Are you looking for ways to make your diet more healthy? If yes, you may already know that fruit juices are the best option to enhance the nutrition contents of your daily diet. As the lifestyle of people has changed, it has made them busier. In such a situation, preparing fresh fruit juice daily by the fruits is not practical.
That’s where packed fruit juices come as the knight in shining armor. There are plenty of brands that offer packed fruit juices. But with so many options available in the market, it can be challenging to choose the best option. That’s why we are here with our buying guide mentioning the 10 best fruit juices in India. Our list includes brands like Real, Tropicana, Paper Boat, etc. So let's begin! Read more to check the comments from the expert nutritionist, Ruchi Wadhwa, as she explained the ingredients, type of bottle to buy, and more!
Ruchi Wadhwa is a certified Nutritionist with a keen interest in Ayurvedic science. She has a wholesome, holistic, and sustainable approach to nutrition.
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Table of Contents
Ruchi Wadhwa is a certified Nutritionist with a keen interest in Ayurvedic sciences. She has a wholesome, holistic, and sustainable approach to nutrition. Check out our Food and drinks section as more articles are reviewed by expert Ruchi Wadhwa.
As easy as it may sound, choosing the best fruit juices in India among the overcrowded options is not that easy. For selecting the right one, only checking the taste is not enough. You need to consider other factors like added preservatives and supplements, sugar content, etc. Don’t get overwhelmed because, in this guide, you will get to understand all these points in detail.
We often buy products without checking the labels and even when we do, we don't exactly know what to look for to make an informed decision.
Many manufacturers dilute fruit juices with water or other cheaper vegetable juices to save money. A 100% juice means that the manufacturer extracted all the ingredients from a fruit. If you see a bottle labelled 'drink', 'cocktail', or 'beverage', it means the product contains a tiny amount of juice, which can be as little as 5%.
However, 100% juice isn't equal to a whole serving of fruit because the juice is high in calories. When you consume one medium orange, your calorie intake is 65, whereas it increases to 111 with a cup of orange juice. This is because one cup of orange juice is usually made from around three medium oranges, thus increasing the calorie intake.
A 100% juice means a fruit juice made from 100% liquid fruit without any additives, colorants, or sugars. 100% juices can either be 'made from concentrate' or 'not-from-concentrate, out of the two latter is better as it is closest to the real form whereas, 'made from concentrate' juices need to be reconstituted with water.
Pulpy juices have more fiber content than clear juices and contain more of the original fruit. Fruits are healthy because of the sugar that gives you energy and the fiber that slows down sugar absorption. It also regulates the sugars in the blood and aids digestion.
Pulps of citrus fruits like orange have high concentrations of a dietary fiber called pectin. Pectin is useful in lowering cholesterol by improving the removal of fat and harmful chemicals from the body. Try juices with pulp to balance your sugar and fiber intake.
Fruits are a great source of fiber, both soluble & insoluble, in our diet. Regular intake of 30 to 40g of fiber can improve digestion, promote healthy gut bacteria, regulate blood sugar levels and reduce blood cholesterol making fiber an indispensable part of our diet. After whole fruit, the next best thing is a pulpy juice with some of its fiber intact.
This can be considered one of the main steps as preservatives are essential for increasing the juice’s shelf life. These are also used for enhancing the taste and color of the juice. Preservatives can be defined in two categories. One is natural, while the other is artificial.
Natural preservatives like sorbic acid, citric acid, malic acid, etc., prevent yeast growth in the fruit juice by maintaining the optimum pH level. But artificial preservatives like nitrates are bad for health and can cause serious health issues. So check the added preservatives carefully before consuming any fruit juice.
Most fruit juices contain preservatives that are essential to improve their shelf-life and keeping quality. Artificial sweeteners like nitrates and nitrites are known to produce cancer-causing agents. Therefore, choose a product that contains natural preservatives like sorbic acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid, etc., and is processed adequately by techniques like pasteurization.
A lot of fruit juices get processed during their manufacturing process. They are reduced by heating to remove water for easy transportation in the factories. Processing decreases the level of nutrients in them. However, it also eliminates the growth of bacteria and germs, resulting in longer shelf life of the juice.
