JUICE PLUS REVIEW BY A DIETITIAN

You’ve probably heard of Juice Plus vitamins, a multilevel marketing (or “network marketing”) business. If so, you’ve probably wondered if this product actually works, or if it’s worth the money.

What does a registered dietitian have to say?! Are Juice Plus supplements a scam? Are their claims true? Read on to find out!

WHAT IS JUICE PLUS?

The Juice Plus slogan is: “The next best thing to fruits and vegetables.”

It’s true that North Americans don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables. And the most commonly consumed vegetable is potatoes. Not that there’s anything wrong with potatoes, but french fries don’t quite compare in nutrition to kale, berries or oranges.

Juice Plus contains dried ingredient powders from 30 fruits, veggies and berries (capsules or chews) in Garden Blend, Orchard Blend and Vineyard Blend. To “bridge the gap,” they say.

Here is my take on the benefits and risks of Juice Plus.

PROS OF JUICE PLUS:

1) One major advantage of Juice Plus is that it is just fruits and veggies, with no isolated vitamins and minerals. The phytochemicals in foods work together and you can’t add them all to a traditional vitamin and mineral supplement. Because of this, I like the idea of a ‘whole food’ supplement.

2) Juice Plus also has an impressive amount of quality research studies to support that the antioxidants are absorbed, reduce oxidative stress, helps cardiovascular health and supports healthy skin and gums.

I did hear research was underway on its benefits in pregnancy, but can’t seem to find any results. Which might just mean that they weren’t favourable. If you know of something different, please comment below!

3) It’s not a substitute for eating fruits or veggies, nor does it claim to be. But Juice Plus could provide worried parents with a bit of comfort for a child that does not like fresh fruits or veggies (ok – it’s almost always vegetables!).

It doesn’t get you out of the parental responsibility of continuing to offer your child vegetables. But your child chooses not to eat them, at least you can be confident they are getting a bit of vegetable powder in Juice Plus.

A kid’s multivitamin containing iron might be more beneficial depending on your child’s diet, but have a dietitian review it to make sure if you are concerned.

CONS OF JUICE PLUS:

1) Unlike a more comprehensive multivitamin, you may need to take additional essential nutrients as supplements. Such as iron, Omega 3, vitamin D and folic acid, depending on your diet, life stage and health concerns.

2) You have to order in 4-month increments. And both the Orchard and Garden Blends. You can’t just order the veggie (Garden) blend if you think you or your child eats plenty of fruit, but not enough veggies. They get automatically shipped unless you cancel, I suggest you put a calendar alarm to remind you about the shipments.

3) The kid’s gummy chews are sugary. I worry that although Juice Plus claims to strengthen gums and teeth, that the sugar and stickiness of the chews will override this and lead to cavities! If you offer your child gummy multivitamins, make sure to serve them with a meal or snack which will help.

4) If you’re buying this for your children – that’s ok. But I would suggest working on the picky eating situation you’re struggling with. So that they learn to eat real vegetables and not just supplements. Click here to see the Juice Plus+ Children get free products in Health Start for Families Program.

MY OWN JUICE PLUS TRIAL:

While there are lots of testimonials about feeling more energy, sleeping better, having healthier teeth and gums…..I definitely noticed an increase in energy and better sleep habits, was it a “placebo” effect? Maybe, but I am still a Juice Plus customer and it still is going great!

In addition, I also have a fairly healthy diet to start with. And I was not measuring my blood antioxidant levels or DNA anti-oxidant repair.

I take 2 Garden and 2 Orchard Blend capsules per day, as directed. I found the capsules a bit large and sometimes got stuck in my throat. I suppose this just encourages drinking more water with them! Or you can break them up and put the powder in a smoothie or yogurt or oatmeal.

Give Juice Plus+ a try! If you want to give Juice Plus a try, check it out here.