I’m a dietitian – these are the healthiest juices

If you like juicing, don’t beat yourself up; some varieties are even good for you.

Drinking juice may seem like a healthy way to consume fruits or vegetables, but many juices are packed with sugar and calories. However, that doesn’t mean some juices can’t be part of a healthy diet.

Registered dietitians Natalie Rizzo and Lisa Young told “Today” which juices they think are healthiest. They said drinking half a glass or four ounces of fruit juice daily can be part of a healthy diet.

Checking the label at the grocery store is a good start. Some juices have high fructose corn syrup added, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020 to 2025.

Rizzo suggested that people should make sure what they consume is 100% juice.

“Since 100% juice is made only from fruits or vegetables, it contains no added sugar,” she noted. “Drinking juice is a good way to get nutrients from food if you can’t meet your daily intake of fruits or vegetables.”

Here are their tips for healthy sipping:

Pomegranate juice

Pomegranate is high in polyphenols, antioxidants that fight inflammation, Rizzo said.

The antioxidants in pomegranate juice may help prevent cancer, improve digestion, reduce insulin resistance and provide vitamin C, according to Medical News Today.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that pomegranate juice may help visual memory in older adults.

Beetroot juice

Rizzo explained that beet juice is a vasodilator, meaning it increases blood flow in the body.

Beetroot juice can also lower blood pressure, improve endurance, improve muscle strength in people with heart failure, help people maintain a healthy weight, support the liver, lower cholesterol and provide a good source of folic acid and potassium, according to Healthline.

Low sodium vegetable juice

Low-sodium V8 is low-calorie and is a great source of vitamins A and C, as well as potassium, according to Healthiness. Young told “Today” that she likes a mix of vegetable juices like V8 better than plain tomato juice.

V8 provides the consumer with two portions of vegetables, but the juice may not be a vegetable substitute.

Young said that of all the juices, V8 is the best for weight loss. Instead of drinking just 4 ounces, people can drink up to 8 ounces of vegetable juice.

Sweet cherry juice

Young said a glass of tart cherry juice without added sugar is the best option.

“Sour cherry juice is one of my favorites to recommend to athletes because it has been shown to reduce muscle soreness,” Rizzo advised.

Tart cherries also contain tryptophan and melatonin, making them a natural sleep aid.

orange juice

Orange juice is the most popular juice in the US. According to Healthline, it is high in vitamin C and antioxidants.

However, orange juice is often high in calories and sugar, which can lead to diabetes or weight management problems.