Summer crush

SMOOTHIES have wangled their way into our lives and, despite being quite an expensive source of fruit, they are convenient, and are preferable to fizzy drinks.

However, like fresh fruit, they contain sugar and acids which can damage teeth. Ideally we should swish with a mouthful of water after fruit in any form.

While some packaging suggests we can get at least one of our five a day fruit and vegetables, we would need to drink at least a quarter of a 1 litre carton for one portion. The blend is often good with red fruits mixed with other colours, providing nutrients, but just how nutritious they are after processing is difficult to ascertain.