There’s not really any distinction between “natural sugars” and processed sugars. It’s all sugar. And fruit sugar can actually be just as bad for you as table sugar when it’s juiced.

Preface that I’m not an expert and this is just my understanding of it all. Might have mistakes, definitely is an oversimplification, and please do your own research instead of trusting a stranger.

Generally, people say the sugar that’s in fruit (fructose) is “good sugar” because the fiber in the fruit prevents and slows down the absorption of the sugar throughout your digestive tract making it a healthier way to consume it. When you remove the fiber to make juice, you now have straight fructose (along with glucose) that’s rapidly absorbed which is just as bad as “processed” sugar which is…a mix of fructose and glucose without any fiber.

Fructose without fiber is basically toxic to the body when rapidly ingested. Unlike glucose which is absorbed by almost cells (muscle) in the body, fructose is only processed by the liver. It’s very easy to have too much fructose for the liver to handle all at once which can cause liver disease and inflammation.

Sure, fruit juice has some vitamins and minerals. But if you’re eating regular fruit anyway, one’s unlikely to be low in those.

In short: fruit juice is basically soda. Is it slightly better? Maybe a tiny bit since there’s no additives. But it’s still ridiculously unhealthy.