Natural fruit juice linked with blood pressure in Spanish study - the importance of hesperidin

It's well known that 100% orange juice is a source of potassium that contributes to the maintenance of normal blood pressure. A new clinical trial has now examined the effect of an orange juice polyphenol, called hesperidin, on the function of blood vessels. Polyphenols are natural plant substances found in fruit, vegetables, soya, tea, cocoa and red wine.

The clinical trial - conducted at the University of Tarragona in Spain - investigated the effects of daily orange juice for 12 weeks on blood pressure in 159 adults at risk of raised blood pressure. Every day, people in the study drank 3 glasses (500 ml) of 100% orange juice or a similar amount of a specially-prepared orange juice with added hesperidin or a control drink with no orange or hesperidin.

The study found a significant effect on blood pressure when people drank either the natural orange juice or the orange juice with added hesperidin. There was no effect of drinking the control drink. The research supports earlier studies on hesperidin and orange juice. It's worth pointing out that the recommended serving size for fruit juice is typically 150-250 ml daily, not 500 ml.

The authors commented that: "Regular consumption of orange juice, particularly hesperidin-rich orange juice, could be a useful co-adjuvant tool for blood pressure management".

Reference

Valls RM et al. Effects of hesperidin in orange juice on blood and pulse pressures in mildly hypertensive individuals: a randomized controlled trial (Citrus study). European Journal of Nutrition https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-020-02279-0

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