Orange Juice Health Benefits

For centuries, orange juice has been an indispensable breakfast drink in numerous households. Have you ever wondered why this drink has not been replaced with others? In fact, having orange juice in the morning is a healthy and fresh way to start a day.

The most popular among citrus fruits, oranges are rich in nutrients. Even the rind of this fruit is said to have some nutritional value. It is a common fact that oranges are rich in vitamin C. But, very few are aware about orange juice nutritional facts.

Oranges are undoubtedly among the healthiest fruits in the world. Even orange juice is found to be nutritious, however, consuming fresh oranges is always preferable, if you want to reap the nutritional benefits of the fruit, in whole.

Another option is to go for freshly-squeezed juice. Even commercial orange juice retains the nutritional value of the fruits to some extent. In general, orange juice can be considered a storehouse of nutrients.

As we all know, it is rich in vitamin C and a single glass of this fruit juice is found to satisfy the daily requirement of this antioxidant. This fruit juice contains considerable amounts of folic acid, B vitamins, beta carotene, calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc. It is also rich in pectin, a dietary fiber.

Oranges are also a good source of around 170 phytonutrients, which are highly beneficial for health. As far as the calorific value of orange juice is concerned, a cup of freshly-squeezed, unsweetened juice amounts to 100 calories.

If this fresh juice is sweetened, the calorific value will rise to 120. The calorific value is found to be slightly higher (around 105) in case of the canned, unsweetened version. Likewise, the calorific value will vary with the type of orange juice you are using.

When compared to some other fruits, the calorific value of raw oranges is very low, as it mainly consists of water and very less natural sugars. Blood orange juice has higher levels of antioxidants than that of regular orange juice.

Being rich in nutrients and various other beneficial compounds, oranges offer numerous health benefits. As mentioned above, freshly-squeezed juice is preferred to store bought ones, as the former is found to be more nutritionally rich. However, make sure to prepare the required amounts and consume it at the earliest.

• Being rich in vitamin C, orange juice is said to boost the immune system, thereby preventing infections. This vitamin has strong antioxidant properties and it fights free radicals that can cause various diseases, including cancer.

• You might have heard about orange juice benefits for skin. While consumption of this fruit juice is said to bring a glow to the skin, topical application is also said to be beneficial in various ways. Apart from tightening the open pores and cleaning the clogged ones, it is also believed to prevent wrinkles and fine lines. Orange juice is also used as a natural remedy for sunburns.

• The antioxidants in orange juice help prevent painful inflammation that can be caused by the action of free radicals. So, this fruit juice is also beneficial for those with inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. It is said that regular use of orange juice helps to reduce the severity of symptoms associated with this condition.

• The nutrients in orange juice is believed to be good for the cardiovascular system. Apart from the action of antioxidants in lowering cholesterol levels, the potassium content in orange juice is helpful in maintaining normal blood pressure. Studies show that a particular flavonone (hesperidin) in oranges is beneficial for lowering high blood pressure.

• While vitamin B6 is good for producing hemoglobin in the body, beta carotene in orange juice is said to prevent cell damage. Calcium is good for bone health, whereas folic acid boosts brain health. Orange juice is also believed to be useful for weight loss.

So, including orange juice in your diet will prove beneficial in improving your health. However, it is acidic in nature and so moderate use is recommended. Avoid drinking orange juice, if you have your stomach upset or experience discomfort.

Make sure to rinse your mouth, after consuming the juice. Otherwise, you may develop tooth decay with long term use of this fruit juice. If possible, opt for freshly-squeezed raw orange juice, instead of store-bought ones. So, feel fresh and be healthy with orange juice.