Question: I have read that sodas with sugar are harmful but recently my uncle said he had read that fruit juices are also not healthy and can raise blood sugar too high. What is your opinion on this?
Answer: Sodas, sugary sports drinks, and other sugar-sweetened beverages raise blood sugar levels and increase one's risk of developing type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome thus raising the risk of heart disease. What many people don't realize is that even though fruit juices (for instance apple and orange) have beneficial substances, they still contain lots of a sugar called fructose which can cause similar problems as that found in sodas. Many people, including lots of children, drink 8 ounces or more of orange juice in the morning. The sugar in fruit juices causes a spike in blood sugar levels. I generally recommend no more than two to four ounces of fruit juice at any one time.