Understanding the Simply Juice Line: Juice vs. Juice Drink
Simply, owned by The Coca-Cola Company, has a diverse portfolio of beverages. This variety is a major reason for the confusion regarding added sugar. The company offers two main categories that are important to distinguish:
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Simply 100% Juices: These products, like the flagship Simply Orange, are made from 100% pure squeezed, not-from-concentrate fruit juice. By definition, 100% fruit juice does not contain any added sugars. The sweetness comes entirely from the natural sugars (fructose, glucose, and sucrose) present in the fruit itself. For instance, a serving of Simply Orange contains no added sugars, as confirmed on its nutrition label.
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Simply Juice Drinks: This category includes beverages like Simply Lemonade, Simply Fruit Punch, and Simply Cranberry Cocktail. Unlike the 100% juices, these are not pure fruit juice. They are water-based drinks blended with fruit juices and, crucially, contain added sweeteners, often cane sugar. The inclusion of cane sugar makes these products significantly different nutritionally from their 100% juice counterparts.
Reading the Nutrition Label: A Crucial Skill
To avoid confusion, becoming a savvy label-reader is essential. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now requires nutrition labels to list both Total Sugars and Added Sugars, making it much easier for consumers to differentiate.
- Total Sugars: This figure represents all the sugar in the product, including naturally occurring sugars from fruit and any added sugars.
- Added Sugars: This line item, indented under 'Total Sugars,' specifically states how many grams of sugar have been added during processing.
For a Simply 100% Orange Juice, the 'Added Sugars' line will read 0 grams. For a Simply Juice Drink, however, this number will be higher, reflecting the presence of cane sugar. Checking the ingredient list is another failsafe method, as ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. If you see "cane sugar" listed high on the list, you know it's a juice drink with added sugar.
The Difference Between Natural and Added Sugars
It's important to understand why this distinction matters from a nutritional perspective. Both natural and added sugars are simple carbohydrates that the body uses for energy. However, their impact on health can differ.
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Naturally Occurring Sugar: In 100% fruit juice, the sugar is packaged with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. In whole fruit, fiber is also present, which helps slow the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, preventing the rapid blood sugar spikes associated with sugary drinks.
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Added Sugar: The sugar in juice drinks offers minimal nutritional value beyond calories. Consuming high amounts of added sugar is linked to various health concerns, including weight gain, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
The Impact of Processing
Furthermore, even in 100% juices, the act of juicing removes the fiber found in whole fruit. This means that the body absorbs the natural sugars more quickly than if you were to eat the fruit whole, which can still cause a spike in blood sugar. Therefore, while 100% juice is a more nutritious option than a juice drink with added sugar, a whole piece of fruit remains the optimal choice for maximum fiber and balanced sugar absorption.
A Comparison: Simply 100% Juice vs. Simply Juice Drink
| Feature | Simply 100% Juice (e.g., Orange) | Simply Juice Drink (e.g., Peach) |
|---|---|---|
| Added Sugar | No added sugar. | Contains added sugar, often cane sugar. |
| Sweetness Source | Purely from the natural fruit sugars. | A combination of fruit juice and added sweeteners. |
| Ingredients | 100% fruit juice (e.g., orange juice). | Filtered water, fruit juice, cane sugar, and natural flavors. |
| Nutritional Profile | Higher concentration of vitamins, like Vitamin C, and minerals. | Higher in added sugars and often lower in the nutritional density of pure fruit. |
| Impact on Blood Sugar | Still contains natural sugars that can cause a spike due to the lack of fiber. | Can cause a significant blood sugar spike due to both concentrated fruit sugar and added cane sugar. |
How to Make the Healthiest Choice
Navigating the juice aisle can be straightforward if you remember these key points:
- Check the Label: Always look at the nutrition facts, specifically the 'Includes Added Sugars' line, to determine if a beverage contains extra sweeteners.
- Read the Ingredients: Scan the ingredients list for added sugars, which can be disguised under names like cane sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, or fruit juice concentrate.
- Differentiate Product Names: Be aware of the distinction between products labeled as "100% juice" and those called "juice drinks" or "cocktails". The latter almost always contains added sweeteners.
- Moderate Consumption: Even with 100% juice, moderation is key due to the concentrated natural sugar content. Health experts often recommend limiting juice intake to a small amount per day, preferably alongside meals.
- Choose Whole Fruit: For optimal health, prioritize eating whole fruits over drinking juice. Whole fruits provide essential fiber that helps regulate sugar absorption and promotes a feeling of fullness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether a Simply beverage contains added sugar depends entirely on the specific product. Simply's 100% juices, like Simply Orange, proudly advertise "no added sugar," getting their sweetness exclusively from the fruit. However, the brand's many popular juice drinks are sweetened with added sugars like cane sugar. For health-conscious consumers, learning to read nutrition labels and ingredients is the best way to make an informed decision that aligns with their dietary goals. Ultimately, understanding that 100% juice still contains a high concentration of natural sugar, while juice drinks contain added sweeteners, allows for a more nuanced approach to nutrition.
