Your Morning Juice Might Be Doing More for Your Health Than You Think

In the 1930s, Albert Szent-Györgyi discovered vitamin C. It was a groundbreaking finding that transformed not only the lives of malnourished sailors suffering from scurvy but also the orange juice industry. For decades, orange juice’s vitamin C content has been one of its biggest selling points. It’s why many people reach for a glass at breakfast, alongside tea or coffee. 

But new research suggests that this popular morning drink may offer significant health benefits beyond its vitamin C content. According to a study from the Food Research Center and the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of São Paulo, orange juice may also help reduce harmful gene activity.

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Published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, the study analyzed data from a group of adult volunteers who drank more than two cups of orange juice each day for 60 days. The research found that orange juice may help reduce inflammation, support blood pressure regulation, and improve how fats are processed in the blood. Researchers believe this may be due to the drink’s high amount of flavonoids—plant compounds known for their antioxidant properties.

The authors noted that orange juice affected people differently depending on their body weight. Among participants who were overweight, the drink had a greater impact on how fat was stored and broken down. In those of normal weight, researchers observed more pronounced changes related to inflammation and immune function.

The benefits of drinking more orange juice

The study does have some limitations, including its small sample size and short duration, but the findings are still noteworthy. Orange juice is widely affordable and accessible, and in 2023 and 2024, Americans consumed roughly 486,000 metric tons of it. According to the study’s authors, orange juice is also one of the largest sources of flavonoids in the Brazilian diet.

While the drink often gets a bad rap for its sugar content, this study builds on a growing body of research suggesting that orange juice can be a healthy addition to most people’s daily diets.

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For example, a 2013 study of nearly 195,000 people found that drinking orange juice daily was associated with a 12 percent lower risk of kidney stones. Another smaller study published the same year, involving around 129 participants, suggested that long-term orange juice consumption could help reduce levels of LDL cholesterol, a known risk factor for heart disease. 

If you’re concerned about sugar content or artificial ingredients, experts recommend choosing freshly squeezed or 100 percent orange juice over more processed varieties.