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Juice Plus is a branded line of dietary supplements containing fruit or vegetable juice powders fortified with added vitamins and nutrients. Juice Plus is manufactured by Natural Alternatives International (NAI; San Marcos, CA) and is distributed by National Safety Associates (NSA; Collierville, TN) through direct or multi-level marketing. Several Juice Plus products are marketed including Orchard Blend and Garden Blend capsules (NSA's flagship product), Vineyard Blend capsules, chewable and gummy supplements for children, and a version for dogs and cats.

Product contents

Orchard Blend/Garden Blend

The Juice Plus Garden Blend U.S. bottle label contains the following information. The recommended daily serving size is 2 capsules (750 mg each), which contain the following nutrients (as percentages of the Reference Daily Intake): vitamin A (as beta-carotene) 140%, calcium 4%, vitamin E 80%, vitamin C 70%, iron 2%, and folate 70%. A 2-capsule serving contains no fat or cholesterol, 10 mg sodium, 1 g carbohydrate, and less than 1 g each of dietary fiber and protein. The ingredients listed in descending order of amount (exact amounts not listed) are: vegetable juice powder and pulp from carrots, parsley, beets, kale, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, and tomato; gelatin, lipase, amylase, protease, cellulase, beet fiber, barley bran, oat bran, cabbage fiber, glucomannan, plant cellulose, dried plant fiber, Lactobacillus acidophilus, vegetable-derived magnesium stearate, anthocyanins, allicin, lycopene, polyphenol catechins, Dunaliella salina (algae), and indole carbinols.

The Juice Plus Orchard Blend U.S. bottle label contains the following information. The recommended daily serving size is 2 capsules (750 mg each), which contain the following nutrients (as percentages of the Reference Daily Intake): vitamin A (as beta-carotene) 110%, calcium 2%, vitamin E 70%, vitamin C 320%, iron 2%, and folate 35%. A 2-capsule serving contains no fat or cholesterol, 5 mg sodium, 1 g carbohydrate (less than 1 g each of dietary fiber and sugars), and less than 1 g protein. The ingredients listed in descending order of amount (exact amounts not listed) are: fruit juice powder and pulp from apple, orange, pineapple, cranberry, peach, acerola cherry, and papaya; gelatin, bromelain, papain, lipase, amylase, protease, and cellulase; apple pectin, citrus pectin, date fiber, prune powder, glucomannan, citrus bioflavenoids, dried plant fiber, Lactobacillus acidophilus, vegetable-derived magnesium stearate, anthocyanins, polyphenol catechins, Dunaliella salina (algae), and indole carbinols.

Orchard Blend and Garden Blend are sold only in 4-month supplies of 8 bottles (4 of each). Two capsules per day of each of these products (4 capsules in total) constitute the usual daily regimen. Juice Plus products do not contain certified organic ingredients. In accordance with the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, Juice Plus is not intended to prevent, treat, cure, or mitigate any disease.

Several nutrients, including folate, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E, are added to the product’s refined plant powders to compensate for nutrient loss during processing. Allicin and other undisclosed phytochemicals are also added. Other additives listed on European bottle labels include thickening and anticaking agents (excipients), calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, niacin, vitamin B6, coenzyme Q10, vitamin B1, and vitamin B2.

According to label claims, the suggested daily 4-capsule Juice Plus regimen provides (in % Reference Daily Intake with corresponding amounts in parentheses): folate 105% (420 µg), vitamin C 390% (234 mg), vitamin E 150% (45 IU), beta-carotene 250% (7.5 mg), calcium 6% (61 mg), and iron 4% (0.72 mg). Reports of chemical analyses of Juice Plus have indicated nutrient amounts that differ considerably from the manufacturer-claimed amounts. The weight of individual Juice Plus capsules has been variably reported as 1 g, 850 mg, and 750 mg (current U.S. bottle label), and according to National Safety Associates, the product’s composition has undergone changes since it was first introduced.

Juice Plus Orchard Blend capsules contain 24.1% concentrated fruit juice powder by weight, and Garden Blend capsules contain 26.3% vegetable juice powder, as listed on UK/Switzerland bottle labels. Based on an in vitro test of antioxidant activity, 1 g of Juice Plus Garden Blend/Orchard Blend powder was shown to have the corresponding antioxidant capacity to approximately 10 g (fresh weight) of fruit or vegetable, amounting to 30 g (roughly one-third of a serving) per 4 capsules.

Gummies

Juice Plus gummies consist of 85% corn syrup and 10% beef gelatin. Chemical analysis has shown the following nutrient amounts based on the recommended daily regimen of 6 gummies (approximate percentage of the adult Reference Daily Intake in parentheses): vitamin C 107.1 mg (179%); vitamin E 82.6 IU (275%); vitamin A 14.8 mg (494%); thiamin 1.39 mg (93%); riboflavin 0.05 mg (3%); niacin 2.51 mg (13%); pyridoxine 0.64 mg (32%); zinc 0.62 mg (4%); magnesium 13.65 mg (3%), calcium 94.5 mg (9%); potassium 58.4 mg (2%); and copper 0.32 mg (16%).

