Why Korean Doctors Avoid Fruit Juice Every Morning

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Korean Reading Practice
Why Korean Doctors Avoid Fruit Juice Every Morning
Date: October 07, 2026

Introduction

This article examines the metabolic consequences of fruit juice consumption, drawing on expert medical opinion and recent nutritional research. Korean health professionals warn that the processing of fruit into juice significantly alters how the body absorbs sugars, with particular risks during morning consumption. The text explores why whole fruit differs fundamentally from its processed form and what breakfast composition experts recommend instead.

Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
섭취하다 seopchwihada to consume, to intake 과도한 설탕을 섭취하면 건강에 해롭다.Excessive sugar intake is harmful to health.
혈당 hyeoldang blood sugar, blood glucose 혈당이 급격히 상승했다.Blood sugar spiked rapidly.
식이섬유 sigiseomyu dietary fiber 식이섬유가 풍부한 음식을 먹어야 한다.One should eat foods rich in dietary fiber.
과당 gwadang fructose 과당의 빠른 흡수는 간에 부담을 준다.Rapid fructose absorption strains the liver.
흡수되다 heupsudoeda to be absorbed 영양분이 빠르게 흡수된다.Nutrients are absorbed rapidly.
대사 daesa metabolism 간의 대사 부담이 증가했다.The metabolic burden on the liver increased.
지방간 jibanggan fatty liver 지방간 질환은 심각한 건강 문제이다.Fatty liver disease is a serious health problem.
착즙하다 chakjeuphada to press, to juice (extract by pressing) 과일을 착즙하면 섬유질이 제거된다.When fruit is pressed, fiber is removed.
정제 탄수화물 jeongje tansuhwamul refined carbohydrates 정제 탄수화물을 피해야 한다.One should avoid refined carbohydrates.
십자화과 채소 sipjahwagwa chaeso cruciferous vegetables 십자화과 채소는 영양가가 높다.Cruciferous vegetables are highly nutritious.
우려하다 uryeohada to warn, to express concern 전문가들은 과일 음료의 위험성을 우려했다.Experts warned about the dangers of fruit beverages.
양질의 yangjirui high-quality, of good quality 양질의 지방 섭취가 중요하다.Consumption of quality fats is important.

Reading Text

과일을 착즙하거나 갈아서 만든 과일 음료는 과일에 함유된 식이섬유의 약 90퍼센트를 제거하는 과정을 거치게 된다.

Fruit juice, whether pressed or blended, undergoes a process that removes approximately 90 percent of the dietary fiber contained in the fruit.

섬유질이 제거되면 과당이 혈류에 빠르게 흡수되어 혈당이 급격히 상승하게 되는데, 이러한 급속한 흡수는 간의 대사 부담을 증가시키며 지방간 질환으로 이어질 수 있다고 알려져 있다.

When fiber is removed, fructose is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, causing blood sugar to spike sharply; this swift absorption increases the metabolic burden on the liver and can lead to fatty liver disease, according to medical understanding.

닥터리 가정의학과의원의 원장인 가정의학과 전문의 이진복은 유튜브 채널 '굿라이프'에서 과일 음료뿐만 아니라 시리얼, 프렌치프라이, 아이스크림 등 정제 탄수화물과 첨가 당분이 많은 식품을 섭취하지 않는다고 밝혔다.

Family medicine specialist Lee Jin-bok, director of Doctor Lee Family Medicine Clinic, stated on YouTube channel "Good Life" that he avoids not only fruit juice but also refined carbohydrates and foods high in added sugars such as cereal, french fries, and ice cream.

한편 서울아산병원의 내분비내과 교수인 우창윤은 '장동선의 궁금한 뇌' 채널에서 아침 시간대에 착즙한 과일을 섭취하는 것이 특히 해로우며, 그 이유는 아침이 영양분의 빠른 흡수가 일어나는 시간대이기 때문이라고 경고했다.

Endocrinology specialist Woo Chang-yoon, professor at Seoul Asan Hospital, warned on YouTube channel "Jang Dong-seon's Curious Brain" that consuming blended fruit in the morning is particularly harmful because the morning is a time when rapid nutrient absorption occurs.

우창윤 교수는 착즙한 과일 섭취를 알코올 섭취에 비유했으며, 알코올을 마신 다음 날 착즙한 과일을 마시는 것은 간에 미치는 부담이 가장 심각하다고 설명했다.

Professor Woo compared the consumption of blended fruit to alcohol consumption and explained that drinking blended fruit the day after consuming alcohol places the most severe strain on the liver.

2024년 1월에 노스캐롤라이나대의 영양학 연구진이 '영양학회지'에 발표한 연구에 따르면, 착즙하거나 간 과일은 통째로 먹은 과일에 비해 더 많은 양의 과당이 더 빠르게 소비되며, 이는 비만과 고콜레스테롤혈증으로 이어질 수 있다고 밝혔다.

According to a January 2024 study by nutrition researchers at the University of North Carolina published in the journal "Nutrition Journal," blended or pressed fruit results in greater quantities of fructose being consumed more rapidly compared to whole fruit, and this can lead to obesity and high cholesterol.

영양 전문가들은 아침 식사가 단백질, 양질의 지방, 그리고 십자화과 채소 같은 식이섬유가 풍부한 미정제 식품으로 구성되어야 하며, 정제 탄수화물과 첨가 당분은 피해야 한다고 권장하고 있다.

Nutrition experts recommend that breakfast should consist of protein, quality fats, and unrefined foods rich in dietary fiber such as cruciferous vegetables, while avoiding refined carbohydrates and added sugars.

Grammar Points

-게 되다 come to / end up

Attached to a verb stem to express a change of state or an outcome that comes about naturally; '-(으)면서 되다' → '-게 되다'.

📖 섬유질이 제거되면 과당이 혈류에 빠르게 흡수되어 혈당이 급격히 상승하게 되는데, 이러한 급속한 흡수는 간의 대사 부담을 증가시키며 지방간 질환으로 이어질 수 있다고 알려져 있다. When fiber is removed, fructose is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and blood sugar rises sharply, and it is known that this rapid absorption increases the metabolic burden on the liver and can lead to fatty liver disease.

✏️ 한국에서 살다 보니 한국어를 잘하게 되었어요. Having lived in Korea, I came to speak Korean well.

Cultural Notes

Korean health culture places significant emphasis on preventive medicine and detailed nutritional awareness, with many Koreans consulting specialized medical professionals on YouTube for accessible health education. This reflects a broader Korean cultural pattern of seeking expert guidance for everyday wellness decisions and a trust in medical authority that extends into popular media. Additionally, Korean breakfast traditions have historically emphasized whole grains, vegetables, and protein-rich side dishes (반찬), making the modern shift toward convenience foods like juice and cereal a notable dietary change that health professionals actively address.

Topics are inspired by current events in Korea. All lessons are original learning content written by Learn Korean Today.
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📝 Comprehension Questions

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Q1

According to the text, what percentage of a fruit's dietary fiber is removed when the fruit is blended or pressed?

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Q2

Why does Professor Woo Chang-yoon specifically warn against consuming blended fruit in the morning?

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Q3

What comparison did Professor Woo make between blended fruit consumption and another substance, and what did he say about combining them?

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Q4

What did the January 2024 University of North Carolina study conclude about the difference between blended fruit and whole fruit?

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Q5

According to nutrition experts, what three main components should breakfast include instead of refined carbohydrates?

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