Parents think of it as a healthy beverage, and kids think it tastes great.
But doctors warn that it may not be the best thing for young children. It's not that the juice itself is harmful, but it can fill up a child's small stomach, keeping her from eating other foods that would help her grow. Another hazard for kids who drink too much apple juice is diarrhea. Doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas say this is caused by a sugar called sorbitol, which occurs naturally in apples and which is not digested by the body. Doctors recommend that children not be given juice until they are a year old.