Nutritionist commends Chivita’s ‘No-added Sugar’ commitment

L-R: Ademola Mafikuyomi, senior brand manager(Juice, Nectar and Still Drinks), Chi Limited; Ernest Ighravwe, head, research and development, Chi Limited; Olusola Malomo, national publicity secretary, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, and Olarenwaju Dapo, assistant brand manager (Juice, Nectar and Still Drinks), Chi Limited, at the unveiling of the Chivita ‘no-added sugar’ campaign in Lagos recently.

Olusola Malomo, national publicity secretary, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, has commended the juice making standards of Chivita100 percent fruit juice, the flagship brand of Chi Limited, and its commitment to ‘no-added sugar’ process, describing it as a healthy substitute for raw fruits.

According to him, “100 percent fruit juice is made from the flesh of fresh fruit or from whole fruit, depending on the type used. It is not permitted to add sugar, sweeteners, preservatives, flavouring or colourings to fruit juices. Chivita 100 percent complies with these requirements as articulated by its production and packaging process.”

Malomo, who led discussion at a media session held in Lagos on Tuesday, said 100 percent fruit juice has same nutritional value with natural fruits and could help in detoxifying the body system while aiding weight loss when taken before breakfast.

He stated that regular consumption of the fruit juice could also address modern health challenges caused by fewer minerals/vitamins/antioxidants, processed foods, excess sugar, excess fat/cholesterol, improper chemical combination and excess animal fat.

The nutritionist further said: “It is often difficult to say which between raw fruit and fruit juice gives more nutrients to the body. Although eating whole fruit is considered to be the best way of attaining the full benefits of fruits, fruit juice is an easy and healthy option. Of course, if the juice contains 100 percent fruit without preservatives and additives, it has same nutritional value with natural fruit”.

“With a busy lifestyle, our eating habits have become packed with preservatives and processed foods that are not only devoid of essential nutrients but can also cause some harm to the body. 100 percent fruit juice helps to correct the harm caused by these new eating habits; boost the immune system and keep the body in perfect health.”

Malomo stated that 100 percent fruit juice helps in lowering inflammation, noting that its consumption has a beneficial effect on cardiovascular diseases. He described the fruit juice variant as an appropriate healthy diet.

“When you drink fruit juice the supply of energy increases in no time. This is one of the prime benefits of fruit juice that we can utilise in our busy schedules. This is the reason why athletes often drink fruit juice during and after exercising. It is also the same reason pregnant women are advised to often take it.”

He noted that sugar consumption is not entirely bad as long as it is within the recommended dietary requirement, adding that sugar is needed to supply the energy needed for the functioning of the body.

According to him, “sugar is not singularly responsible for obesity and diabetes. What causes these illnesses are primarily more related to lifestyle. Fruits or fruit juice are much more than just source of fructose (natural sugar that comes with fruit). There are lots of nutrients in them that are important for health. Moreover, sugar in fructose is very healthy.

“One small glass (150ml) of 100 percent orange juice contains 100 percent of the daily requirements of Vitamin C. The carbohydrate in 100 percent fruit juice, including the sugar naturally occurs and comes from the whole fruit from which it is squeezed.”

On his part, Deepanjay Roy, managing director, Chi Limited, said Chivita as a brand, is concerned about the misconceptions on juice consumption, which are capable of creating needless barrier to enjoying the many nutritional benefits of 100 percent juice.

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