A recent study has shown that regular consumption of orange juice can affect the activity of thousands of genes within immune cells. Many of these genes help regulate blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and regulate the way the body processes sugar, all of which play a significant role in long-term heart health.
According to The Independent, the study followed adults who consumed 500 milliliters of pasteurized pure orange juice daily for two months. After 60 days, the activity of many genes associated with inflammation and high blood pressure decreased.
The genes included NAMPT, IL6, IL1B, and NLRP3, which are typically activated when the body is under stress. Activity in another gene known as SGK1 also decreased, which affects the kidney's ability to retain sodium. These changes align with previous findings that daily orange juice consumption can lower blood pressure in young adults.
Improving heart health
This is noteworthy as it offers a possible explanation for why orange juice is linked to improved heart health in many trials. The new study shows that orange juice raises blood sugar levels and seems to cause minor changes in regulatory bodily systems, reducing inflammation and helping blood vessels relax.
It appears that natural compounds found in oranges, especially hesperidin, an acidic flavonoid known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, impact processes related to high blood pressure, cholesterol balance, and how the body handles sugar.
The response also varies depending on body size. People with overweight showed greater changes in genes responsible for fat metabolism, while volunteers with less weight exhibited stronger effects on inflammation.
Reducing insulin resistance
A systematic review of controlled trials involving 639 participants from 15 studies concluded that regular consumption of orange juice reduces insulin resistance and blood cholesterol levels. Insulin resistance is a key feature of prediabetes, and high cholesterol is a proven risk factor for heart disease.
Increasing good cholesterol
Another analysis, focusing on adults with overweight and obesity, showed a slight decrease in systolic blood pressure and an increase in high-density lipoprotein HDL levels, known as good cholesterol, after several weeks of daily orange juice consumption.
While these changes are modest, the slight improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol can make a noticeable difference when maintained over many years.
Gut microbiome
Other studies also point to the benefits of orange juice, looking at metabolites, small molecules the body produces during food processing.
A recent scientific review revealed that orange juice impacts pathways related to energy use, cell communication, and inflammation. It also affects the gut microbiome, which is increasingly understood to play a role in heart health.
One study showed that drinking red orange juice for a month increases the number of gut bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids.
These compounds help maintain healthy blood pressure and reduce inflammation. Volunteers also showed improvements in blood sugar levels and decreases in markers of inflammation.
Reducing metabolic syndrome
People with metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors including high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar levels, and increased body fat, may particularly benefit from regular consumption of orange juice.
In one study, daily orange juice consumption improved endothelial function in 68 participants suffering from obesity. Endothelial function reflects how well blood vessels can relax and expand, and better function is associated with a lower risk of heart attacks.
Blood lipid concentrations
In contrast, a broader analysis of blood lipid concentrations showed that despite a decrease in low-density lipoprotein LDL, often called bad cholesterol, other lipid measures, such as triglycerides and useful cholesterol HDL, may not change much.
However, a person who consumes orange juice daily enjoys multiple benefits such as reducing inflammation, supporting healthy blood flow, and improving several blood markers associated with long-term heart health.
