Cloudy apple juice is best

Cloudy apple juice may be healthier than the clear variety because it has a greater impact on unhealthy molecules in the body, according to a recent Polish study.

The Polish researchers found that pulpy, non-clarified juice carries a greater antioxidant punch than clear juice. Antioxidants are compounds that neutralise molecules that can damage body cells and contribute to disease.

Unlike cloudy apple juice, the much more common clear variety undergoes additional processing to remove any apple solids. Manufacturers typically think the public will favour the more attractive, clear juice over its cloudy cousin, and retailers prefer the clear variety for its longer shelf life.

But the new findings suggest that health-conscious consumers should reach for the cloudy variety, according to Dr Jan Oszmianski, the study’s lead author, whose
report was published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.