JuicePlus vegetable+fruit capsules... worth it?

Nutrition Q&A [Moderated]
1

Waddup BBM crew,

I’m a 22 year old male at 6’0" 180 lbs (just for context). Since starting my novice LP (~2.5 months ago), my obvious dietary focuses have been on adequate protein/caloric intake. However, for a majority of my life, fruit+vegetable intake has not been a primary focus, although I do like most of them, so taste isn’t the issue. They’re just a hassle to incorporate when I have to focus on eating so much protein and other carbohydrates. I know you all have talked extensively on not taking in supplements that aren’t measured to be low via lab results, and given my age and relative “healthiness,” I would say my vitamin levels aren’t terribly low, despite my lack of fruit/vegetable intake. However, I want to be as healthy as possible, and I know fruits and vegetables would play a vital role in anti-oxidation, cardiovascular health, fiber, etc. in the long run. So here’s my question:

Would a daily fruit+vegetable supplement like JuicePlus be worth it for someone like me? These daily capsules are supposed to cover the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables, and multiple scholarly articles have shown their role in the improvement of beta-carotene, lycopene, alpha-tocopherol, serum folate, and plasma homocysteine. Hit me with some knowledge and your thoughts, please!!

2

Clay,

A few things:

  1. You are unlikely to be vitamin deficient regardless of fruit and vegetable matter intake. Hopefully you haven’t had these checked, as there is no point in doing so.
  2. JuicePlus-type products are not advised and do not tend to yield the same benefits as eating fruits and vegetables.
  3. There is no reason to “improve” beta carotene, lycopene, alpha-tocopherol, etc. levels without associated clinical context. This is especially true for homocysteine levels, even in cases of MTHFR mutations.
  4. I would advise you to skip the juice plus, eat fruits and vegetables daily (you’re an adult now!) and swap out our beginner program for LP so you don’t waste a bunch of time.

-Jordan

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