I Drank V8 For Five Days Straight And Noticed This Change
Ive always been a huge fan of vegetable juicesin fact, I start my day with celery juice every single morning. I practice a strict green juice fast every quarter or so, and Ive been known to make a pretty delicious mimosa with fresh pressed orange juice for weekend brunch.
That said, when I was asked to incorporate V8 juice into my diet for a week, I was hesitant. I love a fresh pressed veggie juice , so the idea of swapping out my fresh juices for a bottled juice I associate with Bloody Mary cocktails seemed grimat least until I did a bit of research about V8 juice.
According to a Healthline report, V8 juice is actually surprisingly nutritious. Its made from a large assortment of vegetables, including tomatoes, carrots, beets, celery, lettuce, parsley, spinach, and watercress. It also packs two servings of vegetables per glass with a huge dose of vitamins A and C, as well as potassium.
I was intrigued by the seemingly impressive health benefits-to-effort ratio so I decided to give it a go. Heres exactly what happened to my body after a week of drinking V8 juice.
Day One
I havent had V8 in years and yearsin fact, I think the last time I had a glass of V8 was in college when I was attempting to make a vegan version of a Bloody Mary. I dont remember liking it at all so as I poured my first glass I was a little nervous.
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
Day Five
What Are Some Benefits Of Drinking V8 +energy Drink
There are many benefits of the V8 +Energy Drink. Here are some:
The drink contains high amounts of Vitamin A and C, improving our immune system and maintaining healthy skin cells.
Low-sodium V8 is an excellent source of potassium because it has added Potassium Chloride to ensure that people get their daily intake goal for this nutrient without too much sodium in one serving size .
The 8 ounces also have only gram carbohydrates or 1 gram if you subtract dietary fiber from their total carbohydrate count per cup at 45 calories.
How Much Caffeine Is Healthy And Required For Different Age Limits
Its essential to drink caffeine in moderation as it can have adverse effects. The FDA suggests drinking up to 400 mg of caffeine for adults throughout the day, but if youre between 12 and 18 years old, you should only be consuming 100 mg a day.
There are instances where people under the age limit might need higher amounts of coffee or energy drinks depending on their activity level, so think about how much they truly need before giving them high caffeinated beverages.
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Spicy Hot 100% Vegetable Juice
V8 Spicy Hot 100% Vegetable Juice provides 2 servings of vegetables in every nutritious 8-ounce glass with a zesty kick taste buds will crave. And, it has 50 calories per serving.
About 6 Servings Per Container | |
Serving size | |
---|---|
72mg | 80% |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
IngredientsVegetable Juice , Salt, Vitamin C , Beta Carotene, Natural Flavoring, Citric Acid.
Pasteurized And From Concentrate

In addition to being stripped of fiber, pasteurizing the juices means bringing them to a high heat, which destroys a significant amount of the vegetables vitamins, enzymes, and other beneficial nutrients.
V8s juices are also reconstituted from concentrate, which means that the water is removed and then added back. This makes them a far cry from fresh vegetable juice to begin with. Also listed in the ingredients is the dubious natural flavoring.
Natural flavors, while derived from real food, are synthetic, highly processed chemicals that may be contaminated with up to 80 percent of incidental additives, such as propylene glycol, sodium benzoate, and glycerin. None of these additives are required to be listed in the ingredients.
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It’s A Source Of Vitamin A
Back to the benefits, another plus of consuming V8 juice is that it’s a considerable source of vitamin A. In fact, Medical News Today reports that one 8-ounce glass of V8 provides 40% of the daily recommended intake of the vitamin. Healthline explains that vitamin A actually refers to “a group of fat-soluble compounds” essential for many health processes. Some of those processes include maintaining eye health, making sure your immune system and organs are functioning properly, and aiding in fetal development.
Experts explain that it is recommended that men receive 900 micrograms per day of the vitamin, that women receive 700 micrograms, and that children receive 300-600 micrograms of vitamin A. There are two forms of vitamin A: preformed vitamin A and provitamin A. Preformed vitamin A can be found in meat, fish, and dairy products, and is ready to be used by the body exactly as it is. Provitamin A is what you would find in V8 juice, and is found in plants. The body has to work to make provitamin A available to itself, which it does in the gut. In addition to the previously mentioned benefits, vitamin A has been known to help reduce the risk of certain cancers, prevent acne, and support bone health.
Are There Other Veggie Drinks That Are Better Than V8 Original Drink
While there are many other vegetable drinks on the market, many contain fruit, which means they are typically higher in sugar. Some also contain preservatives.
“Always read the ingredients on packed fruit and vegetable juices and make sure there are no hidden ingredients,” Brod says.
To avoid hidden ingredients or ones you should or need to avoid, try making a homemade vegetable juice, or visiting a local juice bar.