On the other hand, natural fruit juices have a shorter shelf life, but their nutrients remain intact. So if you want to keep the juice longer on your shelf, processed fruit juices are a better option. But if you consume juice daily, it is best to go for natural fruit juices to maintain a balanced diet.
To have a long shelf-life, fruit juices need to be treated adequately at high temperatures resulting in a microbe-free product that can be stored for days. However, processing results in the loss of certain heat-sensitive nutrients, making it less healthy. To avoid this, either choose a less-processed product or an enriched/fortified one.
Fruit juices are mainly processed, as we mentioned above. The processing step causes a significant decrease in their natural sugar content, i.e. fructose. Now fructose from whole fruit isn't harmful because the fibre in fruit slows down sugar absorption, making you feel fuller for a long time.
But fruit juices have most of their fibre removed while processing, making you drink more liquid in less time. Thus, adding extra calories, carbs and sugar to your diet. Some manufacturers also use artificial or processed sugar to sweeten a juice. This processed sugar does not fall in the category of healthy edibles.
Therefore, if you are concerned about sugar level or diabetes, choose one with less than 4 gm of sugar per 100 gm of juice. You can also include whole fruit in your diet along with juice to compensate for the sugar consumed.
Fruits contain a natural sugar called fructose which in itself is not harmful. But, when fruits are processed into fruit juices by removing the fiber thus, increasing overall sugar content,i.e., now a glass of orange juice has fructose equivalent of 3 whole oranges.
Additionally, sugar is added to fresh juices either to improve taste or increase their shelf life. Thus, making the final product less healthy. Juices are naturally high in sugar and don't need extra sugar.
Fruit juices come in a variety of packing materials and bottle/container sizes. Cheap plastic containers can degrade the nutritional quality of the juice by releasing harmful components over time.
Glass bottles are the safest choice to keep the flavour intact and not let harmful chemicals seep into the juice. It might be heavy to carry around or break too quickly, but it also makes a sustainable choice to keep the environment safe.
When choosing a packaging based on its size, you can pick a single-use tetra pak, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottle, or a can to be consumed in one go. You can opt for juice pouches to carry around while travelling or on-the-go snacking in the office.
The packaging of juice will give you a distinct idea about its health. For example, if the juice bottle/pack is swollen or gassed up or if the seal is broken, then it is unfit for consumption. Always check the seal, 'best before' and 'expiry' dates of the juices before buying. Juices are a good snack option, but in no way can they replace whole fruits.
₹110.00
Real is the most trusted juice brand in India. It offers 14 fresh fruit juice flavors, including mango, orange, peach, amla, guava and grapes. All the juices contain natural fruit sugar to give you the best taste, keeping your health in safe hands. They do not have any added preservatives.
Real uses only fresh juice for processing. Many consumers said that the taste of each flavor is excellent, and it helps give a fresh start to the day. Their packaging is a six-layered tetra pak that keeps the product safe from air, germs, sunlight, and UV rays. You can make various other drinks from this juice, like mocktails, smoothies, cocktails, slushes, etc.
₹180.00
Paper Boat is a manufacturer of authentic flavors of drinks found in traditional homes across India. They offer a wide range of drinks packed with the finest of ingredients, handpicked with care. Some of their top-selling flavors are Aamras, Jaljeera, and Chilli Guava.
Their juices are low in calories and high in functional benefits. The taste is refreshing and much loved by consumers. They have no added preservatives and artificial colors added to make the appearance of juice more attractive.
All their juices are gluten-free, which ensures no allergic reaction to people with wheat allergies. Their packaging is also travel-friendly. The pouches are made of four-part laminate, making them environment and health-friendly.
₹110.00
Tropicana is a sub-division company of PepsiCo. They offer various types of juices as well as juice blends. Tropicana juices are enriched with nine nutrients, including potassium, vitamin C, etc., to support a healthy immune system.
A glass of orange juice daily is a healthy and tasty treat that rejuvenates senses and body. It also provides energy for the whole day. The juices from Tropicana don’t contain added preservatives. They are also free from any added artificial colors.
The composition of fruit juice contains concentrated fruit extract, water, acidity regulator, and iodised salt. They are cholesterol-free as well as fat-free, which makes them suitable for daily consumption.
