Nutrient Density

Grapefruit Juice Has Among The Highest Nutrient Content
A new study shows citrus juices provide more nutrients per calorie than many other commonly consumed 100% fruit juices.1 Pink grapefruit (such as Ruby Red and other colored varieties) and orange juices earned the highest nutrient-density scores because, compared to some other fruit juices in the analysis, they are lower in calories and higher in essential nutrients.

Co-funded by the University of Florida and the Florida Department of Citrus, the study used six methodologies to quantify the nutrient density of seven commonly consumed 100% fruit juices including apple, grape, orange, pineapple, pink grapefruit, prune and white grapefruit. Pink grapefruit juice had the highest nutrient-density score based on all methods except one, where orange juice had a slightly higher score. Orange juice ranked second in all other methods. White grapefruit juice ranked third in all six methods.

The USDA 2005 Dietary Guidelines encourage consumers to eat more nutrient-dense foods because they offer important benefits such as reduced risk for a number of chronic diseases, normal growth and development of children, and health promotion for people of all ages. Read the full nutrient density report.

References

1. Rampersaud GC. A comparison of nutrient density scores for 100% fruit juices. J Food Sci. 2007;72:S261-S266.