MonaVie vs. The Red Delicious Apple

The following comment was left below the post I had made titled "MonaVie vs. Sambazon - A Side By Side Comparison" on our Parents Under Construction website. Click here for the link to the post and comment. This post also exists on this website as well, you can click here to read it on MonaVie Training Guide.

"Superjuices don’t come close when comparing costs for antioxidants. Example: A day’s serving of MonaVie (4 oz.) is $7.20 ($45/bottle) or as low as $3.20 a day (at $20 – distributor’s cost) A single Delicious Red Apple costs about $0.75

For MonaVie,that gives you a ORAC of 2,698 umoles (29.57 ml per oz times 4 oz.times 22.81 according to AIBMR). That also gives you a total phenolics (all antioxidants) for the day, of 175 mg. for 4 oz.

The 22.81 ORAC and 1.48 mg phenolics are from the MonaVie-sponsored study by AIBMR Life Sciences.

Now compare it to a SINGLE Red Delicious Apple. Average weight 150 gms.
Total ORAC per apple: 6,413 umoles. (42.75 umoles times 150 gms)
Total phenolics (total antioxidants): 520 mg per apple. Apple data from USDA ORAC Table of Selected Foods – 2007

SUMMARY: ORAC: MonaVie: 2,698 Apple: 6,413
PHENOLICS: MonaVie: 175 mg Apple: 520 mg
COST: MonaVie: $3.20 to $7.20 per day Apple: $0.75/day"

In response to this comment, I just went straight to MonaVie's Product Support Department. Who better to respond to the question than MonaVie directly? The rest of this post is the direct response from MonaVie to the statement made above:

"The variety of the fruits in MonaVie has been chosen for their distinct nutritional assets. Açai, our star ingredient, is one of the world's most powerful antioxidants (Schauss, et al. Antioxidant Capacity and Other Bioactivities of the Freeze-Dried Amazonian Palm Berry, Euterpe oleraceae Mart. (Açai) J. Agric. Food Chem. 2006, 54, 8604-10) but is hard to come by outside the Amazon. In addition to acai, there are 18 additional body-beneficial fruits. Many of these exotic fruits cannot simply be picked up at your local supermarket. The cost of individually purchasing all of the fruits would be far greater than the cost of a bottle of MonaVie juice.

Phytonutrients are concentrated in the skins of many fruits and vegetables, and are responsible for their color, hue, scent, and flavor. It is the variety and content of phytonutrients—sometimes called phytochemicals—from the 19 fruits in MonaVie which make our juices so valuable. An added bonus of consuming a variety of fruits is a rich supply of Phytonutrients. Many of these phytonutrients provide significant health benefits. Phytonutrients are very powerful antitoxins. These substances will neutralize free radicals which can be detrimental to the body. When free radicals build up, they can give rise to premature aging. Considerable research has been focused on phytochemicals and their role in maintaining good health and well being those who consume them regularly.

Each fruit in MonaVie provides its own unique profile of phytonutrients not found in any other fruit. For example, grapes have resveratrol, which studies indicate may reduce the risk of certain chronic conditions, but they lack the unique phytonutrients found in acai, such as plant sterols, which have been shown to support heart health. A raw apple does have a small amount of essential fatty acids, but it has significantly less when compared to the acai berry. An apple is also void of plant sterols. In other words, simply eating an apple a day will only give you the nutrients specific to an apple. The complementary and synergistic blend of phytonutrients found in MonaVie would be impossible to find in a single fruit, vegetable, or other blended beverage.

Information on phytonutrient content cannot be added to a nutrition fact sheet or label since the RDA (or Recommended Dietary Allowance) for phytonutrients has yet to be determined. It will likely take many years for scientists to unravel the important effect of the myriad of phytochemicals found in foods. At this time, experts are suggesting that the most reliable way to obtain the phytonutrients necessary to promote good health, is by supplementing your diet with phytonutrient rich foods, such as MonaVie.

Common fruit juice found in grocery stores may have some nutritional value, however they also typically have a considerable amount of added sugar compared to MonaVie, which has no added sugar. Additionally, most supermarket juices are clarified. Clarification involves the removal of fats, fibers and other beneficial nutrients, which are the basis of MonaVie’s advantage over the competition. Through clarification the end product is stripped of a good portion of beneficial fats and other nutrients. With clarification, artificial colors and flavors are sometimes added to maintain product consistency. There may be some benefits to doing this for the manufacturing company, but the end product is nutritionally compromised. Maintaining the açai berry’s nutritional content is what makes MonaVie a superior product.

ORAC is a way to measure the antioxidant capacity of a food. Foods with high ORAC values are desirable for their ability to inhibit free radical activity. The ORAC measurement was developed by a scientist at the National Institute of Aging in 1992 and has proven to be a valuable tool in quantifying health benefits associated with consuming fruits, vegetables, and other antioxidant-containing foods and supplements.

ORAC is an excellent indicator of a substance’s ability to fight free radicals; however, it is just an indicator. The strength of an antioxidant in terms of how it can benefit your body cannot be measured by ORAC alone. If something tests high in an ORAC test, which is an in-vitro laboratory test, it does not necessarily mean it will have the same effect to fight free radicals inside the human body or in-vivo. For example, plant extracts which are commonly used in other juice blends, are not used in MonaVie—only whole fruits and juices are used. Plant extracts can cause a high ORAC reading in a test tube but there is very little scientific evidence that extracts derived from fruits will work equally as well in the body as whole fruits and juices.

