Unfiltered Apple Juice
Also known as: cloudy apple
Cloudy/unfiltered apple juice contains higher levels of polyphenols (chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, procyanidins) and dietary fiber than clear juice, with associated benefits on oxidative stress and lipid markers. However, like any fruit juice it provides ~100 g/L of fructose plus glucose with limited fiber, so frequent or large servings contribute substantial added/free sugar to the diet.
What it is
Apple juice that has not been clarified or filtered, retaining suspended fruit solids (cloudy juice).
Beverage and ingredient; retains higher polyphenol content than filtered juice.
Why it's flagged
- high natural sugar content (free sugars per WHO)
- low satiety vs whole fruit
- patulin contamination if mold-affected apples used
What regulators actually say
"Apple polyphenols have been shown to prevent lung tissue damage from smoking through antioxidant effects and could decrease low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation."
"Unfiltered (cloudy) apple juice has a higher content in dietary fibers and phytochemicals compared to clear apple juice."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
Whole-food beverage; FDA enforces patulin maximum level of 50 ug/kg in apple juice (CPG Sec 510.150)
European Union — EFSA
Whole food; sugar-content labelling required
Scan it before you buy it
Get Ube on iOS or Android — point at any barcode, see what's actually in there.
Get the app