Scientists have discovered that drinking orange juice may be associated with improved blood pressure regulation, fat metabolism, and lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) describes citrus flavanone Phase II metabolites as exhibiting anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory tendencies that participate in reducing the risk of various chronic illnesses.
“Citrus flavanone metabolites, hesperetin 7-glucuronide and 3-(4′-hydroxyphenyl) propanoic acid have been found to protect pancreatic β-cells from oxidative stress, modulating the expression of proteins involved in insulin, glutathione metabolism, and inflammation signaling pathways,” the research paper stated.
Study authors from the Food Research Center and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of São Paulo in São Paulo, Brazil, did not respond to requests for comment by the time of publication.
Hesperetin 7-glucuronide and 3-(4′-hydroxyphenyl) are naturally occurring compounds that are studied for their potential protection against cellular stress, according to the NIH.
“These findings suggest that body weight may influence molecular response to bioactive compounds in orange juice and provide information for personalized recommendations on the consumption of flavonoid-rich foods,” the report said.
Classes of flavonoids include flavanones, which are hesperidin and naringenin, and they are believed to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits as well as prevent or delay cell division, according to the study.
“As a result, OJ consumption may be a strategy for improving cardiometabolic health,” the authors wrote.
The study's finding were based on observing healthy volunteers who consumed some 16 fluid ounces of orange juice every day for two months.
DietitianLive registered dietitian Janelle Bober was surprised to learn that orange juice and its flavonoids, hesperidin and naringenin, may be associated with more benefits than previously known.
“They act on multiple things,” Bober told NTD. “It not only affects the mononuclear cells, but that also in turn changes our blood lipid handling, blood pressure regulation, and inflammation. It's kind of surprising to see that it has such a wide breadth of impacts."
Bober believes eating a whole orange a day may provide the same benefits, as well as fiber and possibly more flavonoids that produce benefits.
"The juice only concentrates the polyphenols and typically will not give you the same amount of fiber unless you're choosing orange juice with pulp in it," Bober added. "Overall, whole fruit does give you a little bit more benefit in terms of satiety, glycemic control, and more consistent dosage of the flavonoids than just the juice."