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V8’s Celery Farming Dates Back 70+ Years
Of its eight primary ingredients, V8’s celery potentially has the longest and most interesting history. Over 70 years of history, to be precise.
A Campbell’s article explains the story. Back in 1880, Jake Willbrandt’s family started growing celery on a three-acre farm. Jake now owns the farm, which has expanded to 110 acres and added sweet corn to its specialties. Jake’s great-grandfather began growing the celery used in the original V8 drinks since their inception in the 1940s and continued supplying the Campbell Soup Company with celery for V8 once the brand took over.
The farm’s celery growing begins in February each year in greenhouses, moving into fields starting in mid-April. Production yields about 9 million pounds of the crop annually, with a hefty portion going straight into V8 cans across the nation. According to Willbrandt, “We hand-cut 95 percent of the harvest, and the trimmings…are put aside for V8. It gives you a lot of pride to grow a quality product. I love the freedom to have my family here, too. My kids work on the transplanters, and they take pride in what they’ve done.” Willbrandt adds that, although his kids dislike veggies, V8 juice is a daily staple in their household.
Yoshida Et Al V Campbell Soup Company
Filed: December 7, 2021§ 3:21-cv-09458
A class action alleges V8-brand juice blends made by Campbell Soup Company have been falsely advertised.
California
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A proposed class action alleges V8-brand fruit and vegetable juice blends have been falsely advertised in that consumers are not warned that the sugar content of the purportedly healthy products increases the risk of metabolic, cardiovascular and liver diseases and obesity, among other conditions.
The 34-page complaint against defendant Campbell Soup Company contends that at least 17 varieties of V8 fruit and vegetable blends have been deceptively marketed on the back of false and misleading claims with regard to the products ostensibly healthy nature. More specifically, Campbells claim that the juice blends can Boost Your Morning Nutrition is misleading in that certain critical information about the potentially harmful effects of sugar consumption is intentionally left undisclosed to consumers, the case claims.
Because scientific evidence demonstrates that, due its high free sugar content, juice consumption is associated with increased risk of metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, liver disease, obesity, high blood triglycerides and cholesterol, hypertension, and all-cause mortality, Campbells representation that the Juice Blends Boost Your Morning Nutrition is false, or at least highly misleading, the lawsuit alleges.
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V8 +energy Drink Caffeine:
Think of an energy drink. Theres caffeine in it. That little boost is just what you need to get through the day and keep yourself sharp for when that big job interview comes around, or your next exam rolls around on a Monday morning after one too many rounds at Saturday night parties. You might think coffee has more than enough caffeine, but did you know some chocolate bars also contain high amounts?
V8 +energy Drink Vs Bang Energy Drink:
Both are sugar-free drinks. Here are some differences in these drinks:
The Caffeine:
The Bang usually has 300 mg caffeine which can be too much for some people. On the other hand, V8 + Energy Drink only contains 80mg, so most anyone could drink it without being affected negatively by caffeine consumption.
The Calories:
Calories can vary from drink to drink. The Bang Energy Drink has 300 calories per can, while the V8 +Energy Drink only contains 140 calories!
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Pros And Cons Of Store Bought Vs Homemade Juice
The upside of store bought juice: It is really convenient to grab a drink off the shelf and be done with it. You dont have to own a juicer or clean up any mess!
The downside of store bought juice: Some juice brands add in lots of high carb and high fructose fruits to make the drink taste better of course, we always want the sweet taste.
Some innocent looking commercial juices even add in white sugar or artificial sweeteners to make the juice more palatable, so always read the ingredient list and nutrition label thoroughly before buying.
Premade juices can also be very expensive and the cost can add up quickly if you drink them every day.
The upside of homemade juice: You get to control exactly what goes into your juice. You choose the ingredients, the flavor, the proportions, and you have peace of mind that there arent any added sugars hidden in your drink. Plus, making your own juice is usually much cheaper in the long run. And it can also be a great way to learn about nutrition.
The downside of homemade juice: Juicing can be time consuming and you must have the right equipment a juicer or blender.
May Boost Athletic Performance

Long bouts of exercise have been known to cause oxidative stress in humans. Damage caused by oxidative stress is associated with the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and neurodegenerative diseases.
A 2011 research study involving 50 male athletes ages 20 to 25 showed that consuming 75ml of tomato juice enhances the bodys defense against oxidative stress.
In addition, a small study published in 2016 found that consuming tomato juice before or during an exercise session can reduce post-exercise fatigue, which could motivate people to start exercising more often.
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Are V8 Energy Drinks Actually Good For You
According to the book Sports and Energy Drinks, energy drinks originated in Japan in the early 1960s . These initial energy drinks included extra caffeine and vitamins, which are typically the main ingredients in many of the energy drinks that can be found on the market today.
The energy drinks industry is broad, encompassing a wide number of products that identify themselves as beverages that will give your body an added boost. This buzz of energy drinks apparently continues to create buzz, with sales in the United States increasing by nearly 6% in 2020, according to Statista.
