11 Unhealthiest Apple Juice Brands And Why You Should Avoid Buying Them

When scouring the aisles of your local supermarket for healthy beverage options, it's easy to be misled by products that appear nutritious at first glance. Apple juice, a staple in many households, often falls into this deceptive category. While apple juice, particularly brands that claim to be made from 100% juice, might seem like a wholesome choice for kids and adults alike, not all brands are created equal. In an effort to promote better health choices, we've identified 11 apple juice brands that might be best left on the shelf or, at the very least, consumed in healthy moderation alongside a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Our selection criteria for brands we consider to be less healthy than others on the market focuses on things like added sugars, calorie content, the presence of artificial ingredients, processing methods, and overall nutrient content and density. We aim to unpack the detailed nutritional information behind each brand, comparing their nutritional makeup to daily recommended intakes, and explaining how certain ingredients could potentially impact your health. All this considered, it is important to remember that what is considered "healthy" may be different for everyone. Each person's dietary needs differ, and you should talk to your doctor before making any significant dietary changes.

Mott's Apple Juice is another familiar brand that fills many household refrigerators. The brand markets itself well, boasting that it is made with 100% apple juice without any added sugar or artificial sweeteners, colorings, or flavorings. Although this is beneficial for concerned customers, it's important to note the nutritional facts about Mott's apple juice before consuming it daily.

Each 8-ounce serving delivers 120 calories and 28 grams of sugar. This brand often markets its juice as an excellent source of vitamin C; however, the high sugar content overshadows the potential benefits of the juice's additional vitamin C. Consuming such high-sugar beverages regularly can lead to long-term health problems. Additionally, Mott's juice often includes added ingredients like ascorbic acid for preservation, which while not harmful, suggests the juice has undergone considerable processing. Consumers should be wary of the implications of regular intake of high-sugar juices like Mott's and might consider diluted juice options or, ideally, whole fruit as healthier alternatives.

Juicy Juice markets itself by offering 100% apple juice with no added sugars, projecting an image of natural wholesomeness that appeals to many health-conscious consumers. However, the implications of the brand's sugar warrants a deeper look into the product and its nutrition facts. An 8-ounce serving of Juicy Juice Apple Juice contains 110 calories and a significant 27 grams of sugar. This level of sugar, despite being naturally occurring, is equivalent to about 6 ½ teaspoons, an amount that rivals many sugary soft drinks.

The main concern here is that the sugar in Juicy Juice comes from concentrated apple juice. Concentrating juice involves reducing its water content, which significantly increases sugar concentration per volume compared to the original fruit. This process also strips away much of the beneficial dietary fiber found in whole apples, which is crucial for slowing sugar absorption and aiding digestive health. Without this fiber, the body processes juice sugar more rapidly, leading to quicker spikes in blood sugar. 

For those seeking healthier alternatives, there are options. Brands that mix apple juice with other lower-sugar fruit or vegetable juices can provide a beverage that is less concentrated in sugars. Another simple and effective choice is diluting apple juice with water or sparkling water to reduce sugar intake per serving. These alternatives help maintain hydration and provide essential nutrients without the excessive sugar load found in many commercial fruit juices.

Capri Sun Apple Juice, known and loved by kids and parents for its convenient pouch packaging, might seem like a great kid-friendly option for a refreshing beverage. However, the popular kids' drink brand comes with its own set of concerns, even for products like its apple juice. Although each pouch contains only 80 calories and 20 grams of sugar, making it one of the lower-calorie options on this list, the sugar content is still significant, especially considering the small serving size. Children who consume multiple Capri Sun pouches a day may exceed their daily recommended sugar intake, leading to potential health issues. 

Additionally, Capri Sun Apple Juice contains added ingredients like citric acid and natural flavors, which while generally recognized as safe, indicate a level of processing that takes the apple juice further from all-natural. Parents looking for healthier alternatives may opt for drinks like unsweetened apple juice or encourage children to drink less sugary beverages like water.

Ocean Spray is widely recognized for its cranberry-based products, but its apple juice also holds a significant place in the beverage market. But is this trusted brand's apple juice a good option for those concerned with health? Nutritionally, a standard 8-ounce serving of Ocean Spray Apple Juice delivers 110 calories and a substantial 28 grams of sugar, a typical amount among commercially produced apple juices. Even though this sugar content is derived from natural fruit sugars without added sweeteners, it remains a major health concern, particularly for those trying to decrease regular sugar intake. 

While Ocean Spray markets its apple juice as containing 100% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C, the overall nutritional benefits of this are overshadowed by the high sugar content and lack of fiber. Opting for low-sugar beverages and snacks of whole fruits like apples provides a better source of natural fiber and promotes satiety with lower calorie and sugar intake overall.

Dole is a brand traditionally associated with high-quality fresh fruits and fruit products. It extends this reputation into its range of fruit juices, including apple juice. Yet, despite the wholesome image, Dole's apple juice product might not align well with the health expectations set by their fresh fruit. A typical bottle of Dole apple juice packs a hefty 210 calories and an alarming 48 grams of sugar, making it one of the highest in sugar content among major brands. This amount is roughly equivalent to about 12 teaspoons of sugar, far surpassing what many health experts recommend for daily sugar intake.

This high level of naturally occurring sugar, even though it comes from 100% juice with no added sugars or artificial ingredients, can still have detrimental health effects. The rapid absorption of the sugars from juice, due to the absence of fiber, leads to spikes in blood sugar, which over time can lead to insulin resistance and further health complications. While Dole apple juice does provide vitamin C — an essential nutrient known for its antioxidant properties — the benefits are overshadowed by the high sugar content. The lack of fiber is also a critical issue; fiber in whole fruits not only helps manage blood sugar levels, but also contributes to digestive health and satiety.

In creating our list of the unhealthiest apple juice brands, our approach was to evaluate a wide range of products available on the market and determine which juice brands are best to avoid by using facts from the brands themselves. Our methodology was rooted in an analysis of nutritional content, specifically focusing on factors that contribute significantly to health concerns when consumed in excess. These factors included added sugars, calorie content, artificial ingredients, unhealthy processing methods, and overall nutrient density. 

Put together, these facts provided us with a clear picture of which apple juice brands offer less nutritional value and could pose health risks if consumed regularly or in high quantities. Now, this isn't to say that consumers should never drink these brands or apple juice in general. Rather, this guide serves as a roadmap for consumers who are seeking transparency regarding what is in their glass, and would prefer to make healthier beverage choices for their personal health goals.