Scientists discovered that drinking orange juice daily changes thousands of immune-cell genes.
Many of these genes regulate blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and control sugar metabolism.
These processes play a crucial role in long-term cardiovascular health, researchers say.
David C. Gaze of the University of Westminster explained that orange juice impacts the body’s regulatory systems.
Reduced Inflammation and Blood Pressure
Researchers asked adults to drink 500 ml of pasteurised orange juice daily for two months.
After 60 days, stress-related genes NAMPT, IL6, IL1B, and NLRP3 showed lower activity.
The SGK1 gene, which controls kidney sodium retention, also became less active.
These results support previous findings showing that orange juice lowers blood pressure in young adults.
Hesperidin, a flavonoid in oranges, provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Body type affects the response: overweight individuals show larger changes in fat-metabolism genes, leaner participants show bigger inflammation-gene changes.
Heart and Metabolic Benefits
Analysis of 15 studies with 639 participants found orange juice reduces insulin resistance and LDL cholesterol.
Daily consumption slightly lowers systolic blood pressure and increases HDL, or good cholesterol, in overweight adults.
Orange juice influences energy use, cellular communication, and inflammatory pathways, studies show.
One month of blood orange juice increased gut bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids, supporting healthy blood pressure and low inflammation.
In people with metabolic syndrome, orange juice improved endothelial function, helping blood vessels relax and lowering heart-attack risk.
Research in Brazil found factory workers drinking orange juice had lower apo-B levels, reducing cholesterol particle risk.
Overall, orange juice reduces inflammation, improves blood flow, and supports markers for heart health.
