Khaberni - The morning cup of orange juice seems to be more than just a simple dietary habit as we used to consider it, as a new study has revealed that this common drink may cause deeper biological effects on the body than previously thought.
Research has shown that consuming half a liter of natural orange juice daily for two months can alter the activity of thousands of genes within the cells of the immune system, especially those associated with blood pressure, sugar regulation, and inflammation; factors that directly affect the health of the heart and blood vessels, according to the "ScienceAlert" scientific site.
Direct effect
As the study, published recently, clarified, a number of genes that are normally active during physical stress or inflammation, such as NAMPT, IL6, IL1B, and NLRP3, experienced a significant decrease in their activity after persisting in drinking the juice. The activity of the gene SGK1, which affects the kidney's ability to retain sodium, also declined, which may contribute to lowering blood pressure.
These results align with previous studies that linked daily orange juice consumption with reduced blood pressure in adults.
The key is in the plant compounds
Scientists speculate that these effects are due to the compound hesperidin, a natural flavonoid found in citrus, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and contributes to regulating cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
However, the data showed that the effects are not equal for everyone; it appears that overweight individuals show greater changes in the genes responsible for fat metabolism, while those with normal weights exhibit a stronger effect on inflammation indicators.
A comprehensive review involving 639 participants from 15 studies confirmed that regular juice consumption reduces insulin resistance and lowers total cholesterol levels, both of which are major factors in the development of diabetes and heart disease.
Other analyses also found a slight decrease in systolic blood pressure and an increase in good cholesterol (HDL) levels in overweight adults after weeks of consuming the juice. Although the improvement was slight, its cumulative effects over the long term could be significant.
Potential Role in Microbiome Health
Furthermore, recent studies have indicated that the juice affects metabolic pathways associated with energy, inflammation, and cellular communication, and may improve the composition of gut bacteria. Specifically, bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids - beneficial for regulating pressure and resisting inflammation - increased in individuals who consumed blood orange juice for a month.
Despite repeated warnings about the sugars in juices, the new scientific evidence has confirmed that a moderate cup of natural juice daily may offer cumulative health benefits for the heart, provided it is not excessive and is committed to juice free from additives.
While researchers have concluded that consuming whole fruit remains the best option due to its fiber content, natural orange juice can be a beneficial part of the diet, with deeper biological effects than we had imagined.
