1. Rich in Several Important Nutrients
Orange juice is high in many nutrients, including vitamin C, folate, and potassium.
Orange juice is a concentrated source of
vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin that doubles as a powerful antioxidant and plays a central role in immune function (
2).
Additionally, vitamin C helps promote bone formation, wound healing, and gum health (
3Trusted Source).
Orange juice is also rich in
folate, which is needed for DNA synthesis and supports fetal growth and development (
4Trusted Source).
Not to mention, it’s an excellent source of the mineral potassium, which regulates blood pressure, prevents bone loss, and protects against heart disease and stroke (
5).
2. High in Antioxidants
Antioxidants in orange juice promote health by preventing oxidative damage — an imbalance between antioxidants and unstable molecules known as free radicals.
Research shows that antioxidants are crucial to maintaining overall health. They may even help protect against chronic conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes (
6Trusted Source).
Orange juice is a good
source of antioxidants like flavonoids, carotenoids, and ascorbic acid (
7Trusted Source).
One 8-week study found that drinking 25 ounces (750 ml) of orange juice daily increased antioxidant status significantly (
8).
Another study had similar findings, reporting that drinking 20 ounces (591 ml) of orange juice daily for 90 days increased total antioxidant status in 24 adults with high cholesterol and triglycerides (
9).
Plus, in a study in over 4,000 adults, orange juice was considered one of the top sources of antioxidants in the average American diet — alongside tea,
berries, wine, supplements, and vegetables (
10).
3. May Help Prevent Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are small mineral deposits that accumulate in your kidneys, often causing symptoms like severe pain, nausea, or blood in your urine (
11Trusted Source).
Orange juice can increase the pH or urine, making it more alkaline. Studies show that having a higher, more alkaline urinary pH may aid in preventing kidney stones. (
12,
13).
One small study observed that orange juice was more effective than lemonade at reducing several kidney stone risk factors (
14).
Another study in 194,095 people found that those who consumed orange juice at least once daily had a 12% lower risk of developing
kidney stones than those who drank less than one serving a week (
15Trusted Source).
4. May Improve Heart Health
Heart disease is a serious problem, accounting for over 17 million deaths worldwide each year (
16Trusted Source).
Some studies show that drinking orange juice may reduce several risk factors for heart disease — such as high blood pressure and
elevated cholesterol — and help keep your heart healthy and strong.
For example, one study in 129 people found that long-term orange juice consumption lowered levels of both total and “bad” LDL cholesterol (
17Trusted Source).
Furthermore, a review of 19 studies noted that drinking fruit juice was effective at decreasing diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number of a reading) in adults (
18Trusted Source).
Orange juice has also been shown to increase levels of “good” HDL cholesterol in people with elevated levels — which could
improve heart health (
19Trusted Source).
....it's so damn good.....
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