Author
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Lifschitz, Carlos |
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Submitted to: Pediatrics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 6/20/1999 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Fruit juice consumption by babies has increased dramatically over the past decade. Sometimes parents give their babies too much juice, which can result in problems like diarrhea and abdominal pain. That has been blamed on the carbohydrate composition of the type of juice. Because of the individual carbohydrate composition, white grape juice would seem to result tin better absorption than pear juice. We studied 12 infants who were given either white grape juice or pear juice in a moderate quantity twice a day for two weeks, to determine whether this amount would be appropriate for optimal absorption, and whether the carbohydrate content would make any difference. We found that at the moderate quantities administered, there were no significant differences in the results of the two juices, and no digestive problems. This information will benefit pediatricians and parents alike in regard to the proper nutrition of babies. Technical Abstract: Objective. To compare the absorption of carbohydrate in particular from a moderate quantity (10 ml.kg-1) of white grape juice and pear juice after a single feeding and after ingestion twice daily for 2 weeks, and determine their respective effects on stool water content, in healthy infants. Study participants. Twelve healthy, well-nourished infants, 5 to 9 months of age, who were recruited from the general population. Design/Methods. Infants underwent a breath hydrogen test following a serving of pear juice. Three to five days later, the test was repeated after a serving of white grape juice. Infants were randomly assigned to receive a 10 ml.kg-1 serving of grape juice or pear juice twice daily for 2 weeks. The breath tests were repeated following the ingestion of the juices in the same sequence. With the second breath test with pear juice, a charcoal marker and 20 mg 13C-fructose, a stable, nonradioactive isotope, were mixed with the juice. Water content of the stools was compared before and after the 2 week feeding of the juice, and fecal samples were analyzed for 13C enrichment by mass spectrometry. Results. There was no significant difference in the peak breath H2 levels following grape juice and pear juice assigned. Conclusion. When either grape or pear juice is administered in moderate quantities, the carbohydrate is well absorbed, produces no adverse gastrointestinal symptoms, and has no effect on stool water in healthy infants. |
