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Juice Plus+ Review

By CANDICE GREY ConsumersCompare.org Update: Jul 10, 2024

Reviews, Superfood Supplements

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Juice Plus+ Review

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Juice Plus+ produces and sells food supplements containing dried fruit and vegetable powders. A recent slogan and hashtag for the company reads: “Good food, happy kids.” Sounds like a win-win.

Juice Plus+ is popular, steeped in science and arguably a great nutritional choice—it says. Indeed, with fruits and vegetables you cannot go wrong. The health benefits derived from consuming fruits and vegetables is unchallenged. But can the same be said for fruit and vegetable concentrates? Plus, at around $50 to $100 a month for the supplements, depending on variety, it’s an investment. However, there are other products that offer more bang for your buck. Check out this list of better alternatives that are more cost-effective.

Juice Plus+ Claims

Juice Plus+ is the “next best thing to fruits and vegetables,” the company says. The idea behind Juice Plus+ is simple: People ideally want to eat more healthy, but for any number of reasons cannot bring a perfectly balanced and 100-percent healthy meal to the table several times a day. As Juice Plus+ says, “Our products bridge the gap between what we eat every day and what we should eat every day.”

Sounds perfect. Of course, even Juice Plus+ encourages people to still eat fruits and veggies daily—this is after all, a supplement that provides “valuable phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals and…powerful antioxidants that are important for your well-being.”

Juice PLUS+ has concentrated the most nutritious parts of 30 fruits, vegetables, and berries, and put those blends in capsules and chewable form. Concentrated powders from the “best parts” of fruits and vegetables, Juice PLUS+ claims those ingredients packed with powerful antioxidants “[increase] the quantity of important active components in the blood.” Quickly. But did you know there are supplements that can increase your metabolism even more? Don’t miss out on this comprehensive guide to the best metabolism boosters on the market!

Juice Plus+ touts dozens of studies it claims back up their science. For example, according to the American National Cancer Institute, antioxidants are “substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Examples of antioxidants include beta carotene, Lycopene, vitamin C and E and other substances. Many of these antioxidant substances come from fruits and vegetables.”

And these are exactly the substances you get with Juice PLUS+.

Juice Plus+ concentrates its fruit, vegetable, and berry powders “straight from the harvest” under what is described as “constant control” of Germany-based SGS Institut Fresenius, a global inspection, verification, testing and certification company.

Juice Plus+ says all its products are free of gluten lactose artificial aromas and colors or chemical stabilizers.

Juice Plus+ also includes Juice Plus+ Complete, more of a lifestyle than a short-term program, which takes a Juice Plus+ supplemental diet to a whole other level. Soups and shakes, bars and recipes, are in this product line.

The fruit bar, for example is packed with cranberries, raisins, Goji berries, mango, strawberries, dates, and peanuts combined with flaxseed. The bars are full of omega-3 fatty acids, have lots of dietary fiber, are vegan and gluten-free. Each bar can replace a full meal. The fruit and chocolate bar each have 210 calories. The Complete by Juice Plus+ Vegetable Soup is filled with veggies and is also a meal replacement at 248 calories.

Another part of the Juice Plus+ Complete program is the booster supplement with green tea and oat oil, it also has glucomannan which Juice Plus+ says, “is not only innovative but also helps people maintain a low-calorie diet conducive to weight loss.”

The Juice Plus+ Tower Garden is very cool. This is a separate part of the company but a popular one that encourages families to grow their own fruits and vegetables in a vertical, aeroponic growing system where you can grow 20 herbs, vegetables, and fruits indoors or outside in just a three-by-three foot space.

Using aeroponics—the same technology NASA uses—Tower Garden grows plants with only water and nutrients rather than dirt. Research has found aeroponic systems grow plants three times faster and produce 30% greater yields on average. That means you’ll be enjoying abundant, nutritious harvests just weeks after planting.

The Tower Garden, which does include seeds, pH kit, plant food, and starter cubes, runs $543 paid over twelve months. Amazon has a similar setup which includes only the tower, pump, and tubing, for $300. So it probably works out to within $50.

Juice Plus Ingredients

Fun fact: Juice Plus+ product labels are listed in 14 different languages; indeed, the company is based in Europe.

In the Juice Plus+ capsules, there are three varieties:

• Orchard: Apple, cranberry, orange, beet, pineapple, acerola cherry, papaya, peach, date, prune.
• Garden: Carrot, parsley, broccoli, spinach, kale, tomato, garlic, oat bran, rice bran, beet, cabbage.
• Vineyard: Cocoa, Concord grape, pomegranate, blueberry, green tea, cranberry, ginger root, blackberry, bilberry, raspberry, artichoke leaf, black currant, elderberry.

The capsules also contain gelatin, citrus pectin, calcium ascorbate, citrus bioflavonoids, natural carotenoid blend (lutein, beta carotene, lycopene, astaxanthin, zeaxanthin), glucomannan, natural tocopherol blend…, bromelain, papain, natural enzyme blend, Lactobacillus acidophilus, folic acid.

The Juice Plus+ gummies—or as they are marketed, chewable—include the fruit, vegetable and vineyard blends, which include all the same fruit and veggie ingredients plus gelling agents like pectin. Also, tapioca syrup and organic evaporated cane juice. What Juice Plus+ products do not contain are any artificial anything.

Adults take two each of the fruit, vegetable, and berry capsules daily with plenty of water. Children up to 13 years of age take just one each of the fruit, vegetable and berry capsules per day.

Journal after journal, abstract after abstract, Juice Plus+ claims it has been studied ad nauseum and the results are essentially the same: that their concentrated fruits and vegetables good for you. Let’s take a look.

