Juice is often a hot topic of debate. Is it healthy because it's made from fruit, or unhealthy due to its high sugar content? The answer depends on the brand. While some beverages marketed as juice are essentially sugary drinks, others provide real health benefits. Many 100% juices offer important nutrients like vitamins A, C, and D, potassium, and zinc—nutrients that are often missing from the typical Western diet.
According to the USDA’s MyPlate guidelines, one cup of 100% fruit juice counts as a serving of fruit. Choosing 100% juice is a great first step toward making a healthier beverage choice, but there are additional factors to consider. Here’s everything you need to know about identifying a healthy juice, along with dietitians' top 10 favorite juice brands.
How to Choose a Healthy Juice:
- Check for vitamins and minerals: Some juices offer more micronutrients than others. Look at the nutrition facts label—a good juice should be rich in at least one key vitamin or mineral.
- Opt for juice, not juice cocktails: The word "cocktail" often indicates that a beverage isn't 100% juice. Drinks like cranberry juice cocktail may taste great, but they’re usually only partially made with real fruit.
- Avoid added sugars: One hundred percent juice should be just that—juice. The healthiest options have no added sugars, ensuring you’re not consuming unnecessary sweeteners.
Top 10 Healthiest Juices:
- Suja Organic Mighty Dozen
- Cheribundi Tart Cherry Juice
- POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice
- Beet It Sport
- Bolthouse Farms Daily Greens
- Santa Cruz Organic Red Tart Cherry Juice
- Sunsweet Amaz!n Prune Juice
- Natalie's Pineapple Kale Zinc Juice
- V-8 Low Sodium Vegetable Juice
- Ocean Spray Pure Cranberry Juice
Why These Juices Are Dietitian-Approved:
These juices are praised for their nutrient density and health benefits. Read on to discover why they made the list.
Suja Organic Mighty Dozen
Nutrition (Per serving):
- Calories: 90
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Carbs: 20 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 18 g)
- Protein: 2 g
When life gets hectic, finding time to eat your greens can be tough. Suja's Mighty Dozen juice offers a convenient way to drink them instead! "I love the Mighty Dozen because it contains no added sugars and is packed with nutrient-dense, gut-friendly ingredients like spirulina, chlorella, and ginger," says Julie Balsamo, MS, RDN, of Nutrition By Julie.
There are additional perks to this green juice as well. "Suja is a standout healthy juice brand because all their juices are organic and cold-pressed, preserving a higher concentration of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals," Balsamo adds.
Cheribundi Tart Cherry Juice
Nutrition (Per serving):
- Calories: 100
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Carbs: 25 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 25 g)
- Protein: 1 g
Each 8-ounce bottle of Cheribundi’s tart cherry juice packs the power of 60 cherries, delivering a variety of health benefits. "It’s a tasty way to reduce inflammation, speed up recovery, and support immune health thanks to its high antioxidant content," says Katie Schimmelpfennig, RD, founder of Eat Swim Win. "For those who are active, drinking tart cherry juice before bed can improve training recovery, and the natural melatonin can help promote better sleep." Get ready to pucker up!
POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice
Nutrition (Per serving):
- Calories: 160
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Carbs: 39 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 34 g)
- Protein: 1 g
A healthy juice should provide an abundance of vitamins and minerals, and POM Wonderful’s 100% pomegranate juice is a standout, especially for its potassium content. "This juice contains as much potassium as a banana," notes Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RD, owner of Bucket List Tummy and consultant for POM Wonderful. "It also has no added sugars and delivers 700 milligrams of polyphenol antioxidants in every 8-ounce serving, which can help combat free radicals."
Beet It Sport
Nutrition (Per serving):
- Calories: 88
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Carbs: 18 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 17 g)
- Protein: 3.7 g
Beet It Sport might surprise you when you think of juice, but drinking beets can offer impressive benefits, especially for athletes. "This delicious beetroot juice provides the ideal amount of nitrates for performance enhancement," says Katie Schimmelpfenning, RD. "Beet juice can boost endurance and stamina, and it’s also a great source of potassium."
Bolthouse Farms Daily Greens
Nutrition (Per serving):
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 36 mg
- Carbs: 55 g (Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 29 g)
- Protein: 2 g
If you're looking for a healthy juice that combines fruits and veggies in one bottle, Bolthouse Farms Daily Greens is a great choice. Ingredients like apple, cucumber, kiwi, celery, kale, and spinach are just a few of the nourishing components. "With its blend of fruits and vegetables, Bolthouse Farms Daily Greens provides a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants," says Kayley George, MS, RD, LD. Plus, it contains no added sugars, and it's free from artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors.
Santa Cruz Organic Red Tart Cherry Juice
Nutrition (Per serving):
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 15 mg
- Carbs: 29 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 24 g)
- Protein: TK g
Another tart cherry option comes from Santa Cruz Organic, a California-based juice company favored by dietitians. "Made with organic ingredients, this juice balances the tangy taste of tart cherries with a subtle hint of apple juice," says Tiffany Lankford, MS, RD, LD. "The natural melatonin found in tart cherries has been associated with helping prevent insomnia." For a zesty, sleep-enhancing treat, enjoy a sip of this refreshing tart cherry elixir before bed!
Sunsweet Amaz!n Prune Juice
Nutrition (Per serving):
- Calories: 180
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Carbs: 44 g (Fiber: 4 g, Sugar: 24 g)
- Protein: 1 g
"I'm a big fan of Sunsweet Amaz!n prune juice. It offers a natural source of 4 grams of fiber, which supports digestive health and overall well-being," says dietitian Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDCES, author of 2 Day Diabetes Diet and spokesperson for Sunsweet Growers. She also highlights that this juice provides five essential vitamins and minerals, with no added sugar. Enjoy it on its own or add a splash to your smoothies for a nutrient boost.
Natalie's Pineapple Kale Zinc Juice
Nutrition (Per serving):
- Calories: 70
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 35 mg
- Carbs: 18 g (Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 12 g)
- Protein: 2 g
Who would have thought pineapple and kale could be such a delicious combination? This fruit and veggie blend delivers a tropical flavor that’s naturally sweet, with no added sugars. It’s also packed with zinc, providing 45% of your daily needs in just 8 ounces. "Additionally, it’s a great source of calcium and vitamin D, which support strong bones and healthy teeth," says Sheri Berger, RDN, CDCES, a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant for Consumer Health Digest.
V-8 Low Sodium Vegetable Juice
Nutrition (Per serving):
- Calories: 45
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Carbs: 9 g (Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 7 g)
- Protein: 2 g
If you're aiming for something low in calories, V-8's Low Sodium Vegetable Juice is hard to beat, with just 45 calories per 8-ounce serving. Plus, since it counts as a serving of vegetables, it's a great way to boost your veggie intake. "I love this juice for a savory option. It's an easy way to add two extra servings of veggies and is packed with potassium!" says Chelsea Newbrough, RDN, and founder of The Candid Carrot.
Ocean Spray Pure Cranberry Juice
Nutrition (Per serving):
- Calories: 60
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 15 mg
- Carbs: 18 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 9 g)
- Protein: 0 g
Looks can be deceiving, especially when it comes to cranberry juice. Always make sure it’s 100% juice, as many brands add sugar to cut the tartness. One reliable option is Ocean Spray Pure Cranberry Juice, which is widely available in grocery stores. "It contains no added sugar, which is crucial when selecting a juice. Plus, cranberry juice has been shown to help reduce the risk of UTIs in women," says Chelsea Newbrough, RDN.