Alia Bhatt’s nutritionist says fruit juice is largely 'sugary water', not a substitute for whole fruit

Post by : Saif Nasser

Celebrity dietitian Dr. Siddhant Bhargava, who advises stars including Alia Bhatt, Ananya Panday and Sara Ali Khan, has criticised the common belief that fruit juices are inherently healthy. He says many juices deliver little real nutrition and amount to what he describes as “sugary water” compared with eating whole fruits.

In a recent post on social media, Dr. Bhargava wrote, “Fruits are beneficial, but once stripped of fibre, vitamins and minerals they turn into little more than sugar water.” He warned that replacing whole fruits with commercial or filtered juices is a mistaken practice and stressed that juice cannot replicate the complete nutritional profile of intact fruit.

Dr. Bhargava highlighted the role of fruit fibre in moderating sugar absorption and preventing sharp rises in blood glucose. When fruit is juiced, the fibre is largely removed, allowing sugars to be absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream — a pattern that can have detrimental effects over time.

He added that processing, heat and exposure to air during juicing reduce vitamin and mineral levels. “What remains is coloured, sugary liquid that can create the false impression of healthfulness,” he said, describing much of the marketing of fruit juice as a wellness product as misleading.

Medical professionals and nutrition experts generally concur that consuming whole fruits is preferable to drinking juice. Whole fruits such as apples, oranges, papayas and bananas supply natural fibre that aids digestion and prolongs satiety. By contrast, many packaged juices contain added sugars and preservatives that may contribute to weight gain and other health issues.

Dr. Bhargava urged simple habit changes: “If you want fruit, eat it rather than drink it,” he advised. He recommended choosing seasonal produce in its natural form to obtain the full complement of vitamins, minerals and fibre the body needs.

Experts warn that habitual consumption of fruit juices, particularly commercial varieties, can increase the risk of obesity, diabetes and dental problems. Unlike whole fruits, juices are less filling, which can lead consumers to ingest larger quantities and a higher total sugar load.

The nutritionist’s comments have attracted wide attention online, with many users agreeing that fruit juice has been oversold as a health beverage. Specialists continue to recommend fresh fruits, salads and fibre-rich smoothies over store-bought or strained fruit juices.

This serves as a pragmatic health reminder: products labelled “natural” or “fruit-based” are not automatically nutritious. The simplest, most reliable choice remains consuming fruits in their whole, unprocessed form.