Is Orange Juice Good for Weight Loss? Sipping to Slimness

A popular commercial once said, “Breakfast without orange juice is like a day without sunshine.” There’s something about this color, this fruit, this juice, and the feeling it gives you that provides you with energy.

Recently, there has been some debate regarding how healthy it is to drink orange juice. Some say it’s loaded with sugar and extra calories, so it’s linked to weight gain, while others say extra acids are bad for your teeth and stomach. There are also those who hint that it boosts metabolism and helps you lose weight.

We decided to do our own research to see if orange juice can actually help you lose weight. However, we only looked at fresh-squeezed orange juice, not supermarket orange juices.

When Should I Drink Orange Juice to Lose Weight?

The best time to drink orange juice is in the morning on an empty stomach so you can absorb all its nutrients to the fullest extent possible. You should also watch your calories so you don’t hinder your weight loss.

Having orange juice for breakfast boosts your metabolism. Orange pomace is also an excellent way to reduce the negative impact of a heavy breakfast with high calories and fat.

Orange Juice Nutritional Value

The juice of a live orange is a rich source of vitamins C, E, A, B1, B2, B6, and PP. It is also loaded with minerals and trace elements, including potassium, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, and iron. These all come together to help detox your body, improve your appetite, and give your body an energy boost.

A 100g serving of orange juice contains the following nutrients, based on data from the USDA.

5 Benefits of Drinking Orange Juice for Weight Loss

Many people enjoy drinking fruit juice along with their meals, even if they don’t like eating whole fruit like oranges, apples, or pineapples on their own.

It is undoubtedly healthier to drink fresh juices rather than fizzy drinks because they contain more vitamins and nutrients. Their purpose is to help improve your diet quality and your overall health.

Here are the top 5 health benefits of regularly drinking orange juice. You’ll be craving orange juice by the time you’ve finished reading this.

#1 Source of vitamin C

You will notice how your wounds heal faster and your skin is glowing when you add this fruit juice to your diet. With one glass of orange juice, you get 124mg of vitamin C, which can rejuvenate your body.

Your body requires vitamin C for every single function, including disease prevention. Hence, men and women 19 years and older should get 90mg and 75mg daily, respectively. The amount goes up to 85mg and 120mg during pregnancy and lactation. If you smoke, you should take an extra 35mg of vitamin C beyond the recommended daily value.

#2 Lowers blood pressure

You should drink orange juice regularly if you notice spikes in your blood pressure. This and other citrus juices can lower blood pressure because of the hesperidin they contain.

Hesperidin is a flavonoid that improves blood circulation and is used to treat hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and poor circulation (venous stasis). Orange peels and membranes contain most of the hesperidin, so juicing them is especially healthy.

#3 Improves digestion

You will forget bloating, painful constipation, and other digestive problems if you make a habit of drinking freshly squeezed orange juice regularly. 

It is because orange juice, apple juice, and other fruit juices contain a powerful combination of dietary fiber (0.5g per cup) and acids that help improve digestion and promote weight loss. However, it should only be taken before a meal and only if you have a generally healthy stomach.

The flavonoids in orange juice do more than improve digestion; they can also offer further relief from depression in young adults. In a sense, orange juice does add color to your day.

#4 Controls bad cholesterol levels

You will feel better and perform better over time if you drink more orange juice and maintain a healthy diet. Because orange juice contains antioxidants, it can improve fat metabolism and lower LDL cholesterol in obese individuals.

Studies have shown that orange juice reduces heart attack risk factors and boosts heart health when consumed regularly.

#5 Decreases inflammation

Losing weight, burning body fat, and building muscle are hard on your body, so it’s especially important to detox your body to prevent inflammation. A healthy diet that includes orange juice contributes to weight loss by cleaning toxins from your body.

There’s also evidence that citrus flavanones and their metabolites affect the microbiota composition and activity and relieve inflammation in the gut.

FAQs

Conclusion

Now you know that drinking a glass of orange juice regularly will not lead to you gaining weight. It can even help you achieve your weight loss goals and burn body fat if you also consume fewer calories and exercise regularly.

Moreover, regular consumption of orange juice enhances the digestive system and helps boost your immune response. There’s a lot of vitamin C, flavonoids, and other nutrients in it, and it is irreplaceable for your health. Not to mention orange juice is delicious!

Getting a cup of vibrant energy every day is as simple as squeezing a couple of oranges. When you are filled with positive energy during the weight loss process, you are more likely to succeed in losing weight.