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Most of us think of oranges Juice As a simple breakfast habit, something you throw in without thinking too much. Yet scientists are discovering that this everyday drink is doing more than just quenching thirst for the body.
A recent study has shown that regular orange juice consumption can affect the activity of thousands of genes inside our immune cells. Many of these genes help control blood pressureCalm Swelling and manage body processes SugarAll of these play an important role in long-term heart health.
The study followed adults who drank 500 ml of pure pasteurized orange juice every day for two months. After 60 days, several genes linked Swelling and higher blood pressure Had become less active.
These include NAMPT, IL6, IL1B, and NLRP3, which are normally activated when the body is under stress. Another gene, called SGK1, which affects the kidney’s ability to hold sodium (salt), also became less active.
Such changes match previous findings that drinking orange juice daily may reduce blood pressure in young adults.
This is noteworthy because it offers a possible explanation for why orange juice has been linked to better heart health in several trials. New work shows the drink doesn’t just raise blood. SugarInstead, it appears to trigger small changes in the body’s regulatory systems that reduce inflammation and help blood vessels relax,
Natural compounds in oranges, particularly hesperidin, a citrus flavonoid known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, influence processes related to high blood pressure, cholesterol Balance and how the body handles sugar.
The response also varies according to body size. Overweight people showed greater changes in genes involved in fat metabolism, while lean volunteers showed stronger effects on inflammation.
A systematic review of controlled trials involving 639 participants in 15 studies found that regular orange juice consumption reduced insulin resistance and blood cholesterol levels. Insulin resistance is a key feature of pre-diabetes, and high cholesterol is an established risk factor for heart disease.
Another analysis focusing on overweight and obese adults found a small reduction in systolic blood pressure and an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL), often referred to as good cholesterol, after daily orange juice consumption for several weeks. Although these changes are minor, even modest improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol can make a meaningful difference if maintained over several years.
More clues come from studies that examine metabolites, small molecules produced when food is processed in the body. A recent review found that orange juice affects pathways related to energy use, communication between cells, and inflammation. It may also affect the gut microbiome, which is increasingly understood to play a role in heart health.
About the author
David C. Gage is Senior Lecturer in Chemical Pathology at the University of Westminster.
This article is republished from Conversation Under Creative Commons license. read the original article,
One study showed that drinking blood orange juice for a month increased the number of bacteria in the gut that produce short-chain fatty acids. These compounds help maintain healthy blood pressure and reduce inflammation. The volunteers also showed improved blood sugar control and lower levels of inflammation markers.
People with metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors that includes high blood pressure, increased blood sugar and excess body fat, may see particular benefits.
In one study, daily consumption of orange juice improved the function of the lining of blood vessels, known as endothelial function, in 68 obese participants. Endothelial function describes how well blood vessels relax and widen, and better function is linked to a lower risk of heart attack.
Not all studies report the same results. A comprehensive analysis of blood fat concentrations found that although levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often called bad cholesterol, often fell, other lipid measurements such as triglycerides and HDL may not change much. Nevertheless, people who drink orange juice regularly may still benefit.
A study of 129 workers at an orange juice factory in Brazil reported low blood concentrations of apolipoprotein B or apo-B, a marker that reflects the number of cholesterol-carrying particles, associated with heart attack risk.
Overall, the evidence challenges the idea that drinking citrus fruit juice is the same as consuming a glass of sugar. Whole fruit remains a better choice due to its fiber, but drinking a glass of pure orange juice daily has benefits that increase over time.
These include reducing inflammation, supporting healthy blood flow, and improving several blood markers associated with long-term heart health. It’s a reminder that everyday foods can have greater effects on the body than we realize.