To determine a product’s true antioxidant ability, it is necessary to conduct both in-vivo and clinical (human) studies. According to a study recently published (Jensen et al. In Vitro and in Vivo Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Capacities of an Antioxidant-Rich Fruit and Berry Juice Blend. Results of a Pilot and Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study, J. Agric. Food Chem., 2008, 56 (18), pp 8326–8333), individuals who drank MonaVie had an increase in the amount antioxidants and a decrease in the effects of free radicals. This study also identifies a variety of phytonutrients in the MonaVie blend. The studies can be viewed by visiting www.monavie.com/science.

This level of validation cannot be expressed in terms of an ORAC value. Additionally, the benefits of phytonutrients cannot be measured by ORAC alone since many of them provide benefits in addition to antioxidant protection.

Below is a description of each of the fruits in the MonaVie blends. The Phytonutrients in each of the fruits are highlighted.


Açai

Açai is a small, round, dark-purple berry with amazing nutritional properties. Its appearance is similar to that of a grape, but it has a smaller amount of pulp and a single large seed. Experts have referred to the açai berry as the most nutritious and powerful food in the world. Açai is rich in phytonutrients that include anthocyanins, phytosterols, catechin, cyanidin, quercetin, and plant sterols.


White Grape

The ancestors of modern grapes are all red; white grapes, however, have ancient origins. Although they are called “white” grapes, they actually have a green hue. White grapes contain beneficial polyphenol antioxidants, such as resveratrol and catechins.


Apple

The traditional apple being added to MonaVie is both delicious and nutritious. Apples are rich in antioxidant polyphenols and phlorizin—a body-beneficial phytonutrient.


Acerola

A bright red, soft, and juicy fruit, acerola has been eaten for centuries by the natives of the Antilles, Central America, and Northern South America. Also called the Barbados cherry, acerola is known for having high concentrations of ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, acting as an antioxidant and a natural preservative.


Aronia

Also known as the chokeberry, aronia is a glossy, bluish-black or red fruit with a slightly bitter to pleasantly sweet flavor. Because of its dark pigment, aronia is high in anthocyanins, a polyphenol antioxidant. Native to Eastern North America, aronia contains many other types of antioxidants and has a high concentration of vitamin C.


Purple Grape

Purple grapes belong to the Vitaceae family and are grown and harvested worldwide. They are abundant in cardio-friendly antioxidants such as anthocyanins, ellagic acid, and resveratrol.


Cranberry

Native to North America, this dark red, tart berry is packed with nutrients, including potent antioxidant flavonoids and other polyphenolic compounds.


Cupuaçu

This fruit originates in the south and southeastern parts of the Brazilian Amazon. It is strong and pleasant smelling, known for its volatile aroma. The endocarp is white and soft, the pulp having a sour and highly-flavored taste. The fruit contains essential fatty acids, such as Omega 3 and 6 as well as a unique type of polyphenols called theograndins.


Passion Fruit

Passion fruit is commercially important to Brazil. Native to tropical regions of South America, with a color ranging from yellow to purple, this round to oval-shaped fruit has soft to firm juice sacs inside. It is rich in body beneficial antioxidant carotenoids.


Prune

Prunes and their "juice" contain phytonutrients such as quercetin and dietary fiber which contributes to good digestive health. Prunes also contain essential vitamins and minerals.


Kiwi

Originally known as the Chinese gooseberry, kiwi is a rich source of vitamins and potassium. The skin is a good source of flavonoid antioxidants.


Blueberry

Blueberries have a diverse range of nutrients with notably high levels of manganese, vitamin C, vitamin K, and dietary fiber. Especially in wild species, blueberries contain anthocyanins, other antioxidant pigments, and various phytochemicals.


Pomegranate

Pomegranate is a good source of vitamins, potassium, and antioxidant polyphenols. Some pomegranate polyphenols have been shown to have potent free-radical scavenging properties. Many pomegranate phytonutrients have cardio-protective properties.


Lychee

Lychee is a tropical fruit, which grows primarily in Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Northern part of India. It is rich in vitamin C, potassium, and copper. Lychee fruit may be good for digestive health. Research has also shown that lychee fruit has many health protective phytonutrients.


Camu Camu

A low-growing shrub found throughout the Amazon, camu camu is round and red when young and dark purple when ripe. These fruits are about the size of lemons and contain a significant amount of vitamin C.


Pear

Originally from Europe and Asia, pears have a soft, buttery, and somewhat grainy texture. The white to cream-colored flesh of pears was once referred to as the “gift of the gods.” Juicy and sweet, pears may help promote cardiovascular and colon health. The phytonutrients in pears include catechin, and quercetin.


Banana

Bananas are typically grown in the humid, tropical region of South America and have very beneficial nutritional properties. They are a good source of vitamins and other nutrients including fiber and potassium. Some of the phytonutrients in bananas include alpha-carotene, gallocatechin, cyanidin, delphinidin, and leucoyanidin.


Bilberry

Bilberry is a perennial shrub, reddish purple in color and native to Northern Europe and North America. Bilberries are high in substances called flavonoids, which are found in many fruits and vegetables and are particularly abundant in citrus fruits and berries. Bilberry flavonoids are associated with good vision and eye function.


Wolfberry

Wolfberry is also known as the goji berry, dubbed a superfruit for its nutrient content and antioxidant capacity. Wolfberry contains polysaccharides, anthocyanidins and resveratrol. Almost half of all the harvested wolfberries come from China. With a nutty taste, the wolfberry is used as dried fruit; pulp and powders for juice; and in tea, wine, coffee, soups, and other various meal dishes."