₹176.00
B- Natural Juice range is a product of ITC, which is a leading FMCG brand in India. Their manufacturing process involves picking raw materials produced by locals. Their entire range of fruits used in manufacturing juices is sourced through local Indian farmers. Some of their top-selling juice flavors are guava, orange, and jamun.
The packaging of the fruit juice is composed of a six-layer tetra pak. The juices have no added preservatives. They don’t use any artificial sweetener or added flavor in their juices. The brand also claims that juice production does not involve any juice or pulp heating, thus protecting all the nutrients.
₹155.00
Ceres is a brand from South Africa that offers an exotic range of juices rich in vitamin C and contain all-natural 100% pure fruit juice. The wholesome and earthy flavor of this ruby grapefruit juice makes it a favorite of all health-conscious people. It is gluten-free, cholesterol-free, and contains minimum sodium.
Reviewers say that the juice is healthy but tastes slightly sour, probably because it does not have any added sugar, which is a good thing. They liked the product but were a little disappointed with the packaging as a tetra pak got punctured or damaged during delivery.
₹30.00
Patanjali is a renowned Ayurvedic brand in India that has now ventured into the FMCG market. It manufactures 100% natural fruit juices that are free from any impurity. Their juices are made of fresh fruits picked from their farms. The mango juice is made of pure mango pulp and is loaded with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, iron, and calcium.
The mango juice tastes fresh and thick as a fresh juice should suggest the reviewers. Patanjali does not spend a lot on the packaging, so; you get a simple plastic bottle. If the brand improves the packaging, it would overall be a good product. The price is also quite reasonable.
₹199.00
Del Monte is serving its customers since 1886. They have their farms and use 100% organic fruits to produce naturally fresh and healthy juices. Their fruit juices are rich in vitamins and minerals. This green apple drink has a refreshing, new flavor that's apt for the summer season. It'll leave you refreshed and recharged.
Apples are rich in antioxidants and dietary fibre, and this drink does not eliminate any of these natural nutrients. You can also try their other unique flavors, like pineapple and four seasons. Reviewers liked the juices but complained about the packing. They say that the tins can be made of better quality.
₹358.00
The AloFrut juices claim to offer a perfect blend of health as well as taste. They use fresh extracts of fruits to make their juices healthy and nutritious. They also add aloe vera gel to each juice as it is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. The aloe content makes the taste of the juice a bit bitter at the end of the sip. But that can be ignored, considering the many benefits it offers.
AloFrut has a vast selection of juices to choose from, including guava, mango, anaar, and Jamun. All these juices are rich in fresh juice content and the goodness of aloe vera. However, some customers felt unsatisfied with the sugar contents of the juices.
₹200.00
Raw Pressery's mixed fruit juice contains guava pulp, papaya pulp, sugarcane juice, lemon juice, pomegranate juice, pineapple juice, and mango juice, all in one. It gives all the benefits of various juices in one serving. The mixed juice is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, making it a healthy drink for daily consumption.
It is also sugar-free and contains only natural sugar content extracted from sugar cane. All the Raw Pressery juices are made from fresh fruit pulps, and they don’t use concentrate of fruits. Neither do they add any preservative so, their juices come with a limited shelf life and should be consumed fresh.
₹67.50
Minute Maid is a sub-division of Coca-Cola that manufactures refreshing fruit juices. Their juices contain the goodness of natural fruits and the pulp that you can taste in every sip you take. In this orange juice, you can enjoy the blast of natural pulp. It is an ideal drink to quench thirst during summers.
The juice does have an added sugar, which might not be the best thing for health-conscious people. Some people felt that the juice tastes more like cough syrup, but that's something you'll have to try before agreeing to.
Taking care of your health and pursuing a healthy lifestyle should be incorporated by everyone. Fruit juices help in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but they are not the only products available. You can also try the below-mentioned items for improving your and your family’s health.
If you are someone who can't spend much time squeezing fresh fruit juice daily but still want to add a healthy drink to your diet, then packed fruit juices are your savior. They are rich in nutrition and promote a strong immune system.
There are plenty of brands that sell packed fruit juices in India. But before buying one, be mindful of the sugar content, added supplements, and preservatives. All these factors will help you to select the best fruit juices in India.
Author: Sanskriti Sharma
Editor: Srishti Sikka
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