especially children, cannot absorb large amounts of fructose and sorbitol efficiently, leading to digestive issues.
Impact on Digestion: Undigested sugars in the colon ferment, producing gas and attracting water, which results in loose stools.
Toddler Sensitivity: Young children are especially susceptible to juice-induced diarrhea due to their immature digestive systems, a condition sometimes called 'toddler's diarrhea'.
Prioritize Whole Fruit: The fiber in whole fruit slows sugar absorption, making it a much better nutritional choice than fruit juice.

The Core Culprit: The Osmotic Effect of Fruit Sugars

Yes, Juicy Juice, or any brand of 100% fruit juice, can cause diarrhea if consumed in excess. The primary reason is the high concentration of natural fruit sugars, mainly fructose, and sometimes the sugar alcohol sorbitol. When these sugars are ingested in large quantities, especially when separated from the natural fiber of whole fruit, they can overwhelm the digestive system's ability to absorb them efficiently.

How Carbohydrate Malabsorption Leads to Diarrhea

Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the process:

Overload of Sugars: When you drink a large amount of fruit juice, you consume a concentrated dose of fruit sugars, far more than you would get from eating a single piece of fruit.
Impaired Absorption: For some individuals, and particularly for babies and toddlers with immature digestive systems, the small intestine cannot fully absorb this high volume of fructose and sorbitol.
Osmotic Pull: The unabsorbed sugars then pass into the large intestine. Because of their high osmotic load, they draw excess water from the body's tissues into the bowel.
Bacterial Fermentation: The bacteria naturally present in the large intestine begin to ferment these undigested sugars. This process produces gas, which leads to bloating and discomfort.
Watery Stools: The combination of increased water and bacterial activity results in watery, loose stools, which is clinically known as osmotic diarrhea.

Juicy Juice Ingredients and Your Digestion

While Juicy Juice prides itself on using 'no added sugar' or 'no high fructose corn syrup', this does not eliminate the natural fructose and other sugars from the fruit concentrates used in its production. For instance, apple and pear juices, common ingredients in many Juicy Juice flavors, are naturally high in fructose and sometimes sorbitol, which are known to be poorly absorbed by some individuals.

Juice vs. Whole Fruit: A Digestive Comparison


Feature	Fruit Juice (e.g., Juicy Juice)	Whole Fruit (e.g., Apple)
Fiber Content	Low to none (pulp is removed)	High (contained within the fruit's pulp and skin)
Digestion Speed	Very rapid, causing quick sugar absorption and spikes	Slower, thanks to fiber which regulates sugar release
Nutrient Absorption	Can lead to malabsorption of certain carbohydrates in large doses	Efficient and steady, providing a balanced nutrient profile
Caloric Density	Easy to overconsume calories quickly	High fiber and volume promote satiety, making it harder to overeat
Osmotic Effect	Significant potential to cause diarrhea if consumed in excess	Minimal risk, as fiber and slow digestion prevent a sugar overload

The Special Case of Toddler's Diarrhea

Excessive fruit juice consumption is a well-documented cause of chronic, non-specific diarrhea in toddlers, often referred to as 'toddler's diarrhea'. A toddler's digestive system is still developing, making it particularly sensitive to the sugar load in juice. Pediatricians and health experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), strongly advise limiting or avoiding fruit juice for this reason, recommending whole fruit instead. While juice might be used to treat constipation due to its osmotic effect, giving it in large amounts can easily tip the scale toward problematic diarrhea.

The Importance of Moderation and Informed Choices

If you or your child enjoys fruit juice, moderation is key. The AAP provides specific guidelines on limiting juice intake based on age. For toddlers aged 1–3, the limit is 4 ounces per day. For children aged 4–6, it's 4–6 ounces per day, and for older children, it's up to 8 ounces. Choosing juice with a balanced fructose-to-glucose ratio, such as white grape juice, may also be less likely to cause digestive upset than those high in fructose and sorbitol like apple juice. You should also ensure that any juice consumed is pasteurized to avoid pathogens that can cause serious illness.

Conclusion

Can Juicy Juice cause diarrhea? Yes, it can, especially when consumed in excessive amounts. The high concentration of natural sugars, particularly fructose and sorbitol, can cause carbohydrate malabsorption in the small intestine. This leads to an osmotic effect that pulls water into the colon, causing gas, bloating, and watery stools. This is a common issue, particularly in toddlers, and is a key reason health organizations recommend limiting fruit juice in children's diets. By understanding the digestive impact of fruit juice and prioritizing moderation and whole fruit consumption, you can prevent juice-related digestive issues and support overall health. For further information, see the official recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding fruit juice consumption for children.

Frequently Asked Questions

Juice can cause diarrhea because it contains a high concentration of fruit sugars (fructose and sorbitol). When consumed in large amounts, these sugars can be poorly absorbed by the intestines, creating an osmotic effect that draws water into the bowel, leading to watery stools.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting 100% fruit juice to 4 ounces daily for toddlers 1-3 years old, 4-6 ounces for children 4-6, and 8 ounces for children 7-18.

Excessive consumption of fruit juice is a well-known cause of chronic, non-specific diarrhea in toddlers, often referred to as 'toddler's diarrhea.' It typically resolves when juice intake is reduced or eliminated.

While Juicy Juice contains no added sugar or high fructose corn syrup, it is still concentrated with the natural sugars found in fruit, particularly fructose. The high concentration of these natural sugars is what can cause digestive upset.

Juices with a high fructose-to-glucose ratio and those containing sorbitol, such as apple and pear juice, are more likely to cause digestive issues. White grape juice, with its more balanced sugar profile, is often better tolerated.

Yes, whole fruit is far better. It contains dietary fiber, which slows the absorption of natural sugars and supports healthy digestion, preventing the sugar overload that can lead to diarrhea.

Reduce or eliminate juice from their diet and ensure they are well-hydrated with water. If diarrhea persists, becomes severe, or is accompanied by other symptoms like fever, vomiting, or blood in the stool, consult a doctor.