If you’re a person who thinks that there’s no place for fruit juice in your diet, think again! May 4th marks National Orange Juice Day, so I have partnered with the Florida Department of Citrus to talk you about the benefits of drinking 100% orange juice.
Many worry about the sugar content in fruit juices. However, you should know that 100% orange juice never contains added sugar, it only contains the naturally occurring sugars from the whole fruit. Natural sugars, such as those found in fruits, not only bring nutrients along with them, but do not come with the health issues you may have when consuming added sugars in excess. So, if you’re looking for orange juice, choose 100%!
You may also be concerned about 100% orange juice affecting your weight. Well, studies have shown that drinking 100% orange juice does not have negative effects on someone’s weight. In fact, those who consumed 100% orange juice were found to have lower waist circumferences and lower body fat percentage than those who didn’t. These studies are consistent with both adults and children.
Parents can feel confident about serving their children Florida orange juice. When providing juice for their children, parents should follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ fruit juice guideline amounts of 4-6 ounces per day for children ages 1 to 6 and 8-12 ounces per day for older children. Eight to 12 ounces a day is also the proper serving size for adults. When you keep these portions in check, not only do not have to fear weight gain, but you’ll get a delicious beverage rich in nutrients such as potassium, magnesium and, of course, Vitamin C.
Although Vitamin C is the most well-known of the nutrients that 100% orange juice has to offer, it also contains something very special that you may not have heard of: hesperidin. Hesperidin is a powerful phytonutrient, or flavonoid, that has been shown to reduce inflammation, positively affect heart health, blood sugar control and boost the immune system. The best part? 100% orange juice is the only fruit juice that contains significant amounts of hesperidin. Increased pressures seen by commercial juicers have shown to increase hesperidin content when compared to hand-squeezed or high-end consumer presses. This makes Florida orange juice a great way to get this flavonoid into your diet.
As you can see, there are more benefits to drinking 100% orange juice than reasons to worry. Both adults and children can take comfort in enjoying a refreshing and amazing tasting beverage while also consuming plenty of nutrients. As long as portions are kept in check and you are choosing 100% juice, this beverage can definitely play a role in a balanced diet.
