Is Orange Juice Good for You? Unpeeling the Truth

As the most popular fruit juice across the world, fresh orange juice is often marketed as a healthy choice when it comes to breakfast beverages. But is it really good for you?

With some varieties laden with added sugars and preservatives, we’re prompted to ask: Is orange juice truly beneficial, or does it deserve caution?

We explore the nutritional information of this citrus beverage and explain how fresh or frozen orange juice can be consumed as part of a balanced diet.

Orange Juice Nutrition Facts 

To illustrate some of the key drawbacks and health benefits of orange juice, here’s a detailed breakdown of all the important nutrients in one 100-gram portion:

Name	Amount (per 100g)
Calories	47 kcal
Carbohydrates	10.2g
Fiber	0.3g
Sugars	8.18g
Protein	0.77g
Fat	0.34g
Potassium	181mg
Vitamin C	28.7mg
Folate	29mg
Calcium	56mg

Health Benefits of Orange Juice

Real orange juice is not only a sweet and delicious tangy treat, but the freshly squeezed variety also delivers a wealth of health benefits. Some of its key advantages include:

#1 Supports digestive health

The digestive system and stomach can benefit greatly from drinking orange juice in moderation. 

This juice contains minerals like magnesium and potassium, which promote regular bowel movements and digestion.

Due to its alkaline and acidic properties, orange juice also cleanses the digestive system and stomach. Orange juice also has strong anti-inflammatory properties, preventing and reversing flatulence.

#2 Might promote healthier skin

With one cup containing double the recommended daily value, freshly squeezed orange juice is a great source of vitamin C. As an antioxidant, vitamin C can protect your skin from sun damage caused by UV rays.

Learn more: Does Vitamin C Help Acne?

It may also encourage the production of collagen, a protein that supports your skin’s structure and elasticity. Fresh orange juice could therefore prevent the signs of premature aging, such as skin sagging, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. 

#3 Boosts immunity

As well as promoting skin health and helping your body better absorb essential minerals like iron, vitamin C can stimulate white blood cells. These are an important part of your body’s immune response, which protects you from diseases and infections like the common cold.

Orange juice is also rich in flavonoids, plant compounds that have great anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This allows them to fight harmful toxins that cause illness.

Potential Downsides of Orange Juice

Despite containing a range of beneficial antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients, you should only be drinking orange juice in moderation. Below are three reasons why you shouldn’t consume more orange juice than recommended: 

#1 Might cause weight gain

Although many people drink orange juice as part of a juice fast, when it comes to weight loss, whole oranges are a better option.

This is because orange juice contains significantly less fiber, an important nutrient for heart and digestive health. High-fiber foods help to keep you fuller for longer, satisfying cravings and reducing your appetite. 

Learn more: Are Oranges Good for Weight Loss?

Despite being less filling, orange juice also contains nearly double the amount of calories than oranges. Replacing whole fruits with fruit juice may therefore cause you to consume too many calories, increasing your risk of weight gain.

#2 Causes blood sugar spikes

Thanks to its sugary carbohydrate content, orange juice is high on the glycemic index (GI) compared with whole oranges.

The glycemic index is an indication of how quickly certain foods and drinks cause your blood sugar levels to rise. As a high GI beverage, the carbohydrates within orange juice are digested quickly, leading to a rapid blood sugar spike. This can promote cravings, which may lead to you overeating and gaining weight.

Chronically elevated blood sugar levels can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly for those who already have diabetes.

#3 Can erode tooth enamel

Another drawback of the high sugar content within orange juice is the damage it causes to teeth. Sugar feeds the bacteria within the mouth, which produce acid and break down your enamel, the outer layer that protects the teeth underneath. 

Juices containing citrus fruits such as oranges are also highly acidic. This can cause erosion by damaging your enamel, therefore causing cavities, which are tiny openings in your teeth.

How to Incorporate Orange Juice into a Healthy Diet

Despite its drawbacks, orange juice can be consumed as part of any healthy, balanced diet, if you stick to the recommended portion size. When choosing juice over low-calorie whole fruits, it should make up only half of your daily intake, which equates to 240 ml for an adult.

Although freshly squeezing your oranges at home is the healthiest option, it’s not always the most convenient. 

So, if you do buy orange juice from the grocery store, be sure to choose organic juices over those that have been pasteurized or processed. Select brands that offer 100% orange juice, and check the label to make sure that they don’t contain food colorings or corn syrups with added sugar.

Processed orange juices are often stored in large tanks for up to a year before making their way onto grocery store shelves. This means that they are stripped of essential nutrients such as vitamin C and folate, yet contain added preservatives that prevent them from spoiling. 

Fruit juice also shows significantly less antioxidant activity after undergoing heat processing and being kept in storage.

Special Considerations

There are some instances when monitoring your orange juice intake is especially important. 

For example, although rare, citrus allergies can cause skin redness, burning, itching, vomiting, and trouble breathing. If you encounter any of these symptoms after drinking orange juice, seek emergency medical help immediately. 

As a low-fiber, high-GI beverage that causes blood sugar levels to spike, orange juice may not be suitable for those with diabetes. If you do choose to drink it, you will need to closely monitor your carbohydrate intake throughout the day, which is where a nutrition app may come in handy. 

Learn more: Is Orange Good for Diabetes?

As a result of orange juice’s high sugar content, blood glucose levels can rise rapidly, resulting in hyperglycemia. However, it can be helpful in cases of hypoglycemia, when blood sugar levels drop too low.

If you have any of the conditions mentioned above, you should consult your doctor before drinking orange juice to find out how you can consume it safely. 

A Word From Our RD

FAQs

                      

Conclusion

As part of a balanced diet, orange juice is good for you because it contains vital nutrients like vitamin C that keep your body working smoothly. Choose freshly squeezed, non-processed varieties to experience the health benefits and avoid any added sugars, colors, or preservatives.

Are you an orange juice lover? Share some of your tips for monitoring your consumption and tricks for curbing that sweet craving below. 

It should be noted that the information in this article is for informational purposes only. Only healthcare professionals can offer personalized advice, especially to those with specific health conditions such as diabetes.