Is fruit juice as miraculous as we think?

To answer the question of whether fruit juice is good for the digestive system, we need to determine what substances it contains.

In addition to the peel and seeds, oranges and tangerines provide water, fructose, vitamins B and C, iron, and protein. Some fruits, such as avocados and durians, also contain fat.

When we drink juice, we consume the water and the characteristic flavor of the fruit, fructose, and some vitamins, but we don't get the starches, fats, fiber, and proteins found in the pulp and flesh of the fruit.

Regular fruit juices don't make or break the digestive system. Of course, drinking juice is easier for the digestive system to handle than chewing whole fruits. But I believe that hard work is better. Furthermore, some people with digestive problems may find fruit juice "slightly" harmful, even if it doesn't worsen their digestive system. For example, drinking fruit juices with high concentrations of vitamin C can irritate the stomach, causing discomfort and pain, especially for those with reflux or stomach ulcers.

People with acid reflux or stomach ulcers may experience irritation from drinking orange juice. (Image: Healthline)

Many people ask me what time of day is best to eat fruit or drink fruit juice? As I mentioned above, fruit or fruit juice is also food; besides water, it also contains sugar, protein, fat, vitamins, etc. Our bodies will "sort" the pathways of the nutrients from the food we consume.

Therefore, there's no reason to stipulate that meat should be eaten at the main mealtime, followed by fruit juice. Meat, fish, rice, soup, and fruit all contain sufficient nutrients; the difference lies in the proportions of each dish. Therefore, theoretically, we should combine them to suit our taste. It's impossible to enjoy sour soup and then immediately drink lemon juice – that would be unappetizing.

I support choosing fruits and juices as desserts or to consume during meals, as the body will naturally process and metabolize them. Besides main meals, when thirsty, we can simply cut up fruit or drink the juice.juiceThat's fine, there's no obligation to eat at any particular time.

Many people wonder how long fruit juice can be stored in the refrigerator after processing and juicing to preserve vitamins and ensure safety.

In my opinion, the length of time a juice is refrigerated isn't about how many days, but rather the risk of bacterial contamination. Water-soluble vitamins are easily damaged when heated, but are less likely to spoil when refrigerated. However, some vitamins, like vitamin C, can precipitate, making them difficult for the drinker to absorb.

Refrigerating fruit juice helps prevent spoilage. Under normal weather conditions, fruit retains its nutrients, but once cut, especially high-carbohydrate and sweet fruits, bacteria and fungi ferment rapidly, causing spoilage. Therefore, placing cut fruit or juice in a cold environment helps reduce fermentation and spoilage, but it doesn't significantly preserve vitamins.

Many people idolize fruit juice. I assert that fruit juice is different from whole fruit, because juice is simply water, fructose, and some water-soluble vitamins depending on the type. This sugar requires vitamins B and C to metabolize, and these vitamins are scarce in juice. Therefore, if you only drink juice, your body still needs to draw on vitamin B and C reserves for metabolism.

Fruits and vegetables are rich in fiber, which is very good for the digestive system, helping to prevent constipation, improve gut health, promote beneficial bacteria, and reduce the risk of fatty liver disease, high cholesterol, and colon cancer. Fruit juices don't contain as much fiber as eating whole oranges, guavas, tangerines, mangoes, etc. If you find eating whole fruits difficult, you should blend them into smoothies to take full advantage of the nutrients.