NEW ORLEANS, Apr 23, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- 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.
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