Choose a no-added-sugar apple-based juice drink if the labelled sugars matter more to you than having 100% juice, but check its fruit content and sweeteners. Choose 100% apple juice if you prefer pure juice and can keep to the NHS guidance of no more than 150ml of fruit juice and smoothies combined each day. After intense or prolonged exercise, neither drink replaces the carbohydrate, protein and fluids recommended by the UK Sports Institute; the NHS recommends water to replace fluid lost through activity.
If labelled sugars are a priority, compare juice drinks by serving size rather than relying on “no added sugar” alone. A juice drink may contain water, other fruit and sweetener instead of being 100% apple juice.
The UK Sports Institute advises a carbohydrate-and-protein snack and plenty of fluids after intense or prolonged exercise, followed by a meal. Apple juice can be one part of that plan, but not the whole snack.
If fruit content matters more to you than choosing a juice drink, compare the sugars on the same serving basis. NHS guidance limits fruit juice and smoothies to a combined 150ml a day.
Start with the type of drink, then compare its label on a consistent serving basis and plan food and water separately when the workout calls for them.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fruit content | Read the ingredient order and fruit percentages. Tesco Groceries lists water, 20% apple juice, 5% pear juice and sucralose for its No Added Sugar Apple & Pear Juice Drink; Tropicana UK describes Orchard Apple as 100% pressed juice. | I want to know whether I am buying pure apple juice or an apple-based drink with other ingredients. |
| Labelled sugars | Compare sugars per 100ml or for the same serving size. Tesco Groceries lists 6.9g sugars per 150ml for Growers Harvest No Added Sugar Apple Juice Drink; Tropicana UK lists 15g per 150ml for Orchard Apple. Check whether a drink contains sweetener. | Lower labelled sugars matter more to me than having 100% juice, and I am comfortable checking the ingredients. |
| Food after training | Check carbohydrate and protein separately. Tropicana UK and Copella each list 0.3g protein per 150ml for their apple juices. The UK Sports Institute recommends carbohydrate, protein and fluids after intense or prolonged exercise. | After a demanding session, I need to plan a snack or meal rather than count on juice alone. |
| Serving and fluids | The NHS advises no more than 150ml of fruit juice and smoothies combined per day and recommends water to replace fluid lost through physical activity. Check the container size before pouring. | I want a manageable juice portion and a separate drink after sweating. |
| Dilution | For cordial, compare nutrition after preparing it as directed. Ocado lists M&S Apple & Elderflower High Juice at 2.5g sugars per 250ml when diluted one part cordial to four parts water. | If I choose cordial, I want to compare the drink I will actually make with ready-to-drink options. |
The terms describe different things. Tesco Groceries lists water, apple and pear juice, and sucralose in its No Added Sugar Apple & Pear Juice Drink; Tropicana UK describes Orchard Apple as 100% pressed juice.
Read the fruit percentage and ingredients before comparing sugars on the nutrition panels.
Tropicana UK and Copella each list just 0.3g protein per 150ml of their apple juices. The UK Sports Institute recommends carbohydrate, protein and fluids after intense or prolonged exercise.
If you choose juice after such a session, plan a protein-containing snack or meal and drink water as well.
The NHS advises limiting fruit juice and smoothies to a combined 150ml a day. Sainsbury's lists 18.4g sugars in a 200ml carton of its Pure Apple Juice.
Check the pack size and pour the portion you intend to drink, even when a juice has no added sugar.
Ocado lists the 2.5g sugars per 250ml figure for M&S Apple & Elderflower High Juice after dilution, not for the cordial on its own.
Prepare it as directed—one part cordial to four parts water—before comparing a serving with another drink.
These named products illustrate different label choices; the details do not apply to every drink sold under the same brand.
Orchard Apple is a 100% pressed, not-from-concentrate apple juice, according to Tropicana UK.
Cloudy Apple is a pressed apple juice for shoppers choosing juice rather than a diluted juice drink.
Tesco No Added Sugar Apple & Pear Juice Drink is an apple-based juice drink, not 100% apple juice.
Apple & Elderflower High Juice is a cordial to prepare with water rather than a ready-to-drink apple juice.
Pure Apple Juice 6x200ml is an example of apple juice from concentrate made with 100% fruit juice.
These options include an apple-and-pear fruit water and two 100% apple juices. Check each drink's label against your preferred ingredients, serving size and plans for food after exercise.
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An apple-and-pear fruit water for shoppers considering a drink other than pure apple juice. The pack contains three 200ml cartons; check its ingredient and nutrition labels if fruit content, sweeteners or sugars are deciding factors.
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A 100% apple-juice option for shoppers who prefer juice to an apple-based juice drink. Joybuy describes it as made from water and apple juice concentrate with no added sugar. The 1L bottle needs portioning against the NHS guidance of no more than 150ml of fruit juice and smoothies combined per day.
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A lightly sparkling 100% apple juice for shoppers who want a carbonated option. The pack contains six 250ml servings; one full serving exceeds the NHS guidance of no more than 150ml of fruit juice and smoothies combined per day. Check the nutrition panel for sugars when comparing it with a juice drink.
No, not as the entire post-workout plan. The UK Sports Institute recommends carbohydrate, protein and plenty of fluids after intense or prolonged exercise, followed by a meal; Tropicana UK and Copella each list only 0.3g protein per 150ml of their apple juices.
It depends on whether you prioritise pure juice or a different sugar and ingredient profile. Tropicana UK describes Orchard Apple as 100% pressed juice and lists 15g sugars per 150ml. Tesco Groceries lists water, apple and pear juice, and sucralose in its No Added Sugar Apple & Pear Juice Drink; compare the two nutrition panels on the same serving basis.
The NHS advises limiting fruit juice and smoothies to a combined maximum of 150ml a day. Check the size of a bottle or carton rather than assuming the whole container is one portion.
No. The NHS recommends water to replace fluid lost through physical activity. If you also choose apple juice, account for it separately from the water and food you need after exercise.
Yes. Ocado lists instructions to mix one part cordial with four parts water. Its stated 2.5g sugars per 250ml applies to the diluted drink, so prepare it that way when comparing servings.