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, one 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 key 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 her team brings 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 reach their nutritional goals, and our 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 20 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 nutrition advice we’ve heard around dinner tables for years: “eat your fruits and vegetables.” To support your daily health, the capsules were intended to bridge the gap between what we all should eat—and what we do eat—in a day.
Production of this initial formula began in 1993 in the US, and was implemented in the EU a year later—the same year clinical research began on our products. We prioritized clinical research on Juice Plus+ products starting 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 our products’ efficacy, we saw our first clinical research published in 1995.
Adapting Juice Plus+ Products and Our Process
The beginnings of the Juice Plus+ Essentials Fruit & Vegetable Capsules laid the foundation for a key health and nutrition-focused 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 U.S. government regulations on juice changed, we reconsidered our 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. To streamline production, this new process was extended to all global markets.
Our team found that the best way to help preserve the nutritional value of our ingredients 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 we 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 we’ve understood this from the start. From a formula that dates back to 1993 to today’s shift to a new leader, our approach hasn’t changed.
We’ve got all the information you need to get started with our Juice Plus+ Essentials Fruit & Vegetable Blend Capsules. Click here to learn or purchase yours Click here to learn more or purchase yours.