Khaberni - Recent scientific research suggests that regularly drinking orange juice may provide important benefits for heart health, not only because it contains vitamins, but also because of its potential ability to affect the activity of thousands of genes within the body.
In a new study, researchers followed a group of adults who drank 500 ml of pasteurized natural orange juice daily for two months. After 60 days, it was found that the activity of a number of genes associated with inflammation and high blood pressure significantly decreased, including NAMPT, IL6, IL1B, and NLRP3. Additionally, the activity of another gene, SGK1, which is responsible for the kidneys retaining sodium, declined.
These changes support previous findings that drinking orange juice daily can reduce blood pressure in young people.
These results help explain why orange juice is linked with improved heart health in many clinical trials. Instead of just raising sugar levels, it appears to cause subtle shifts in the body's regulatory systems, aiding in the relaxation of blood vessels and reduction of inflammation.
Scientists believe these effects are due to natural compounds found in citrus, most notably hesperidin, a flavonoid known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Responses vary from person to person, with overweight individuals showing greater changes in genes related to fat metabolism, while leaner individuals experienced stronger effects on inflammation pathways.
According to a systematic review of 15 studies involving 639 participants, regular consumption of orange juice helped reduce insulin resistance and lower cholesterol levels; both are key factors in increasing the risk of heart disease. Other studies also showed a slight decrease in systolic blood pressure and an increase in good cholesterol (HDL) levels after weeks of daily juice consumption.
Further research indicated the juice's potential impact on metabolism and gut bacteria. In one study, drinking blood orange juice for a month led to an increase in bacteria producing short-chain fatty acids, known for their role in reducing inflammation and maintaining healthy blood pressure.
Individuals with metabolic syndrome might benefit particularly, as one study on 68 obese individuals showed that daily orange juice consumption improved the function of the inner lining of the blood vessels, an indicator associated with a reduced risk of heart attacks.
Despite varied results among studies, the accumulated scientific evidence suggests that moderate and regular consumption of orange juice may offer tangible long-term heart health benefits.
