4 Juices a Nurse Says to Limit for Better Blood Sugar Control

A glass of juice can seem like a better choice than soda or sweet tea, but it may raise blood sugar just as quickly. Juice contains carbohydrates and sugar, which the body turns into glucose for energy. If you have diabetes, prediabetes, or are monitoring your blood sugar, these four juices are worth limiting or avoiding.

1. Grape Juice

Even in 100% juice form, grape juice is especially high in sugar and carbohydrates. It also lacks key nutrients such as fiber, protein, and fat that help slow blood sugar spikes.

2. Apple Juice

Whole apples are a nutritious snack, but juicing removes most of the fiber that helps make them more blood-sugar-friendly. Although apple juice has fewer carbohydrates than grape juice, its low fiber and protein content leaves little to slow the absorption of sugar.

An 8-ounce serving of 100% apple juice contains:

3. Cranberry Juice

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Cranberry juice has some benefits, including potential protection against urinary tract infections (UTIs). Still, most cranberry juice products are high in sugar and low in fiber and protein.

Cranberry juice cocktails can contain about 30 grams of sugar in an 8-ounce serving, which is even more than the 100% juice version, while offering no fiber or protein.

4. Orange Juice

Orange juice is often a breakfast staple and is commonly viewed as an easy way to get vitamin C in the morning. Compared with grape, apple, and cranberry juice, it has slightly more protein and fiber, but the sugar content is still high enough to raise blood glucose quickly.