Are Pineapple Juice/red Grape Juice Healthy?

[dsvd]

Are pineapple juice/red grape juice healthy (not from concentrate)
Both contain fruit sugar and are processed?
I am looking for a healthy alternative to cola and energy drinks.

[1ozzy]

Water?

[Peaspeculiars]

They can be, but in small amounts as they are high in calories (natural sugar) and can erode your teeth if you use them as a replacement to your main source of fluid intake.
Try watering down the fruit juice to make it less acidic/ calorific otherwise you will get a sugar spike just like you currently do with your energy drinks and your stomach may become upset if you have too much each day.
Water will always be the best option, especially if you are training (?) with your main source of minerals & vitamins coming from your diet.
You could try sugar-free fruit squash if you don't like plain water instead?

[waterboatman]

I can only agree with peas. But I'll add that too much cola is very bad for you. I never touch the stuff! Both the juices you mention are good, but in moderation. Water is by far your best option for frequent use.

[Old_Geezer]

Most points already covered but a couple of things.

Excess sugar, like excess anything, can be detrimental, but sugar, IMO especially not added but as nature provides, ought not be seen as a poison to be avoided. We've evolved to cope with normal amounts.

If water proves boring (better chilled but even then it's hardly something you crave if not dehydrated) then you can get no added sugar squash/cordial you can add to flavour it. Try a few to see if there is a brand you like, and check the label if fussy about what sweetener is used,

[diddlydo]

I can't agree with the sugar-free squash idea - artificial sweeteners are the work of the devil. Water wins every time with me.

[ummmm]

Why (not from concentrate)?

I was watching a Greg Wallis programme the other day and it turn out there is no difference whatsoever between concentrate and non concentrate, except the price.

[pastafreak]

Just because there is no difference between fresh/concentrate,does not mean it's healthy. It is still full of sugar...and sugar is the same whether it is in fruit,or biscuits. People seem to think there is a difference depending on the source of fruit...there is no difference.

[pastafreak]

"source of sugar"

[ummmm]

It's not unhealthy though, in moderation. The benefits outweigh the negatives if we're talking just a glass a day.

[pastafreak]

You're better off eating a piece of fruit,as opposed to a glass of juice. The juice will equal several or more pieces of fruit,and will not contain the fiber,etc.

[ummmm]

Maybe so but people are still going to drink juice. Juice isn't bad for you, especially compared to cola and energy drinks.

[woofgang]

dsvd, its easy to check the sugar per 100 ml in drinks, just read the info on the pack. Sugar is sugar and less sugar per 100ml is better than more sugar.
I can't deal with artificial sweeteners either and wouldn't advise them. There is research to show that, while they have no calories, the sweet taste can fool the body with unwanted results.
here's one link
http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/artificial-sweeteners-sugar-free-but-at-what-cost-201207165030
google "sweet taste of artificial sweetener fools the body" for quite a few others.
The truly healthy alternatives are unsweetened by any method.

[woofgang]

but coke isn't unhealthy in moderation either.

[ummmm]

I don't really buy into the 'this, that and the other' is bad for you.

The difference with fruit juice and coke is coke doesn't really have any nutritional value and energy drinks are loaded with caffeine.

[Dizmo]

Personally, when I'm not drinking sugary drinks like coca cola or rola cola, I drink pomegranate juice (pomegreat brand name). It doesn't contain any added sugars, only natural ones.

[ummmm]

I drink milkshake. Strawberry Crusher. Only half a pint though. It satisfies my sweet tooth and gives me a bit of goodness :-)

[Old_Geezer]

I think folk can get too hung up on artificial sweeteners. It's not like there are masses of folk keeling over because of them. Water is fine, but if a flavouring makes it more palatable and encourages you to take on enough fluid, then I don't see there's an issue. Better than running on 'dry'.