The question of whether 100% fruit juice causes poor health outcomes in children, such as weight gain, has been a subject of controversy.

On one hand, 100% fruit juice contains vitamins and nutrients that many children lack, is often cheaper than whole fruit, and may help kids with limited access to healthy food meet their daily fruit requirements. On the other, leading nutrition experts have expressed concern that fruit juice contains amounts of sugar equal to or greater than those of sugary drinks like regular soda. 

Guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Healthy Eating Research program warn that 100% juice can be a significant source of calories and contribute to obesity if consumed excessively.

Thus, they recommend that children should consume whole fruit instead of 100% fruit juice whenever possible. Since 2001, the AAP has recommended specific limits on how much 100% fruit juice children drink each day:

• None until age 1;

• No more than 4-6 ounces/day between ages 1 and 6 years; and

• No more than 8-12 ounces per day between ages 7 and 18 years. 

Two-thirds of children drink 100% fruit juice by age 1, and almost one-third of children under age 6 consume more juice than the AAP recommends. Older children drink less of it: Only 2% of children ages 7-18 exceed AAP’s recommended limit of 12 ounces per day.

This study sought to answer the question, “Is consumption of one standard serving size of 100% fruit juice each day associated with weight gain in children?” Because there are no randomized controlled trials – the gold standard for nutrition studies – to provide evidence for juice recommendations for children, we undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing research to synthesize the best available evidence. We systematically searched four scientific databases to answer this question and found eight studies – following a total of 34,470 children over time – and combined the results.

We did not find strong evidence that one serving per day of 100% fruit juice was associated with weight gain. In children ages 1-6, consumption of one daily serving was independently associated with a weight gain of only 0.08-0.15 kg (0.18-0.33 pounds) over one year. In children ages 7-18, 100% fruit juice was not independently associated with any weight gain.

This study does not resolve the debate about the health effects of 100% fruit juice among children. However, our study provides evidence that children may drink 100% fruit juice in moderation, and that the existing recommendations on daily limits are prudent.