Suja juice drinks have become increasingly popular in recent years as a convenient way to get more fruits and vegetables into your diet. With their bright packaging and promises of detoxification, weight loss, and wellness, Suja bottles stand out in the crowded beverage aisle. But are these drinks actually as healthy as the companies claim? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients, nutrition, and health effects of Suja juices.
Suja Juice Ingredients
Suja uses a cold-press process to make their juices, which they say helps preserve nutrients compared to traditional high-heat pasteurization. The juices are made from organic, non-GMO ingredients whenever possible, which includes fresh fruits, vegetables, and superfood boosts like turmeric, ginger, and chlorella.
However, Suja juices also contain some filler ingredients like lemon juice and vegetable glycerin to improve the flavor and texture. They also add natural sweeteners like erythritol or stevia to some varieties. So while the produce ingredients may be healthy, the additives should be considered too.
Nutrition Profile of Suja Juices
The specific nutrition in Suja drinks varies based on the individual flavor. But most provide a significant amount of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from the concentrated fruit and vegetable content. For example, the Green Supreme juice contains 2 servings each of fruits and vegetables in just one 12 oz bottle.
However, Suja juices can be quite high in natural sugars. Their Mighty Dozen green juice has 29g total sugars in 12 oz, while the Dragonfruit Love juice has 35g. This is comparable to sodas like Coca Cola. So people with diabetes or weight concerns need to watch their portion sizes.
| Juice Variety | Calories | Total Sugars |
|---|---|---|
| Green Supreme | 110 | 21g |
| Beet Cashew Karma | 270 | 32g |
| Mighty Dozen | 190 | 29g |
Potential Health Benefits
Drinking Suja juices can provide some benefits when enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet. Potential benefits may include:
- Increased fruit/vegetable intake – Each bottle contains concentrated produce that can help you meet daily recommendations.
- Vitamins & minerals – Varieties like Green Supreme supply vitamin C, A, and magnesium.
- Antioxidants – From berries, tomatoes, and greens that may reduce inflammation.
- Probiotics – Some flavors include gut-healthy probiotic bacteria.
- Hydration – The liquid format provides hydration, especially when replacing sugary sodas.
Downsides and Health Risks
However, there are also some potential downsides of drinking too much Suja juice, including:
- High natural sugar content – Excess sugars from the juices’ fruit content can spike blood sugar.
- Calorie density – At 60-300+ calories per bottle, it’s easy to over-consume.
- Fiber lacking – Juicing removes the pulp and skins where much of the beneficial fiber is found.
- Not very filling – You may feel hungry again soon after drinking the juices.
- Expense – At $3-7 per bottle, costs can add up if drinking daily.
Is Suja Juice Healthy Overall?
Suja juice drinks can provide a quick and convenient way to incorporate more fruits and veggies into your diet. The organic, cold-pressed ingredients retain vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds that are beneficial for health.
However, given the high natural sugar and calorie content, as well as lack of fiber, it’s best to consume Suja juices in moderation. Keep portion sizes reasonable, and aim to get no more than 1-2 servings per day as part of a balanced diet. Juices like Suja work best accompanying whole fruits and vegetables, not replacing them.
Also be mindful of the added sweeteners and flavors that some varieties include. And consider the high costs of a frequent Suja juice habit. Overall, Suja drinks can be a tasty supplement to a healthy lifestyle, but may not live up to all the hype on their own.
Conclusion
Suja offers a wide range of cold-pressed, organic juice drinks made from fruits, vegetables, and superfood add-ins. Their convenient bottling provides concentrated nutrition, antioxidants, and phytochemicals from produce. However, the high natural sugar content, lack of fiber, and potential to over-consume calories means Suja juices are best enjoyed in moderation. Getting 1-2 servings daily as part of a diet focused on whole foods can allow you to reap the benefits of Suja juices without going overboard.
