Writing in a new study, the US-based researchers examined effect of consuming 100% orange juice on measures of nutrient adequacy, diet quality, and risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MetS).
The team report that moderate consumption of 100% orange juice should be encouraged to help individuals meet the daily recommendation for fruit intake, forming a component of a healthy diet.
Consumption of 100% orange juice was associated with better diet quality and an increased prevalence of meeting the estimated average requirements (EAR) for key nutrients and other biomarkers of positive health outcomes, including lower total cholesterol and LDL levels, the team found.
“100% OJ consumers had increased intake of nutrients typically found in 100% OJ (i.e. vitamin C, folate, and potassium,” noted the research team, led by Professor Carol O’Neil from Louisiana State University. “Consumers were also less likely to have intakes below the EAR for vitamins A, B-6, and C; folate; and magnesium than non-consumers.”
“The reduction in the percentage of the population with inadequate intakes of these nutrients associated with 100% OJ consumption indicates the value of consuming a nutrient dense beverage,” they added, writing in Nutrition Journal.
O’Neil and her team added that those consuming 100% orange juice had a lower mean BMI and a decreased risk of obesity, while males had a decreased risk of metabolic syndrome.
“These results suggested that 100% OJ consumption should be encouraged as a component of a healthy diet to help individuals meet nutrient and fruit intake recommendations,” said the team.
Fruit juice
The researchers noted that there have been concerns about the consumption of 100% fruit juices and links to overweight and obesity, especially children. However, they noted that most studies have been conducted in children and have not shown a relationship between such juices and weight.
The new study examined data from 8,861 adults taking part in the NHANES 2003-2006 study.
Approximately 24% of the population were found to have consumed 100% orange juice on either of the days when a 24 hour recall was taken.
Consumption of orange juice was associated with an increase in nutrient intakes including: vitamins A, B6, and C; folate; potassium and magnesium.
Higher intake of orange juice was also linked to a 21% lower risk of obesity in both men and women.
“To our knowledge this is the first report studying the association between the consumption of 100% orange juice and nutrient adequacy in adults using the recommended UI procedures,” said O’Neil and her team.
Source: Nutrition Journal
Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-11-107
“100% Orange juice consumption is associated with better diet quality, improved nutrient adequacy, decreased risk for obesity, and improved biomarkers of health in adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003-2006”
Authors: Carol E O¿Neil, Theresa A Nicklas, Gail C Rampersaud, Victor L Fulgoni III