Auerbach BJ, et al. - This study investigated if consumption of 100% fruit juice versus whole fruit is associated with increased risk of hypertension or diabetes in postmenopausal women in the United States. No significant association of consuming moderate amounts of 100% fruit juice or whole fruit with the risk of hypertension or diabetes was reported.

Methods

• Researchers analyzed postmenopausal women in the United States enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative between 1993 and 1998.  
• They assessed whole fruit and 100% fruit juice intake by baseline food frequency questionnaire.
• Using standardized questionnaires, they assessed outcomes every 6–12 months during a mean 7.8 years of follow-up.
• Cox regression estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for incident hypertension (n = 36,314 incident cases/80,539 total participants) and diabetes (n = 11,488 incident cases/114,219 total participants).

Results

• In multivariable analyses, it was demonstrated that there was no significant association comparing the highest to lowest quintiles of 100% fruit juice consumption (8 oz/day compared to none) and incident hypertension (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.97–1.03) or diabetes (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.90–1.03).
• Researchers found no significant association between whole fruit consumption (2.4 servings/day compared to 0.3 servings/day) and incident hypertension (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.98–1.05) or diabetes (HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.96–1.10).