Complete Juice & Fruit Drinks Guide

Comprehensive analysis of 200 juice and fruit drink products from 82 brands. Compare 100% juice vs drinks, understand concentrate, identify added sugars, and find healthier beverage options.

200
Products Analyzed
82
Brands
1.9
Avg Processing Score
5.0/10
Avg Nutrition Score

Juice & Fruit Drinks by Processing Level

Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed
Level 1
Minimally Processed
156

100% fresh-pressed juice with no additives. Just fruit.

Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
Processed
44

100% juice from concentrate with no added sugars or preservatives.

Processing Level: 3 out of 4 - Highly Processed
Level 3
Highly Processed
0

Juice drinks with added sugars, preservatives, or artificial flavors.

Processing Level: 4 out of 4 - Ultra-Processed
Level 4
Ultra-Processed
0

Highly processed fruit drinks with artificial colors, flavors, and HFCS.

Healthiest Juice Options

Top-rated juice products with minimal processing and better nutrition scores

100% Orange No Pulp Calcium & Vitamin D Premium Juice, Orange

Hy-vee

Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed
Level 1
Minimally Processed
Processing:2.0
Nutrition:8.0/10

100% Orange No Pulp Calcium & Vitamin D Premium Juice, Orange

Hy-vee

Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed
Level 1
Minimally Processed
Processing:2.0
Nutrition:8.0/10

100% Tart Montmorency Cherry Concentrate

Cherry Bay Orchards

Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed
Level 1
Minimally Processed
Processing:1.0
Nutrition:6.0/10

Natural Black Cherry Concentrate

Sundown Naturals

Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed
Level 1
Minimally Processed
Processing:1.0
Nutrition:6.0/10

Cocktail Juice Drink

Best

Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed
Level 1
Minimally Processed
Processing:2.0
Nutrition:6.0/10

Organic Pear Nectar

Bionaturae

Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed
Level 2
Processed
Processing:3.0
Nutrition:6.0/10

Odwalla, 100% Juice

Odwalla

Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed
Level 1
Minimally Processed
Processing:1.0
Nutrition:5.0/10

100% Orange Juice

Hannaford

Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed
Level 1
Minimally Processed
Processing:1.0
Nutrition:5.0/10

Premium 100% Juice, Orange

Southern Home

Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed
Level 1
Minimally Processed
Processing:1.0
Nutrition:5.0/10

100% Orange Juice

Food Lion

Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed
Level 1
Minimally Processed
Processing:1.0
Nutrition:5.0/10

100% Pure Premium Juice, Orange

Tops

Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed
Level 1
Minimally Processed
Processing:1.0
Nutrition:5.0/10

100% Juice From Spanish Grapes

Zumosol

Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed
Level 1
Minimally Processed
Processing:1.0
Nutrition:5.0/10

How to Choose Healthier Juice

What to Look For

  • 100% juice label: No added sugars, only natural fruit sugars - verify ingredient list shows only juice
  • One ingredient: Best juice has just fruit juice, no added sugars, flavors, or preservatives
  • Low processing score: Look for juice with processing scores under 3.0 (100% juice typically scores 1.5-2.5)
  • From concentrate is okay: "From concentrate" is still 100% juice if no sugars or additives were added
  • Limit portions: Even 100% juice is high in natural sugars - limit to 4-6 oz per day, prioritize whole fruit

Red Flags to Avoid

  • "Juice drink" or "juice cocktail": Contains added sugars, water, and often artificial flavors (not 100% juice)
  • Added sugars: Sugar, HFCS, or corn syrup added beyond natural fruit sugars
  • Artificial flavors: Synthetic flavoring indicates heavily processed juice drinks
  • Artificial colors: Added colors like Red 40 or Yellow 5
  • Preservatives: Sodium benzoate and other preservatives (100% juice doesn't need them)