Unexpected effects when you drink orange juice every day

A glass of orange juice with breakfast provides you with the vitamin C you need for the day. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that supports the human immune system. Orange juice is also a good source of potassium to control blood pressure and vitamin B9 to support cell production.

Another benefit of orange juice that may surprise you is that it reduces the risk of kidney stones. “Orange juice is high in citrate, which has been shown in studies to reduce the formation of stones, especially calcium oxalate and uric acid stones,” explains Dr. Utsav Bansal to Health Digest . These are the most common types of kidney stones.

The amount of citrate in a cup of orange juice (1-1g citrate) varies depending on how it is prepared, adds Dr. Bansal.

The National Kidney Foundation says that 10 in 1 people will develop kidney stones at some point in their lives. Chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and obesity can increase the risk of kidney stones. Dr. Bansal says that we can make dietary changes and add orange juice to help prevent the disease.

Kidney stones often form when you don’t drink enough water, causing your urine to become concentrated with minerals, salts, and other waste. Uric acid kidney stones form when the pH of your urine drops due to a high-protein diet. “Citrate (in orange juice) is a powerful kidney stone inhibitor by alkalinizing the urine, thereby increasing its pH. In addition, citrate binds to calcium in the urine, reducing the supersaturation of the urine,” explains Dr. Bansal.

To reduce your risk of kidney stones, Dr. Bansal recommends looking at your diet. Staying hydrated and adding a slice of lemon to your water is one way to reduce your risk of developing uric acid kidney stones.

Excess sodium in your diet causes your body to excrete more calcium, which can lead to calcium oxalate stones. If you think you may have this condition, limit your sodium (a component of salt) and foods high in oxalates, such as spinach, soybeans, nuts, and chocolate.

Orange juice may help reduce the risk of kidney stones, but Dr. Bansal warns people to be mindful of its high sugar content. One cup of orange juice has nearly 26 grams of sugar, with little fiber to slow the spike in your blood sugar. “In addition, the acidity of orange juice can cause digestive upset and erode tooth enamel, among other side effects,” he says.