The vilified carbohydrate continues to come under attack. A number of confectionery products have lowered carbohydrate levels, and in the beverage arena, brewers have been touting the low-carb levels of their light products for months. Now, even fruit juice makers are looking to pacify suddenly carb-conscious dieters.

Among the first juice makers to lower their products' carbohydrate levels, Old Orchard (Sparta, Mich.) is introducing a low-sugar, low-carbohydrate grape juice, claimed to be the first of its kind. Old Orchard's line of light products also includes apple, apple kiwi strawberry, apple cranberry and apple raspberry. The products promise 75% less sugar, carbohydrates and calories compared to other fruit juices.

Naturally sweetened, the “juice cocktails” are 25-30% juice and free of preservatives. Natural coloring is by means of the Aronia berry, which also provides another healthful slant: it contains more than 100% of the daily value of vitamin C and up to 10 times higher amounts of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents than the cranberry.