A glass of orange juice a day: Unexpected effects related to blood pressure and blood fat discovered

Orange juice has long been known for its benefits for heart health and the immune system.

Now, new research published in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research has found additional surprising benefits to drinking orange juice daily related to blood pressure, fat, and inflammation, giving it a deeper impact on the body.

The study involved 20 healthy adults aged 21-36. The participants had no chronic diseases and were asked to drink 500 ml of sterilised orange juice twice a day for 60 days, after avoiding citrus foods for the first three days. Blood was taken at the start of the study and after 60 days, PBMC immune cells were isolated for total RNA analysis, which allowed them to track how their genes changed.

Unexpected discovery from drinking orange juice every day

Drinking a glass of orange juice every day can "reset" gene activity in immune cells, positively affecting blood pressure, blood lipids and inflammation.

ILLUSTRATION: AI

The results found that drinking orange juice every day can also "fine-tune" the activity of thousands of genes related to blood pressure, fat metabolism and inflammation, with different effects depending on body weight.

Specifically, there were 3,790 RNA changes, including 1,705 protein-coding genes, 66 microRNAs, 19 long non-coding RNAs, and 67 small nucleolar RNAs. The analysis showed that genes related to blood pressure, lipids, inflammation, and important signals in the body were regulated in a beneficial direction. Specifically, inflammatory genes decreased in expression, while genes controlling blood pressure and lipid metabolism also moved in a better direction, consistent with lower blood pressure, reduced inflammation, and improved metabolism, according to the medical news site News Medical.

Notably, overweight individuals had strong alterations in pathways related to adiposity and adipogenesis, while normal-weight individuals had more alterations in inflammatory pathways.

The researchers also used simulations to examine how flavanone metabolites in orange juice, such as hesperetin- and naringenin-glucuronides/sulfates, can directly interact with important transcription factors such as NFKB1, AHR, and PPARA, explaining how orange juice affects genes.

In short, drinking a glass of orange juice every day can "reset" gene activity in immune cells, positively affecting blood pressure, blood lipids and inflammation. These findings provide initial scientific evidence to turn the familiar drink into an effective tool to support cardiovascular health, according to News Medical.

The best way to drink orange juice

The best way to drink orange juice is to drink it in moderation (8 oz or less per day for adults), ideally with meals to avoid spikes in blood sugar. To maximize the benefits, choose 100% orange juice with no added sugar and consider diluting it with water. Eating the orange whole is best because of the fiber.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/moi-ngay-1-ly-nuoc-cam-phat-hien-tac-dung-bat-ngo-lien-quan-huet-ap-mo-mau-185251115173312495.htm