Suja juice products have become increasingly popular in recent years as consumers look for healthier beverage options. The San Diego-based company offers a wide range of cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and probiotic drinks that are touted as being organic, non-GMO, and free of preservatives. But just how healthy are Suja’s products? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients, nutrition facts, and potential pros and cons.
Ingredients in Suja Juices
Suja uses a cold-press process to extract juice from fresh fruits and vegetables without exposing them to high heat. This helps preserve more nutrients compared to traditional juicing methods. Their juices feature trendy superfood ingredients like turmeric, ginger, activated charcoal, ashwagandha, reishi mushrooms, and probiotics.
However, Suja juices also contain fruit juices high in natural sugar like apple, pear, and lemon. They also include natural sweeteners like erythritol, stevia, and glycerin. Here are some of the most common ingredients found in Suja juices:
| Fruits | Apples, pineapples, oranges, lemons, bananas |
|---|---|
| Vegetables | Celery, cucumbers, kale, spinach, carrots |
| Herbs | Ginger, turmeric, peppermint, basil, cilantro |
| Sweeteners | Erythritol, stevia, coconut sugar, glycerin |
| Add-ins | Activated charcoal, ashwagandha, reishi mushrooms, probiotics |
While these juices don’t contain any artificial sweeteners or preservatives, the natural sugars and sweeteners can still add up, especially in the fruit-focused flavors. Each bottle ranges from 60 to 110 calories and 12-18g of sugar.
Nutrition Facts for Suja Juices
Here’s a look at the nutrition facts for some of Suja’s most popular juice flavors:
| Flavor | Serving Size | Calories | Sugar (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Supreme | 12 oz | 70 | 11 | 2 |
| Glow | 12 oz | 100 | 18 | 2 |
| Elements: Watermelon | 12 oz | 110 | 17 | 2 |
| Vanilla Cloud | 12 oz | 260 | 19 | 4 |
As you can see, calories and sugar content varies widely depending on the specific flavor. Fruit- and cream-based smoothies like Vanilla Cloud have 2-3 times as many calories and sugar as juice blends focused on greens like Green Supreme. Protein amounts are low since these juices rely primarily on fruits and veggies rather than protein supplements.
Potential Benefits of Suja Juices
Here are some of the touted benefits of drinking Suja juices:
- High antioxidant content from fruits and vegetables
- Anti-inflammatory compounds from ingredients like turmeric and ginger
- Probiotics and prebiotics for gut health
- No artificial sweeteners or preservatives
- Boost of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients
- Low glycemic index due to low sugar/fiber ratio
- Cold-pressed method may preserve more nutrients
- Creative flavor combinations and use of superfoods
The wide array of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and unique ingredients in Suja juices provide a megadose of nutrients and plant compounds that may support overall wellness. For example, ginger and turmeric contain anti-inflammatory compounds, while probiotics promote healthy gut bacteria.
Potential Downsides of Suja Juices
However, there are some potential downsides to consider with Suja juices:
- High sugar content, mainly from fruit juices
- Low protein and healthy fats
- Lack of fiber since juices are strained
- Natural sweeteners may cause digestive issues for some
- Higher calorie amount than eating whole fruits/veggies
- Low satiety may not keep you full
- Expensive compared to making your own juices
- Contains oxalates that may be problematic for some people
While whole fruits and veggies would provide more balanced nutrition with fiber, the convenience and unique blends make Suja an easier way to get plant-based nutrients on the go. But for some, the high sugar content, low protein/fat, and lack of fiber could make these juices less ideal.
Nutritionists’ Perspectives on Suja Juices
Many nutritionists and dietitians have weighed in with their thoughts on Suja juices and other similar juicing brands. Here’s a summary of their key perspectives:
- A better choice than soda or other sweetened drinks but shouldn’t replace whole foods
- Great occasional treat or for convenience but not as a daily meal replacement
- Watch out for sugar content stacking up, especially if drinking multiple per day
- Lack of protein is a downside for a meal replacement beverage
- Consuming juice spikes blood sugar more than whole fruits and vegetables
- Pros outweigh cons if you struggle to eat enough fruits/veggies otherwise
The consensus seems to be that Suja juices are a good occasional or convenience option to get some extra nutrients from superfoods and produce. But for sustained energy, meal replacement, or daily nutrition, they lack key macros like protein, fat, and fiber.
The Verdict on Suja Juices
Here’s the final take on whether Suja juices and other similar products are healthy:
- Packed with fruits, vegetables, herbs and unique superfood ingredients
- No artificial sweeteners or preservatives is a major plus
- Convenient on-the-go nutrition and interesting flavor combinations
- Lack of protein, fat, and fiber limits them as meal replacement
- High natural sugar content from juice concentrates
- Occasional drink or treat is fine but best not to over-consume
In moderation as an occasional treat or for convenience, Suja juices can provide a quick dose of fruits and vegetables along with trendy superfoods. But for everyday nutrition, you’re better off getting produce from whole foods to obtain fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
Look at the nutrition label and opt for lower calorie, lower sugar varieties like green juices if choosing Suja. And limit consumption to keep added sugars in check. If you want to make your own juices at home, you can control the ingredients and sweetness level more.
Overall, Suja juices are a tasty way to get some extra nutrients from whole food ingredients. But they shouldn’t completely replace a balanced, whole foods diet.
Conclusion
Suja offers a variety of cold-pressed juices and smoothies made from fruits, vegetables, herbs, and trendy superfoods. Their products provide a convenient way to increase your daily intake of produce and plant-based nutrients.
While juices lack the protein, fat, and fiber content of whole foods, Suja products are free of artificial sweeteners and preservatives. When consumed in moderation, they can be a good occasional treat for an infusion of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Focus on lower calorie, lower sugar green juice varieties over fruit-based blends. And aim to get most of your daily nutrition from whole foods for a balanced diet.
Overall, Suja juices can be a delicious way to supplement your fruit and veggie intake if you struggle to get enough produce. But for well-rounded nutrition, make sure to also include lean protein, healthy fats, fiber, and complex carbs from unprocessed whole foods.
