By Joke Kujenya
FOR MANY people, a glass of orange juice is simply part of breakfast. It is familiar, refreshing and easy to drink. But research suggests that the popular fruit drink may offer benefits that go beyond its taste.
JKNewsMedia.com writes that a study published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research found that drinking 16 ounces of orange juice daily influenced the activity of thousands of genes inside immune cells.
These genes are involved in processes linked to inflammation, blood pressure, metabolism and blood sugar and their changes became particularly noticeable after 60 days.
Researchers said they found that several genes associated with inflammation and higher blood pressure became less active.
Among them were NAMPT, IL6, IL1B and NLRP3, which they noted are associated with the body’s response to stress and inflammation.
Another gene, SGK1, is linked to the kidneys’ ability to retain salt, andd that matters because inflammation and blood pressure are closely connected to overall cardiovascular health.
The findings are also consistent with earlier research into orange juice and its potential effects on the body.
One study referenced in Phytochemicals in Citrus found that daily orange juice consumption could help lower blood pressure in young adults.
Another review published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition reported that orange juice may help reduce inflammation and support the relaxation of blood vessels.
A study published in Phytotherapy Research has also linked orange juice consumption with improvements in insulin resistance and blood cholesterol levels.
Taken together, the findings point to several possible benefits: less inflammation, healthier blood flow and improvements in some markers associated with heart health.
But there is an important detail when choosing the juice.
The article notes that whole orange juice is preferable to juice made from concentrate.
Juice made from concentrate is produced by removing water and later adding it back, while whole orange juice remains 100 per cent fruit juice.
Pasteurisation, meanwhile, is not necessarily something to avoid.
Pasteurised orange juice is briefly heated to kill harmful germs and make the drink safe to consume.
There is also the question of calories.
Sixteen ounces of orange juice contains about 200 to 220 calories. For someone trying to manage their weight, adding that amount of juice to an existing diet could therefore make a difference.
The more practical approach may be to replace something else with the juice rather than simply adding it to the day’s food intake.
For example, a person who normally eats crisps or crackers with a meal could replace them with orange juice and another food choice, keeping the overall calorie intake roughly similar.
Ultimately, orange juice is not a magic solution for blood pressure, inflammation or blood sugar. But the research suggests that making room for a glass of orange juice in a balanced diet could provide more than a pleasant start to the morning.
For those who already enjoy it, that may be a welcome finding: the familiar glass on the breakfast table could have benefits that extend well beyond its bright colour and sweet, citrusy taste.
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