Benefits from 'super juices' debatable

New reasearch suggests that consumers should be sceptical about some of the health benefit claims of so called "Super juices".

Goji juice, made from berries of the goji or wolfberry tree, is one of the newest products to gain popularity here.

But research from Australian consumer watchdog Choice shows some goji juice products - which can cost up to $85 a litre - contain just 10 per cent of the antioxidants found in a red delicious apple.

Antioxidants may protect against damage caused by free radicals, which can lead to cancer.

The New South Wales Food Authority is examining claims by some Australian and New Zealand distributors of goji juice and other drinks, including mangosteen and Tahitian noni juice, that they could help treat diseases such as cancer, diabetes and drug addictions.

In New Zealand the Ministry of Health is investigating one juice company over whether its internet claims breach the Medicines Act, which makes it illegal for companies to claim therapeutic benefits in products unless the item is registered as a medicine.

Most super juices are sold through multi-level marketing companies. Customers buy the products on the internet and, in some cases, only after joining a distribution network.

Some have claimed goji juice is "the greatest natural source of antioxidants on the planet".

But Choice media spokesman Christopher Zinn told the Sunday Star-Times its interest was piqued by the many companies touting superjuices and some making outlandish claims about their products' effectiveness.

He said he had originally considered labelling such companies as "snake oil merchants" but decided that was too extreme because superjuices were just as good for people as any fresh juice.

In New Zealand, Medsafe and the Food Safety Authority have both warned companies against making unsubstantiated claims about their superjuices in the past year.

Diane Robinson, spokeswoman for the authority, said among those warned were companies advertising in Tongan newspapers. Most companies had since removed their claims about it curing cancer or treating other diseases.

Rob Burlison, a distributor for Freelife, one of the biggest Himalayan goji juice suppliers, said it was good to drink for its polysaccharide levels - complex carbohydrates - not just its antioxidants.

Burlison said his mother, who suffers clinical depression, had found drinking goji juice had improved her energy and circulation.

He found it was better to drink goji juice than eat lots of vitamin supplements but said he was careful about making health claims about the juice to customers.

Medsafe compliance team leader Derek Fitzgerald said it was investigating one company about its promotion over superjuices, but would not divulge details.

People should be reasonably sceptical about products, especially when they were expensive, he said.

"If it really is a good thing that cures or prevents important diseases, it's probably not going to be available through a marketer on the internet or someone giving a presentation at the local community hall. It's probably going to be available from a pharmacy or on prescription from your doctor."

With additional reporting by Sydney Morning Herald.

- © Fairfax NZ News