Vineyard Blend

The Juice Plus Vineyard Blend U.S. bottle label contains the following information. The daily serving size is 2 capules (1.5 g), which contain the following nutrients (as percentages of the Reference Daily Intake): vitamin A 0%, calcium 2%, vitamin E 210%, vitamin C 75%, iron 0%, folate 90%. A 2-capsule serving contains no fat and 5 calories. The ingredients listed in descending order of amount (exact amounts not listed) are: fruit juice powder & pulp from Concord grape, blueberry, cranberry, blackberry, bilberry, raspberry, red currant, black currant, elderberry, green tea, ginger root, grape seed and artichoke, L-arginine, L-carnitine, vegetable-derived capsule (pullulan), silicone dioxide, vegetable-derived magnesium stearate, natural enzyme blend, coenzyme Q10.

Product research

Several studies of Juice Plus in human subjects have been published in peer-reviewed journals. The majority of the studies were funded and authored by National Alternatives International, some were funded by National Safety Associates, others by Juice Plus distributors, and 2 studies were conducted independently. The products examined in all of the studies were Garden Blend and Orchard Blend (2 capsules of each taken daily in most of the studies), with the exception of one study on Vineyard Blend taken in combination with Garden and Orchard Blend, and one study on Juice Plus Gummies.

Studies on the uptake of nutrients in the blood of subjects taking Juice Plus have shown high absorption of folate and beta-carotene but inconsistent absorption of vitamin E and vitamin C. Several studies have shown that Juice Plus does not raise the blood levels of other key phytonutrients that are abundant in fresh fruits and vegetables, such as lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-cryptoxanthin.

Three initial studies, which were not blinded or placebo-controlled, showed that Juice Plus capsules significantly reduced parameters of oxidative stress; however, subsequent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies found no significant reductions in oxidative stress in subjects talking Juice Plus, and other recent trials showed mixed effects overall. The specific oxidation of DNA in subjects taking Juice Plus has been examined in 4 studies. An initial non-controlled, non-randomized study published in 1999 reported a 67% decrease in DNA oxidation; however, this finding was contradicted by 3 subsequent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, all of which showed that Juice Plus had no significant effect on DNA oxidation.

Several studies have examined the effects of Juice Plus on biochemical parameters associated with cardiovascular function. A non-controlled study reported a 37% decrease in homocysteine levels, while other studies, including two that were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, showed that homocysteine levels were not reduced or were reduced only marginally (7%). Two randomized, double-blind placebo controlled studies have examined the effect of Juice Plus on serum cholesterol and LDL levels. One study reported that Juice Plus had no significant effects while the other reported slight decreases in cholesterol (6%) and LDL (9%) in subjects that took Orchard/Garden Blend, but no reductions among subjects who took Juice Plus Vineyard blend in addition. Juice Plus has been shown to have no effect on blood pressure in healthy subjects.

Potential adverse effects of Juice Plus products have not been rigorously examined in any published studies to date. The investigators in a study on Garden/Orchard Blend in elderly subjects noted anecdotally that it was generally well tolerated, although 2 out of 55 subjects discontinued treatment prematurely and withdrew from the study due to the development of a hive-like rash. Another study reported adverse effects (upper-respiratory tract, urinary, and musculoskeletal) in 5 of 16 subjects who took Juice Plus for 7 days. These events resolved spontaneously and were deemed by the investigators to be unrelated to treatment. Other adverse effects reported anecdotally include gastrointestinal cramps, fever, nausea, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation.

A placebo-controlled study conducted in 2002 showed that Juice Plus Gummie candies did not significantly improve the antioxidant status of children, as indicated by negative results from 6 different antioxidant tests. The authors suggested that the supplement did not contain enough of the proper antioxidants to make a significant difference or that the antioxidants extracted in the fruit/vegetable extract were not bioavailable.

The Juice Plus Children's Research Foundation, founded in 1997, is a non-profit organization whose stated goal is to initiate and/or support programs that advance the principle that improved nutrition leads to healthier lifestyle and overall better health in children. The foundation is chaired by executives of National Safety Associates and operates from the company's head office in Memphis, TN. No research has yet been published by the foundation although they have conducted a survey which showed a general improvement in diet and lifestyle habits. The scientific value of the survey, however, has been questioned, and it has been claimed that the foundation is used mainly as a gimmick to get families to buy Juice Plus products.

Criticism and controversy

Serious doubts about the benefits of Juice Plus have been based in part on claims that the product’s marketing is not well supported by the research data, that it contains too little fruit and vegetable powder to offer significant clinical benefits, that its effects can be attributed to the inclusion of added exogenous vitamins and micronutrients, and that it is excessively priced relative to its potential benefits.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). Consumer complaints regarding Juice Plus were received by the Better Business Bureau's National Advertising Division, which said in April 2005 that National Safety Associates advertising featuring Dr. William Sears misleadingly implied that Juice Plus Gummies are low in sugar and are a nutritional alternative to fruits and vegetables. NSA had promised to modify its ads and stop calling Gummies “the next best thing to fruits and vegetables”. The product homepage features the claim that Juice Plus is “the next best thing to fruits and vegetables”, although not specifically in reference to the Gummies form of the product.

References

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• Dietary supplements