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A glass of orange juice per day may be more beneficial than just getting a boost of vitamin C, with a new study finding that regular intake alters the functioning of thousands of genes within immune cells, potentially providing significant long-term benefits for heart health.
A study of adults who drank 500 ml of pure pasteurized orange juice every day for two months suggests that drinking orange juice daily may alter genetic pathways responsible for controlling blood pressure, controlling inflammation and managing sugar metabolism.
“After 60 days, several genes associated with inflammation and high blood pressure had become less active. These included NAMPT, IL6, IL1B and NLRP3, which normally become activated when the body is under stress. Another gene, known as SGK1, which affects the kidney’s ability to retain sodium (salt), also became less active,” wrote Professor David C Gage of the University of Westminster. ConversationThe findings of the recent study were highlighted.
“Such changes are consistent with previous findings that drinking orange juice daily may reduce blood pressure in young adults,” he said.
Why is this important?
Orange juice has been linked to better heart health in several studies, and the current study may explain why, Professor Gage explained.
“New work shows that the drink doesn’t just raise blood sugar. Instead, it triggers small changes in the body’s regulatory systems that reduce inflammation and help blood vessels relax,” they wrote.
Essentially, the research showing how this orange juice actually helps heart health suggests that the biological benefits of a breakfast staple may extend deep down to the cellular level.
What have other studies found?
A review of 15 studies covering 639 adults found that regular consumption of orange juice reduced blood cholesterol levels and insulin resistance, which are risk factors for heart disease and diabetes, respectively.
Meanwhile, another study, which focused on overweight and obese adults, found a small reduction in systolic blood pressure and an increase in ‘good cholesterol’ or high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Although these changes were found to be minor, even small improvements over several years can make a difference.
Another study showed that volunteers who drank blood orange juice for a month showed an increase in the amount of gut bacteria that produce fatty acids, which reduce inflammation and maintain healthy blood pressure.
Another study found that daily consumption of orange juice among obese adults improved blood vessel lining function, which is associated with a reduced risk of heart attack.
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