Got a question about fruit juice? Ask it of a leading expert – you could win £150! ANSWERS BACK

[AnnMumsnet]

Sue Gatenby from Tropicana is here to answer any questions you may have about enjoying fruit juice and its nutritional benefits, for both you and your children. Sue has 25 years of industry experience and is here to share her top tips and advice.

The team at Tropicana say, "We've just launched a new campaign to talk about the health benefits a small glass of juice can bring. There’s been lots of confusion about juice, and we’re here to help clear the air and explain how 100% pure fruit juice can play an important role in a healthy and balanced diet."

Maybe you have a question about the nutritional benefits of juice, getting your 5 a day, how much you should drink, or anything else to do with juice? If so, ask away!.

Here's a little bit more about Sue:

Sue Gatenby is the Senior Director, Nutrition with responsibility for nutrition strategy at Tropicana. Sue has over 25 years’ experience in nutrition research, education and in the food industry. She has a BSc and PhD in Nutrition and Postgraduate Diplomas in Dietetics and Sports Nutrition. Prior to joining PepsiCo Sue held positions at the John Radcliffe Hospital, the Universities of London & Surrey and Institute of Food Research (IFR). During her time at the IFR she consulted for the Department of Health in the research and development of the <a class="break-all" href="//mailto:www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/eatwell-plate.aspx" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">Eatwell Plate. She is also a Governor of the British Nutrition Foundation.
Post your questions to Sue by 21 March and we will pick 20 for her to respond to. Everyone who posts a question will be entered into a prize draw where one lucky Mumsnetter will win a £150 John Lewis voucher. A link to her responses will be posted on this thread by Mid April.

This Q&A is sponsored by Tropicana.

Thanks,
MNHQ.

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[caker]

The enamel on my teeth is eroded because of fruit juice. I rarely drink it now but if I do, I use half juice half water to reduce the impact. I haven't given juice to my nearly 3yo yet because of my problems, but she is starting to realise there are more drinks available than milk or water! How can I minimise risks to her teeth from juice?

[asuwere]

I often dilute pure juice with water(for taste) does this actually make it better for teeth?

[Givemecoffeeplease]

What would you say to claims that juice without the fibre isn't as healthy as consuming the whole fruit via a smoothie?

And is juice with "bits" in any better for you?

[sharond101]

Do I have to worry about the sugar in fruit juice?

[MsMommie]

Why can't we have 5 fruits or vegetables juiced as our '5aDay'?
I've seen juices and smoothies with at least 5 whole fruits/vegetables but they only class as one or two servings? Very confusing

[JellyBabiesSaveLives]

Some time ago you used to be able to get small (lunchbox) size cartons of 50/50 juice and water, which were great for kids - still sweet, 100ml of juice and 10g sugar which is plenty, but 200ml drink. Now you can only get that kind of thing with extra flavouring and sugar added (which tastes rank and defeats the purpose).

Any chance Tropicana would do something like that? I have a child with type 1 diabetes and he loves a carton of juice but 20g carbs in one drink is a lot.

[CopperPan]

We like to drink juice here but don't have much fridge space. Is the long life juice as good as the freshly squeezed refrigerated juice, in terms of nutrients? I prefer the taste of freshly squeezed juice but we only do a big shop once a week and it ends up taking over our fridge.

[NorbertDentressangle]

A few times I've bought what I've thought is fruit juice but then noticed its actually "Fruit Juice Drink".

What % of fruit juice do they contain (is there a minimum/maximum amount) and how do they compare nutritionally to fruit juice?

[TooMuchOfEverything]

Where do you stand on the big question:

concentrate v not from concentrate?

My friend is very snobby particular about whether OJ is from concentrate or not. She won't drink anything made from concentrate. I always thought from concentrate is better environmentally. If the water is extracted in the grower country, and then the juiciness is transported, and then water added in the destination country surely that means less fuel has been used?

[00100001]

Considering the high sugar content, and concerns over teeth. As evidence by NHS Guidelines, that say children should limit pure fruit juice to 150ml a day and to be consumed with meals.
Should fruit juice companies be allowed to promote fruit juices as a 'Healthy Drink/Option'? And should this promoting be aimed towards children?

[purplepandas]

Are any particular fruit juices 'better' (or perhaps not as bad) for teeth than others?

[FeelingSmurfy]

Is there any way to reduce the attack on teeth, already have with meals and use a straw but is there anything I'm missing

Are any better for you than others (e.g apple v orange) in terms of sugar amount, vitamins, fibre etc

[Gazelda]

Canfruit juice in cartons be frozen? I often see multi-buy offers, but can't get through that much fruit juice before the 'best before' date. Would be handy if I could freeze them.

[forkhandles4candles]

Is vegetable juice less eroding of tooth enamel than fruit juice...and which is the least eroding fruit juice...? I really worry about it's effects on my children's teeth.

[pepperrabbit]

DH has stopped drinking juice as he considers it too sugary to be good for him, the rest of us drink juice quite happily - generally just with breakfast.
I'd like to know if he's wrong what the maximum beneficial amount would be to drink for an adult and a child. (I'd usually have, say, a highball/tall glass, the kids a smaller one). Thanks

[00100001]

NHS say 150ml a day for children with meals.

[StillNoFuckingEyeDeer]

When I was a child we used to buy frozen orange juice concentrate. I haven't seen anything like it for years. Would Tropicana consider making something similar? Would it work with other fruits, eg apple?

[KolaKoola]

Do concentrated and fresh juice have the same nutritional content? A glass of either is '1 of your 5 a day'.

[clopper]

Is it true that certain juices are linked to 'cures' or helpful in a specific medical sense rather than just general vitamin c content? I'm thinking about cystitis and cranberry juice but I'm sure I read something in the past about pomegranate juice as well, maybe to do with the heart or blood pressure?. Also are you supposed to have some food containing iron with juice to allow the vitamin c to absorb properly? I feel that I may have learnt this at school many years ago, but I'm not sure that my memory is that reliable.

[TattieHowkerz]

I keep seeing things about how fruit juice is "loaded with sugar". Surely there is a difference between naturally occurring sugars in fruit juice and refined sugar in fizzy drinks?

[WowOoo]

It's been asked upthread, but I'd like to know if some fruit juices are better than others in terms of vitamin content - I always try to have a bit of extra orange juice if I feel a cold coming on. Am i right that it has the most Vitamin c?

[Jesabel]

I never buy juice as I understood it was bad for you and particularly bad for children - especially compared to water, milk or squash. My children are 5 and 2 and the oldest has weak enamel on his back teeth. Am I wrong about juice?

[Thecatknowsshesboss]

DD has always drunk fruit juice through a straw as I read that this reduces the impact of the sugar on the teeth - is this correct?

[Lariflete]

How is that I am allergic to raw apple but can drink it as freshly squeezed juice?

[Theimpossiblegirl]

I read somewhere that cranberry juice is particularly good for women. What health benefits do different fruit juices have?