Frequency of 100% Fruit Juice Consumption by Canadians Is Associated with Higher Micronutrient Intake and Improved Nutrient Adequacy

Abstract

Consumption of 100% fruit juice (FJ) has been related to better diet quality; however, studies in Canadians are limited. This study determined and compared usual intake and adequacy of intake of FJ micronutrients as well as energy, dietary fiber, and total sugars among Canadians categorized by frequency of FJ consumption. Data were examined from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) 2.2 which includes a general health questionnaire and a 24‐hour dietary recall. Mean usual intakes (derived using the Software for Intake Distribution Estimation (PC‐SIDE) program) of energy and energy‐adjusted vitamins A, C and D, calcium, magnesium, potassium, dietary fiber and total sugars were determined for age‐sex groups (1–3 y; 4–8 y; 9–13 y; 14–18 y; 19–50 y; ≥51 y; and subgroups of adults to align with Estimated Average Requirements (EARs)) and compared among FJ consumption categories. Prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake was determined using the EAR cut‐point method and compared among FJ consumption categories. A sample of 34,351 individuals was analyzed and categorized by frequency of daily FJ consumption as <0.5 (n=13,832), ≥0.5 to <1.5 (n=13,485) or ≥1.5 (n=7,034) times/d. Frequency of FJ consumption varied among age‐sex groups, with approximately 80% of young children (1–3 and 4–8 y) and 50% of adults consuming FJ ≥0.5 times/d. More frequent consumers of FJ also had higher intakes of fruit other than FJ and were more likely to consume ≥5 servings of total fruits and vegetables per day. Although energy intakes were higher among the most frequent (≥1.5 times/d) compared to the least frequent (<0.5 times/d) consumers of FJ for most age‐sex groups, energy‐adjusted micronutrient intakes were higher with increased frequency of FJ consumption for vitamin C and potassium within most age‐sex groups; vitamins A and D among men 19–50 y; calcium among men 19–50 and ≥71 y and women ≥51 y; and magnesium among children 1–3 y, boys 14–18 y, adult men, and women ≥51 y. Fiber intake adjusted for energy was also higher with increased frequency of FJ consumption among children 1–3 y, boys 9–13 and 14–18 y, girls 14–18 y, and adult men, and total sugar intakes were higher with increased frequency of FJ consumption in many though not all age‐sex groups. Prevalence of inadequate micronutrient intake was lower with more frequent FJ consumption for vitamin C among boys 9–13 and 14–18 y and all adults; vitamin A among men 19–50 y and women ≥51 y; calcium among men 19–50 y and ≥71 y; and magnesium among girls 9–13 y, boys 14–18 y, adult men, and women ≥51 y. Among boys 9–13 y, prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy was lowest among boys consuming juice <1.5 times/d. Results from this study show that across several age‐sex groups, higher FJ consumption is associated with consumption of more fruits and vegetables and higher usual energy‐adjusted intakes of vitamin C, potassium, calcium, magnesium and fiber, all of which are nutrients that may be under‐consumed. These higher nutrient intakes were accompanied by improved nutrient adequacy for micronutrients including vitamins A and C, calcium and magnesium.Support or Funding InformationSupported by PepsiCo Global R&D