Ever since the late 1940s, Tropicana juice has become a staple breakfast item in many households. The product is popular mainly because of its freshness and many different flavor options. Most people tend to go for this as it is a quick alternative to actual fruits.
The packaging says that it is 100% pure. But it still makes us wonder, is Tropicana juice healthy? Squeezing the juice from fruits is one thing, but a packaged beverage is another matter to consider.
More and more people are becoming health-conscious nowadays. Hence, the authenticity of this brand raises concerns among the public. Let’s look thoroughly into Tropicana’s features to find out if it is fit to consume.
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What Is Tropicana Juice Made of?
The most popular flavor from this line is said to be 100% orange juice with no additives and no sugar. However, for a packaged product, this is unlikely to be completely true. All packaged products contain some amount of preservatives to keep them fresh.
No juice or food product can stay fresh for long periods without additional emulsifiers and artificial flavoring. Studies have shown that Tropicana juice does contain processed ingredients. But this does not necessarily mean that it is unhealthy.
Tropicana juice was tested, and it was found that it has a lot of vitamins and minerals. It is also a great source of Vitamin C, which is very good for the body.
How Healthy Are the Naturally Squeezed Fruit Juices?
The juices of fruits contain most of the minerals and nutrients. On average, the liquids are more nutritious compared to the whole fruit on its own. And since no artificial sweeteners are added, the overall calorie count is low.
Even though the juice contains most of the beneficial elements, the fiber from the fruit is lost. Fiber is necessary for good digestion and bowel movement. Also, you will feel fuller after eating the whole fruit rather than just drinking the juice.
There are a few risks associated with freshly squeezed juice. Bacteria will start to grow on the juice if you leave it out for too long. Also, the natural sugars in the fruit juice can raise blood sugar levels than usual.
We can see that there are both advantages and disadvantages to Tropicana juice and that from freshly squeezed fruits. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of the packaged brand and find out whether it is actually healthy or not.
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Is Tropicana Juice Healthy? It Could Be!
Fruits are a very important component of a person’s diet. The different antioxidants and vitamins present in this food type help prevent many diseases, including cancer and heart problems.
High in Nutrients:
Since Tropicana mainly relies on using natural ingredients to make their juices, you will get all the necessary nutrients in a bottle. Also since it is packaged, it has a longer shelf life than natural fruit juice.
As mentioned earlier, the Tropicana orange juice has a high amount of Vitamin C. This vitamin is beneficial and prevents diseases such as scurvy, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and even cancer.
All the Good Stuff in One Bottle:
The mixed fruit juice from this product line has fruits such as oranges, peaches, pineapples, bananas, strawberries, apricots, and mangoes. All of these contain great amounts of potassium. This element helps muscles to work properly and regulate body fluids. As a bonus, you get a taste of all these different fruits from the same package.
Tropicana has other nutritious components, including Vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids. Both of these majorly contribute to healthy skin and hair.
The Kids Love It Too!
Another great advantage of Tropicana juice is that it is well received by children. Kids usually don’t like to eat their fruits but do enjoy drinks. Through this product, the little ones are getting their needed nutrition while relishing the taste at the same time.
Surveys have shown that children are more inclined to eat breakfast when there is a fruit juice option. Many families buy this beverage, and it has become a very popular item in the morning meal for their kids.
Tropicana Juice Might Not Always Be Healthy!
As much as there are pros of Tropicana juice, there are cons as well. Let’s see what they are:
False Advertising:
While the brand may use pure, natural ingredients, it cannot be denied that the juice is pasteurized and has added sugars. It is impossible for fresh juice to last long without having preservatives in them. So, the label of 100% purely squeezed juice is not completely true.
Added Sugars and Calories:
Natural juice already contains sugar, and this packaged version has additional sweetness included. This means the total amount of calories per serving is doubled. So drinking Tropicana every single day is generally unhealthy.
With artificial sweeteners, the sugar content basically skyrockets. This, in turn, makes body glucose count rise as well. Thus, drinking Tropicana on a regular basis can cause health issues that stem from excess sugar intake.
Loss of Other Nutrients:
Since it is purely liquid, the fibers from fruits are excluded completely. So if you keep consuming this juice as a substitute for whole fruits, your body will not be getting the fiber it needs. This leads to digestive complications, including constipation.
Kids may enjoy the liquid version, but they would not be getting the fiber and other healthy elements their body needs. They could get dependent on this and not want to eat fresh fruit at all. In the end, they will just end up consuming too much sugar and can become obese.
Not Worth the Money:
If you do a cost comparison, the price of a bottle of Tropicana is more compared to the amount of fruit that can be squeezed to make fresh juice. Real fruits can be blended at home, and the end product will be cheaper and will also contain the necessary fiber. The blending process may sound like a hassle, but most people opt for the less costly alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Simply Orange better than Tropicana?
The orange flavor of Tropicana is more authentic, and thus it’s the winner for us over Simply Orange.
Is Tropicana apple juice healthy?
It contains some beneficial nutrients for our body but also includes added sugar. So, I wouldn’t recommend it personally.
Does Tropicana juice increase weight?
The extra calories from the juice can cause you to gain weight.
Conclusion
There is not a definite way to judge the healthiness of this popular beverage. But if your mind still asks, “is Tropicana juice healthy”, the answer will depend on a couple of factors.
Most importantly how often you are consuming it, and whether you are completely substituting it for real fruits.
Let us know in the comments if you have any questions.
