| Revision as of 15:39, 16 April 2006 view sourceRhode Island Red (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users14,311 edits Edits to introduction; added product label section← Previous edit | Revision as of 16:07, 16 April 2006 view source Rhode Island Red (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users14,311 edits Moved Research ahead of CriticismNext edit → | ||
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| == Product Labeling == | == Product Labeling == | ||
| The Juice Plus Garden Blend bottle label contains the following information. The recommend daily serving size is 2 capsules (750 g each), which contain the following nutrients (as percentages of the U.S. recommended daily allowance: 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 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, glucomanna, plant cellulose, dried plant fiber, Lactobacillus acidophillus, vegetable-derived magnesium stearate, anthrocyanins, allicin, lycopene, poyphenol catechins, Dunaliella salina (algae), and indole carbinols. | The Juice Plus Garden Blend bottle label contains the following information. The recommend daily serving size is 2 capsules (750 g each), which contain the following nutrients (as percentages of the U.S. recommended daily allowance: 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 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, glucomanna, plant cellulose, dried plant fiber, Lactobacillus acidophillus, vegetable-derived magnesium stearate, anthrocyanins, allicin, lycopene, poyphenol catechins, Dunaliella salina (algae), and indole carbinols. | ||
| ⚫ | == Research == | ||
| ⚫ | Eight studies on Juice Plus+® have been published in peer-reviewed journals, the majority of which were paid for and/or co-written by the manufacturer. Only 3 of these studies were randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled. Overall, the 8 studies showed weak, conflicting, and often negative results as to (a) the content and absorption of several key nutrients and antioxidants allegedly contained in Juice Plus+®, (b) its antioxidant effects and (c) its effects on homocysteine, LDL, and cholesterol levels. Other studies are in progress but have not been published. To date, the only products that have been researched are Garden Blend and Orchard Blend (2 capsules of each taken daily in all but one study), and Vineyard Blend (taken in combination with Garden and Orchard Blend in one study). | ||
| == Criticisms == | == Criticisms == | ||
| While NSA maintains that a number of scientific studies establish scientific consensus for the efficacy of Juice Plus, a number of criticisms of Juice Plus exist from the scientific community. The most common criticism of the research performed is that the scientific research often claimed by the distributor does not establish a sufficiently strong causal connection for the stated benefits. Other critics focus on the economics which note that the pills are much more expensive than simply purchasing a sufficient amount of fruits and vegetables. Most noted, critics claim that research does not establish that the essence of fruits and vegetables can be condensed into pill form. Also, critics claim that much of the scientific basis for Juice Plus+® is argued solely per an ''ad verecundiam'' argument, which is a logical fallacy which states that since an authority or Journal has done a study involving Juice Plus+®, then all marketing claims must be true. | While NSA maintains that a number of scientific studies establish scientific consensus for the efficacy of Juice Plus, a number of criticisms of Juice Plus exist from the scientific community. The most common criticism of the research performed is that the scientific research often claimed by the distributor does not establish a sufficiently strong causal connection for the stated benefits. Other critics focus on the economics which note that the pills are much more expensive than simply purchasing a sufficient amount of fruits and vegetables. Most noted, critics claim that research does not establish that the essence of fruits and vegetables can be condensed into pill form. Also, critics claim that much of the scientific basis for Juice Plus+® is argued solely per an ''ad verecundiam'' argument, which is a logical fallacy which states that since an authority or Journal has done a study involving Juice Plus+®, then all marketing claims must be true. | ||
| ⚫ | == Research == | ||
| ⚫ | Eight studies on Juice Plus+® have been published in peer-reviewed journals, the majority of which were paid for and/or co-written by the manufacturer. Only 3 of these studies were randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled. Overall, the 8 studies showed weak, conflicting, and often negative results as to (a) the content and absorption of several key nutrients and antioxidants allegedly contained in Juice Plus+®, (b) its antioxidant effects and (c) its effects on homocysteine, LDL, and cholesterol levels. Other studies are in progress but have not been published. To date, the only products that have been researched are Garden Blend and Orchard Blend (2 capsules of each taken daily in all but one study), and Vineyard Blend (taken in combination with Garden and Orchard Blend in one study). | ||
| == External links == | == External links == | ||
Revision as of 16:07, 16 April 2006
Juice Plus is an encapsulated nutritional supplement containing powdered extracts derived from fruit or vegetable juices in combination with added nutrients. Juice Plus is manufactured by (Natural Alternatives International (NAI; San Remo, CA) and is distributed by National Safety Associates (NSA; Collierville, TN) only through direct or multi-level marketing. Several versions of the product are marketed, including Orchard Blend (a blend of powdered fruit juice extracts); Garden Blend (a blend of powdered vegetable juice extracts); a gummy candy supplement for children and a supplement for dogs and cats.
Product Labeling
The Juice Plus Garden Blend bottle label contains the following information. The recommend daily serving size is 2 capsules (750 g each), which contain the following nutrients (as percentages of the U.S. recommended daily allowance: 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 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, glucomanna, plant cellulose, dried plant fiber, Lactobacillus acidophillus, vegetable-derived magnesium stearate, anthrocyanins, allicin, lycopene, poyphenol catechins, Dunaliella salina (algae), and indole carbinols.
Research
Eight studies on Juice Plus+® have been published in peer-reviewed journals, the majority of which were paid for and/or co-written by the manufacturer. Only 3 of these studies were randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled. Overall, the 8 studies showed weak, conflicting, and often negative results as to (a) the content and absorption of several key nutrients and antioxidants allegedly contained in Juice Plus+®, (b) its antioxidant effects and (c) its effects on homocysteine, LDL, and cholesterol levels. Other studies are in progress but have not been published. To date, the only products that have been researched are Garden Blend and Orchard Blend (2 capsules of each taken daily in all but one study), and Vineyard Blend (taken in combination with Garden and Orchard Blend in one study).
Criticisms
While NSA maintains that a number of scientific studies establish scientific consensus for the efficacy of Juice Plus, a number of criticisms of Juice Plus exist from the scientific community. The most common criticism of the research performed is that the scientific research often claimed by the distributor does not establish a sufficiently strong causal connection for the stated benefits. Other critics focus on the economics which note that the pills are much more expensive than simply purchasing a sufficient amount of fruits and vegetables. Most noted, critics claim that research does not establish that the essence of fruits and vegetables can be condensed into pill form. Also, critics claim that much of the scientific basis for Juice Plus+® is argued solely per an ad verecundiam argument, which is a logical fallacy which states that since an authority or Journal has done a study involving Juice Plus+®, then all marketing claims must be true.
External links
- Juice Plus home page (which provides research abstracts and the company's interpretation of the findings)
- Biography of Dr. Stephen Barrett (advocacy and criticism)
- A critique of Juice Plus+® from the Kansas State University Dept of Human Nutrition, (prepared by Fudeko T. Maruyama and adapted by Mary A. Clarke).
- A critique of Juice Plus+® from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
- "Juiced Up and Dried Out" - A critique by the University of California Berkeley
- Fruit and vegetable concentrate or vitamin supplement? J. Nutr. 2003;133:3725. A critique of Juice Plus research by Dr. Bernhard Watzl and Dr. Achim Bub of the Federal Research Centre for Nutrition, Karlsruhe, Germany.