The Science Behind Juice Plus+

One need not be a researcher or scientist to know that fruits and vegetables are among the most important foods we can eat. Most of the studies on Juice Plus+ specifically are conducted by Juice Plus+, but the list of medical journal articles from its website is pretty compelling. But good luck finding the actual studies themselves.

For example, one of the most credible is a Journal of Pediatrics-published study—conducted to determine the effectiveness of a fruit and vegetable juice concentrate (FVJC)—a clinical trial and research study by researchers at Nemours Children’s Health System in Jacksonville, Florida is alleged to specifically feature a Juice Plus+ FVJC, though I was unable to find the reference in either the text of the study or the analysis from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Which doesn’t mean the brand wasn’t used; I just could not find the reference. In any event, the study of 30 pre-pubescent overweight boys found that a diet supplemented with a FVJC saw the boys lose weight and their blood glucose levels drop. This line from the results as reported in the NIH is particularly compelling: “abdominal fat mass increased in the placebo group and decreased in the FVJC group.” However, if you are looking for supplements that may have an even more significant impact on reducing abdominal fat, check out this review of alternative supplements. 

Since there’s absolutely no doubt that fruits and vegetables are essential for good health, and that a fruit and vegetable concentrate supplement can be almost as beneficial as actually biting, chewing and swallowing those foods, a quick look at the science behind a Juice Plus+ supplement booster ingredient might be helpful, especially since it’s the one ingredient that is described as a weight loss aid—glucomannan.

Glucomannan might work in the digestive system, WebMD says, by absorbing water to “form a bulky fiber which treats constipation.” Additionally, glucomannan might slow down sugar and bad cholesterol absorption which can control blood sugar levels and reduce cholesterol. Mays and mights. But that’s good enough for most people. For those looking for more certainty and effectiveness, consider reading this compilation of expert reviews on alternative supplements that offer clearer benefits. 

Word on the Street about Juice Plus+

Juice Plus+ reviews are glowing on its website—of course—and the Amazon.com reviews are iffy, considering some claim the product may or may not be the real Juice Plus+ brand. So I went elsewhere.

WebMD reviews are not always easy to find, but the section for Juice Plus+ is fairly voluminous with 77 reviews from real users of the product(s) with gender, age, and, when applicable, medical conditions. Of the 77 reviews, which rated Juice Plus+ capsules, chewable, and meal replacements bars, in three categories—ease of use, effectiveness, and overall satisfaction—Juice Plus+ earned a combined 3.91 for effectiveness, 3.97 for overall satisfaction, and a 4.39 for ease of use (the latter, not a biggie: you pop capsules in your mouth).

Reviewer “Bill,” a 65- to 74-year-old using Juice Plus+ for several months, rated it a 5 in every category.

I have been taking Juice Plus for 5 months and have been able to discontinue all anti-inflammatory drugs. I have had two hip replacements and an ankle fusion so naturally had a ton of inflammation. Now I have nearly zero aches and pains associated with aging. This stuff has been a godsend for me.

Reviewer “Barts61,” a 55- to 64-year-old woman using Juice Plus+ for several months, gave it a 4 each on effectiveness and overall satisfaction.

I’ve been taking the trio of Juice Plus capsules for 3 months now. Have not been ill this winter, have better bowel function, more stamina and stronger nails and hair! Waiting to see what other health benefits will occur. Would definitely recommend to others! Not everyone is the same so the effectiveness may not show up right away – be patient. Yet, if you are keen on exploring products that might show faster results, here’s a guide to alternative supplements that pack a punch.

“DJ,” a 55- to 64-year-old woman rated Juice Plus+ a 5 across the board.

I’ve only been taking the supplements for 2 weeks but have noticed a drastic change in my digestive system and reduced bloating. I’m a healthy person who eats well and exercises a lot (I teach fitness classes 3-6x/week on top of my regular FT job). I’m also experiencing reduced issues with my hormones due to maturity which has been a major issue the last few years. So far, I am extremely happy with Juice Plus and plan to continue on the regimen.

But not everyone was thrilled. “Mooseslayer,” a 19- to 24-year-old woman gave Juice Plus+ a 1-star rating, saying simply, “Noticed no difference and it cost way too much.”

“Katrina,” a 35- to 44-year-old woman, rated it a five.

I’ve been taking it for 3 months, lost 21 pounds, have a lot of energy, sleep better at night, stopped bloating acne cleared up, less painful periods, no more shoulder pain from doing repetitive work every day. I wish I’ve known about it sooner.

And a number, in particular, did not buy into the Juice Plus+ science. Jen, a 35- to 44-year-old woman rated its effectiveness a 1 and her overall satisfaction a 2.

There is no science behind any claims that Juice Plus makes. I could tell no difference after taking it for months. If you will do a little research, you will find that it only provides 4 (yes 4) vitamins. The popularity of this product is just further proof that the placebo effect is alive and well.

Is Juice Plus+ Worth a Try?

Yes. There’s nothing I don’t like about Juice Plus+ from the concept to the execution. And what may seal the deal for consumers is there are 30 fruits and vegetables in Juice Plus+, many considered superfoods. If you were going to purchase all these fruits and vegetables and attempt to get your family to eat them all…good luck. Not to mention the cost and possible waste. But, if you are looking for even more nutrient-dense options, take a look at this curated list of superfood supplements that outperform Juice Plus

Another multi-level marketing (MLM) company, Juice Plus+ uses that platform where distributors may earn money from selling Juice Plus+, and more money when they recruit new sellers. The Juice Plus+ virtual office is where distributors meet to do business.

Here’s the thing: any MLM business may draw naysayers and criticism, and I am one of those. But—and this is an important but—aside from the business aspect of this product line, I boil it all down to the basics: fruits and veggies are really good for you, and if you don’t eat enough your health may be affected. If you can afford these supplements, why not go for it?