A daily glass of orange juice part of heart health approach

Writing in the journal Phytotherapy Research, scientists set out to investigate the effects of orange juice on major cardiometabolic risk factors, including body fat, blood pressure, blood lipids (such as cholesterol and triglycerides), inflammation, and blood sugar control markers.

Their systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled clinical trials included 15 studies and 639 participants. Analysis of the combined data revealed that orange juice consumption significantly reduced circulating total cholesterol levels and insulin resistance when compared with controls.

The authors concluded, “The findings from the present systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that daily consumption of OJ [orange juice] as a component of the usual diet can be associated with improved insulin sensitivity and serum TC [total cholesterol] concentrations.”

Reference

Motallaei et al. Effects of orange juice intake on cardiovascular risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. Phytotherapy Research. (2021). https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7173