Scientists say they can reduce the sugar content of juice by more than two-thirds

Two years after fruit juice's health rating was halved due to high sugar content, CSIRO says it's working on technology that could lower its sugar content two-thirds.

Key Points: CSIRO claims it can reduce the sugar content of natural juice by 70% This could lead to an unhealthy star rating review for natural juice In addition to a reduction sugar, the final product has a lower GI and higher in antioxidants.

The science agency is not disclosing more information at this stage as the technology is still being developed. improvement and is looking for partners to commercialize it, but researcher Gemma Howells is excited about its potential.

Space to play or pause, M to mute , left and right arrows to search, up and down arrows for volume.What the star rating means for orange juice.

< p class="_39n3n">"It's just amazing that we've found a way to drastically reduce the sugar content of juice through a natural process."

Ms Howells said as well as a reduction in sugar, the end product had a lower glycemic index and calories and was higher in antioxidants.

"There are no additives, there are no sweeteners involved, and you can get the nutritional benefit of juice without as much sugar."< /p>Major health issue

Sugar consumption is a major health issue in Australia, and overconsumption is a major contributor to several diseases, including obesity and diabetes.

CSIRO team working on the project, Anna Tao and Gemma Howells . (Supplied: CSIRO)

Ms Howells said most people would be surprised how much sugar there was in a typical bottle of juice, with many brands containing up to nine grams of sugar per 100 milliliters.

"It may not contain added sugar, but [a 500 mL bottle] may contain up to 10 teaspoons of natural sugar."

She said the problem was at the juicing stage when the...