Despite the strong presence of energy drinks, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate them, nor does the agency have a classification system between energy drinks and sports drinks . It is, therefore, important to be mindful of the ingredients in the energy drinks you consume and the impacts the caffeine and sugar levels can have on your body. According to the National Institutes of Health, the bottom line with energy drinks is that a growing body of scientific evidence shows that energy drinks can have serious health effects, particularly in children, teenagers, and young adults. Is this true of V8 energy drinks too?
V8 Fusion Energy Drink Caffeine Content
While V8 Fusion Energy Drink caffeine can be MODERATE, the key is moderation. Ultimately, the caffeine in V8 Fusion Energy Drink is safe all that matters is how much of it you drink.
To learn more about the amount of caffeine in different energy drinks, shots, coffee or tea, check out other products weve researched.
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What Will Happen If I Drink Expired Juice
Unopened juice has a shelf-life of 12 months. But juice can spoil once opened, whether refrigerated or not. Spoiled juice has an off odor and flavor, and drinking it will cause your kids to have stomachaches and diarrhea. In addition to spoiled juice, improperly pasteurized juice can also make your kids sick.
Juice Vs Whole Vegetables
Katherine Zerasky, a registered dietitian at the Mayo Clinic, advises that you should not routinely get your vegetable servings from juice because whole vegetables contain more fiber than juice. However, drinking vegetable juice like V8 makes it more likely that you will meet the recommended servings of vegetables and can help lower your blood pressure according to a study by the University of California, Davis, reported in 2010 in the “Nutrition Journal.”
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V8 +energy Drink Pros And Cons:
There are many good things about this drink. Here are the pros and cons:
Pros:
- The V8 +Energy Drink is a great way to stay up for hours in the afternoon when you need that little boost of energy.
- The 80 mg caffeine wont keep you awake all night, but it will help power through your workday with ease.
- This drink has 0 g sugar, so that it can be great for sugar-free diets or any other diet.
Cons:
- It has 140 calories which can be bad for different diets, such as low-calorie diets.
V8 Juice Nutrition Facts And Health Benefits
Even if you have plenty of fresh vegetables in your refrigerator, it can sometimes be a challenge to turn them into a healthy meal, especially when it comes to prep and cook time. But its important to ensure you eat enough veggies to meet your nutritional needs.
If convenience and taste are key for getting your veggies, V8 juice could be a good choice. Original V8 juice ingredients include a blend of carrots, watercress, lettuce, parsley, spinach, beets, celery, and tomatoes. The juice is low in fat and sugar and contains some vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in vegetables.
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Concentrated Source Of Sugar
As of 2016, the V8 manufacturers website reports there are no added sugars in its juice products. The beverages do, however, contain variable amounts of natural sugars from vegetable and fruit juices. The sugar content in the 100 percent vegetable juices is low, but the veggie blend and fusion drinks contain more sugar.
The higher concentration of sugar in these beverages can potentially cause increased blood sugar, a concern for people with diabetes or prediabetes. However, there are some light version of certain V8 vegetable and fruit medleys with lower sugar content.
Some examples of the sugar content of an 8-ounce serving of various V8 juice drinks include:
- original and spicy hot vegetable juice, 6 to 7 g
- pineapple passion veggie blend, 16 g
- tropical orange fusion, 25 g
- light peach mango fusion, 9 g
It Has A Lot Of Sodium

With all the benefits V8 offers, it comes with some drawbacks as well. If you were thinking about completely replacing your daily vegetable serving with V8, you should consider the following. In order to add flavor to the drink and preserve its ingredients, the V8 manufacturers add a considerable amount of sodium to the beverage. According to Medical News Today, one 8-ounce glass of V8 has 640 mg of sodium, which is almost one-third of your daily recommended intake.
Experts at Harvard Health explain that sodium is commonly used to give flavor to food. It also acts as a preservative. It’s actually needed in certain quantities in the body to facilitate the functioning of nerves, to help with muscle movement, and more. However, if there is too much sodium in the body, it can cause high blood pressure, as well as lead to heart disease and stroke. Furthermore, if you consume too much sodium, your kidneys have a hard time filtering out the excess, and your body ends up retaining water in order to dilute it. This can then lead to an increased volume of blood in the bloodstream, a stiffening of the blood vessels, and thus high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.
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Sodium In Original V8
With 480 milligrams of sodium in one 8 ounce glass, Original V8 contains 20 percent of the daily recommended amount of sodium that the US Department of Health and Human Services recommends for a healthy diet to keep your blood pressure at normal levels. Low sodium V8 juice is a better choice. With 120 milligrams of sodium, it contains six percent of the daily recommended amount. Most Americans consume way more sodium than they need, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and should choose foods lower in sodium, like low-sodium V8 juice, to reduce overall intake.