Juice Plus Pros & Cons & my own Juice Plus Trial as a Dietitian

Juice Plus Pros & Cons & my own Juice Plus Trial as a Dietitian

Written by a registered dietitian and mom of three with 20+ years of experience in pediatric nutrition.

Many families ask whether Juice Plus actually works, whether it replaces vegetables, and if it’s worth the high price. Here’s my evidence-based take after reviewing the research and trying it with my own family.

What is Juice Plus?

Juice Plus is a multi-level. marketing company (or “network marketing” company). This might lead you to think Juice Plus is a scam. Are their claims true? Maybe. And Maybe.

The Juice Plus slogan is: “The next best thing to fruits and vegetables.”

Indeed, North Americans don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables. The most commonly consumed vegetable is potatoes. There’s nothing wrong with potatoes, but French fries don’t quite compare in nutrition to kale, berries or oranges.

Juice Plus contains dried ingredient powders from 30 fruits, veggies and berries (capsules or chews) in Garden Blend, Orchard Blend and Vineyard Blend. To “bridge the gap,” they say.

Here is my take on the benefits and risks of Juice Plus.

Pros of Juice Plus:

1) One significant advantage of Juice Plus is that it is just fruits and veggies, with no isolated vitamins and minerals. Food phytochemicals work together, and you can’t add them all to a traditional vitamin and mineral supplement. Because of this, I like the idea of a ‘whole food supplement’.

2) Juice Plus also has an impressive amount of quality research studies to support that the antioxidants are absorbed, reduce oxidative stress, help cardiovascular health and support healthy skin and gums.

I did hear that research was underway on its benefits during pregnancy, but I can’t seem to find any results, which might mean they weren’t favourable. If you know of something different, please comment below!

3) It’s not a substitute for eating fruits or veggies, nor does it claim to be. But Juice Plus could provide worried parents with some comfort for a child who does not like fresh fruits or veggies (ok – it’s almost always vegetables!).

It doesn’t get you out of the parental responsibility of continuing to offer your child vegetables. But your child chooses not to eat them; at least you can be confident they are getting some vegetable powder in Juice Plus.

A kid’s multivitamin containing iron might be more beneficial depending on your child’s diet, but have a dietitian review it to make sure if you are concerned.

Cons of Juice Plus:

1) Unlike a more comprehensive multivitamin, you may need to take additional essential nutrients as supplements. Such as iron, Omega 3, vitamin D and folic acid, depending on your diet, life stage and health concerns.

2) You have to order in 4-month increments. And both the Orchard and Garden Blends. You can’t just order the veggie (Garden) blend if you think you or your child eats plenty of fruit but not enough veggies. They get automatically shipped unless you cancel, too, which seems a bit scammy.

3) The kid’s gummy chews are sugary. I worry that although Juice Plus claims to strengthen gums and teeth, the sugar and stickiness of the chews will override this and lead to cavities! If you offer your child gummy multivitamins, make sure to serve them with a meal or snack to help.

4) If you’re buying this for your children – that’s ok. But I would suggest focusing on the picky eating you’re struggling with so they learn to eat real vegetables, not just supplements. Click here to read “Why my child is a picky eater, and what to do about it!”

Juice Plus vs Multivitamin vs Eating Real Produce

While convenient, neither Juice Plus nor a multivitamin contains the fibre that real produce does. Most of us fall short on fibre, which supports gut health and may help prevent certain cancers and Type 2 Diabetes. It’s hard to replace that!

	Juice Plus	Multivitamin	Whole fruits & vegetables

Contains fibre

❌

❌

✅

Contains phytonutrients

✅

Limited

✅

Convenient

✅

✅

Sometimes

Replaces produce

❌

❌

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My Own Juice Plus Trial:

There are many testimonials about feeling more energy, sleeping better, and having healthier teeth and gums…I didn’t notice any health effects.

However, I have a reasonably healthy diet and lifestyle to start with. And I was not measuring my blood antioxidant levels or DNA damage. So maybe it was still working at a cellular level?!

I took 2 Garden and 2 Orchard Blend capsules daily, as directed. The capsules were a bit large and sometimes got stuck in my throat. I suppose this encourages them to drink more water! Or you can break them up and put the powder in a smoothie, yogurt, or oatmeal.

I have also fed my kids the Juice Plus Chews for months. My 2-year-old daughter spat them out about half the time, but my 6-year-old son loved them.  My son is rarely ever sick and doesn’t often catch his little sister’s colds! I’m unsure if this is due to Juice Plus, but it could play a small role.

Bottom line from a dietitian:

Juice Plus may be helpful for some families. It is not a replacement for produce, and it’s expensive. Continue working on food variety, instead of relying on supplements

Frequently Asked Questions About Juice Plus

Is Juice Plus a scam or a legitimate product?

Juice Plus is a real supplement made from concentrated fruit and vegetable powders. It’s sold through a network marketing model, which can make some people cautious. While there are published studies on the product, many are funded by the company. Whether someone feels it is “worth it” usually comes down to expectations, budget, and how it fits into their overall diet.

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Does Juice Plus replace eating fruits and vegetables?

No. Whole produce provides fibre, water, and thousands of beneficial plant compounds that simply can’t be replicated in a capsule or gummy. Supplements may add nutrients, but they shouldn’t be viewed as a substitute for regularly offering and eating real foods.

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Is Juice Plus worth the money?

That depends on what you hope it will do. If someone is expecting dramatic improvements in energy, immunity, or overall health, they may be disappointed. If the goal is adding a small amount of extra plant intake as “nutrition insurance,” some families feel comfortable with the cost.

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Do dietitians recommend Juice Plus?

Opinions vary. Some appreciate the whole-food approach to delivering phytonutrients. Others prefer focusing time and money on helping families gradually increase their intake of actual fruits and vegetables. Most dietitians agree that supplements should not replace building food skills.

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Are the health claims backed by research?

Studies show improvements in certain antioxidant markers and measures of oxidative stress. Many are randomized and controlled, which is a strength. However, because funding often comes from the manufacturer, results should be interpreted thoughtfully alongside the broader body of nutrition evidence.

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Does Juice Plus help with immunity?

This study found a 20% reduction in cold symptoms in subjects taking Juice Plus. Some people report fewer illnesses while taking it, while others notice no difference. Many factors influence immune health, including sleep, stress, overall diet, and exposure to viruses, so it’s difficult to attribute changes to a single product.

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Can children take Juice Plus?

The company markets chewable versions for kids. As with any supplement, it’s wise to review a child’s overall diet and nutritional needs with a qualified healthcare professional before starting. Depending on their diet and available bloodwork, a dietitian can share tips to address gaps in nutrition with food and supplements. Often selective eaters fall low in iron.

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Are there side effects?

Most people tolerate it well. Occasionally, digestive upset or dislike of the capsule size is mentioned. Anyone with medical conditions or who takes medications should check with their healthcare provider.

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Why is Juice Plus so expensive?

Beyond manufacturing, the price reflects the sales structure, research investments, and subscription model. Some families feel the cost is manageable, while others prefer to put that money toward groceries.

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How long does it take to notice benefits?

Testimonials vary widely. Some people expect changes within weeks, while measurable outcomes in research studies are usually tracked over months. And not everyone will perceive obvious effects at all.