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What Are Fruit Juice Concentrates and Are They Good for You?

Supermarket and grocery shelves are often lined with a variety of fruit juices, and fruit juice concentrates. Which product is better? Well, today, you are going to learn what fruit juice concentrates are, the process, and the potential health benefits they can give you.

Definition of fruit juice concentrate

About 90 per cent of fruit juice is water. When you extract most of the water, you will get fruit juice concentrate, which is thick and syrupy. The product comes in many forms, and each type may offer different amounts of minerals, vitamins, and other essential nutrients.

When you remove the water content of the juice, it reduces the risk of bacterial growth. The process makes the concentrate spoil-resistant much longer than raw fruit juice. Likewise, the process trims down the cost of packaging, storing, and transporting the product.

However, the methods of processing fruit juice concentrate differ. Most products are pasteurised, evaporated, and filtered, but some manufacturers put in additives. As a consumer, you must be aware of this and find fruit juice concentrate suppliers UK that carries trustworthy and high-quality brands.

Remember that you must dilute the concentrate with filtered water before drinking the juice.

Making fruit juice concentrates

Washed whole fruits are crushed and blended to reduce them into a pulp. Afterwards, the pulp undergoes water extraction and evaporation. Some of the natural flavours of the fruits are also diluted or removed in the process. Thus, some manufacturers add artificial compounds to enhance the flavours. These flavour packs are usually fruit by-products.

It is also possible for manufacturers to add high-fructose corn syrup as sweetener, as well as artificial aromas and colours to enhance the appearance of the juice concentrate.

Some products receive treatment to take out harmful microbes so that the products can have a longer shelf life.

Different types of fruit juice concentrate

You’ll find different types of fruit juice concentrate on the market, and their health benefits vary as well.

The healthiest choice is the concentrate made from 100 per cent fruit, which still contains most of the nutrients. Natural fruit sugars sweeten the product, although it may even include some additives.

You may see concentrated beverage, punch, or fruit cocktail on grocery shelves, which are blends of different juices that may include additional sweeteners and flavours. Check the label to see if the concentrate has added sugars, such as high-fructose corn syrup, fructose syrup, or cane sugar, which are not good for you.

Spray and freeze-drying methods remove all the water in the fruit juice, producing powdered juice concentrates. They may have more anti-inflammatory compounds that can help reduce the occurrence of chronic inflammation, although they may have added sugars. Be sure to read the label before buying powdered juice concentrate.

Possible health benefits

The most popular juice concentrates are apple, pineapple, and orange. Juice concentrates are cheaper, and storage is easier. Many of them retain the essential nutrients of fresh fruits. They contain healthy plant compounds, like flavonoids, anthocyanins, and carotenoids, which help fight inflammation and boost heart health. They likewise promote more youthful skin.

See to it that you read the nutrition label before you buy fruit juice concentrates, to get the most health benefits, especially if you do not have regular access to fresh fruits.

Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/orange-juice-cup-tree-1921548/