We’ve all heard the saying, “The only thing constant in life is change.” And most of the time, that’s true. But at Juice Plus+, our foundational health approach that elevates the importance of fruits and vegetables breaks the mold.
As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of our Juice Plus+ Essentials Fruit & Vegetable Blend Capsules, we’re also celebrating something that has stayed the same for decades. Fads and trends have come and gone, but for us it’s all about the rich nutrients that come from fruits and vegetables.
To get a look behind the curtain at the history of two key products at Juice Plus+, we talked with Liza Pepple, Senior Director, Global Product Development, to see how they bring our foundational health approach to life. Let’s get started!
Perfecting Our Juice Plus+ Blends
Today, the Juice Plus+ Essentials Fruit & Vegetable Blends help millions get the nutrients they need, and the pursuit of better ingredients and nutrients never stops.
“What’s so great about Juice Plus+ is that we do change a bit over the years,” says Pepple. “To me the approach is consistent, but that doesn’t mean that we’re stagnant,” she says. “We’re constantly looking for the next best ingredient to improve a manufacturing technique or add more nutritional value.”
For example, the original formula for the Juice Plus+ Essentials Fruit Blend contained papaya. But genetic modifications became necessary for papaya plants to prevent viruses that could decimate entire crops.
“We didn’t want to have GMOs in our products, so we switched to mango,” Pepple notes. The dedication to keeping their products non-GMO showed that Juice Plus+ kept their approach the same—even if the particular ingredients had to change.
“We’ve replaced folic acid with lemon peel extract, which is much more natural,” Pepple mentions. “We’ve also begun to use acerola cherry extract to replace added vitamin C and a mixed carotenoid blend instead of only beta carotene.”
Juice Plus+ Essentials: Back to the Beginning
Since our start in 1970 we’ve aspired to help anyone improve their health, and we now serve in over 25 countries around the world.
In 1992, the formulation for the Juice Plus+ Essentials Fruit & Vegetable Blend Capsules we know today was conceived, based on classic health advice we’ve heard around dinner tables for years: “Eat your fruits and vegetables.” It can be challenging to get enough fruits and vegetables on the plate, though, so the capsules were intended to bridge the gap between what we all should eat—and what we realistically do eat—in a day.
Production of this initial formula began in 1993, and clinical research behind the products began shortly after in 1994. The company prioritized clinical research on Juice Plus+ products from the start and began with the initial formula, which included real fruits and vegetables and some additional vitamins that were already present in the natural ingredients. Proud to gain proven backing of their products’ efficacy, Juice Plus+ saw their first clinical research published in 1995.
Adapting Juice Plus+ Products and Our Process
The beginnings of the Juice Plus+ Essentials Fruit & Vegetable Capsules established a critical health approach that has remained the same over the past three decades. To ensure that approach is effective, though, requires consistent research and development.
For example, Pepple remembers a key shift that occurred in the late 1990s. As government regulations on juice changed, Juice Plus+ reconsidered their approach to manufacturing. Originally, the capsules were formed from dried juice. However, new pasteurization requirements would cause some heat-sensitive nutrients to be reduced during that process.
The Juice Plus+ team found the best way to pack each capsule with nutrients was to puree whole fruits and vegetables, keeping the pulp and juice intact. This turned out to improve the formula even more—and it’s how they approach manufacturing today. It helps ensure that those who take Juice Plus+ get the best nutrition possible through every step of the process—from ingredient sourcing to manufacturing.
Ready to Get Started With Juice Plus+ Essentials?
When it comes down to it, fruits and vegetables are the foundation of any healthy diet—and Juice Plus+ has understood that from the start. From a starting formula that dates back to 1993 to today’s shift to a new leader, the company’s approach hasn’t changed.
We’ve got all the information you need to get started with our Juice Plus+ Essentials Fruit & Vegetable Blend Capsules. Dig in to learn more here.