A Consumer Reports study of 45 popular fruit juices found traceable amounts of dangerous heavy metals and recommends that children consume less of these drinks.
“Heavy metals, like lead, arsenic, and cadmium were found in every product. Long-term exposure to these metals could cause some serious health risks, like kidney disease and certain types of cancer.
Heavy metals are substances that make their way into food because they occur naturally in the air, water and soil. They can also wind up in food during the manufacturing and packaging processes, reports CBS News’ Anna Werner.”1
As previously reported, heavy metal overload has been linked to problems like cancer, heart disease, brain deterioration, emotional problems, kidney disease, lung disease, and weak bones. The Consumer Reports study agrees, and advises parents to not panic, but rather, be aware and simply reduce the amount of packaged juice they give their children.
But not everyone agrees there is a need for concern.
“The Juice Products Association, whose board of directors includes executives from PepsiCo, Welch’s and other juice brands whose products were tested, said they haven’t seen the full study but called the results ‘unfounded’ and told CBS News they are committed to providing ‘safe’ and ‘nutritious’ products that meet FDA standards.
They also said that there is ‘no scientific evidence’ indicating that trace levels of heavy metals have caused any negative health outcomes.”1
Dr. Leo Trasande, director of environmental pediatrics at New York University School of Medicine, recommends parents swap the juices for a preferably organic apple and instead, drink water.
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