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Fruit drinks Updated: 02 Dec 2008

Sugar content

Sugary drinks such as fruit juice, fruit drinks and cordials have about the same energy and sugar content as soft drinks. This means they have the same potential for weight gain.

Just Juice's Splash Orange and Mango fruit drink had the lowest sugar content. It's a 50/50 mix of spring water and fruit juice but it still contained 3 teaspoons of sugar in a 250ml serving.

Products with too much sugar in a 250ml serving

Ocean Spray's Cranberry Blackcurrant and Golden Circle's Pineapple Juice had the highest sugar content - close to 8 teaspoons in a 250ml serving.

The maximum recommended daily intake of sugar for an average-sized woman is 17 teaspoons (for men it's 26 teaspoons). A couple of glasses of Ocean Spray's Cranberry Blackcurrant would see most women almost reaching the limit.

All sugar has the same effect on teeth. Bacteria use it to produce acids, which then attack the tooth enamel.

It pays to keep sugary drinks for mealtimes. Avoid sipper bottles, because sipping something high in sugar over a long period is the surest way to damage your teeth.

Brushing your teeth is also important. But wait 30 minutes after finishing your sugary drink before you brush. Acidic drinks temporarily soften tooth enamel: brushing immediately after a sugary drink may mean you remove the softened enamel.