Expert recommends fruit juice for harmattan, good health

A health and wellness advocate, Dr. Bisi Abiola, has urged Nigerians to embrace the consumption of 100 per cent fruit juice in order to reduce dehydration in this harmattan season.

During the December edition of Chivita-sponsored health and wellness dialogue, Abiola also warned against indulging in excessive sugar consumption during Yuletide. She advised individuals to take pure fruit juice instead, as it is healthy and highly nutritious.

According to the health and fitness expert, the dustiness and dryness associated with harmattan in most parts of the country call for increased intake of pure fruit juice as an essential survival strategy for adults and children.

She said: “Quite often, we talk about celebration without considering the fact that you can only have fun when you are healthy. What is your nutritional objective as the New Year approaches? Of course, this is a season of indulgence, but as a health-conscious individual, you must select your meals and drinks with your overall nutritional goal in mind. And I think pure fruit juice is definitely the way to go.”

She also urged individuals to adopt a healthy lifestyle to help reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and heart diseases. She explained that balancing one’s diet with pure fruit juice consumption could reduce the severity in the case of individuals who are suffering from such challenges.

“The available evidence relating to 100 per cent fruit juice consumption indicates modest benefits for blood pressure, while there is also an emerging trend revealing inverse associations between 100 per cent fruit juice consumption and risk of stroke. Overall, this suggests that 100 per cent fruit juice is an appropriate choice of beverage for a heart healthy diet,” she stressed.

She explained that orange juice contains both vitamin C and flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants, and drinking it could neutralise inflammatory stress generated by unhealthy meal and help prevent blood vessel damage.

She said: “One eight-ounce glass of orange juice gives you at least 100 per cent of the recommended daily value for vitamin C, which is an important antioxidant. It can help to neutralise free radicals formed as part of the body’s natural oxidation processes. Consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables is a recognised way to maximise ingestion of vitamins, minerals and beneficial plant nutrients. For one, the different flavours of Chivita 100 per cent juice have become important sources of vitamins and minerals and are readily accessible all year round.

“Also, clinical studies reveal several mechanisms relating to vascular health, inflammation, lipid oxidation and platelet aggregation that could explain a benefit for 100 per cent fruit juices in lowering CVD risk. Polyphenol compounds and potassium in fruit juices are most likely responsible for these effects. In fact, more than a decade’s worth of research suggests that 100 per cent fruit juice can help support a healthy heart. ”

The monthly review is part of Chivita’s ‘no-added sugar’ campaign, which is aimed at demystifying myths about sugar intake and providing verifiable information about the benefits of fruit juice.