Drinking orange juice during breakfast, in the mid-afternoon, or after a hearty dinner can be refreshing; it has a great taste, flavor, and mouthfeel. Besides, adding orange juice (OJ) to your diet is one way of maintaining a healthy diet. Orange juice has many health benefits; it is rich in essential nutrients, antioxidants (hesperidin), and vitamins. That said, it is essential to know what happens to your body when you drink OJ. Aside from having many benefits, there are consequences of taking too much orange juice. Studies have established that eating some citrus fruits can cause undesired effects on some people and interfere with medications. Therefore it is vital to understand how OJ impacts your body for you to make an informed decision.
Below are the effects of taking too much orange juice:
Immunity boost
Drinking a glass of orange juice every morning is a great way to boost your immunity. OJ is rich in vitamin C, which protects the body against immune system deficiencies. Vitamin C improves immunity by promoting the production of white blood cells and phagocytes. These cells are essential in fighting infections. Due to their immune-boosting properties, orange juice is a preferred drink during the cold and flu season. Other than that, vitamin C protects the body from free radicals.
Digestive health
Orange juice that contains fruit pulp is a good source of fiber. Drinking orange juice eliminates digestive problems linked to insufficient acidity. OJ increases the desired acidity within your stomach and improves digestion. Drinking orange juice is suitable for your microbiota; it improves gut microbiota’s composition and function.
Glowing complexion
Drinking orange juice is beneficial to your skin health. OJ is rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that aids in the formation of collagen. Collagen is a protein responsible for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness. Also, it helps to reduce wrinkles making your skin more youthful. Besides that, vitamin C protects the skin from oxidative damage.
Heart health
Orange juice is rich in antioxidants like carotenoids, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid, which promote heart health. The dominant antioxidant in orange juice is hesperidin. It is responsible for lowering the risk of heart disease and improving blood vessel function. Drinking orange juice lowers the risk factors for heart disease, such as cholesterol and high blood pressure. Some studies show that OJ consumption lowers cholesterol levels (LDL) and reduces diastolic blood pressure. Besides that, orange juice increases HDL cholesterol which promotes heart health.
Weight gain
Orange juice contains a high concentration of sugar, making it a high-calorie beverage. High-calorie drinks increase the risk of developing diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Besides, drinking too much OJ can cause you to put on some extra pounds. Drinking OJ when hungry does not satiate your hunger; you take more juice which means more calories are ingested.
Teeth damage
Consuming too much orange juice can cause severe damage to your teeth. The high concentration of sugar and citric acid present in orange juice is part of the harmful elements that destroy your teeth. The interaction of OJ and plaque makes plaque acidic. The acidic plaque attacks your teeth and weakens the enamel making it susceptible to damage, infection, decay, and stains.
Heartburn
Drinking too much orange juice can cause one to develop heartburn. Orange juice has a low pH which makes it very acidic. The citric acid present in juice is the primary cause of getting heartburn. It is advisable to avoid drinking orange juice if you suffer from gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)disease or acid reflux. Drinking orange juice on an empty stomach can trigger heartburn symptoms.
