new york times

OJ Has Health Benefits, Shows Research

Ernie Neff Orange Juice, Research

OJ

Recently published research results are consistent with previous studies indicating that orange juice (OJ) consumption is associated with benefits to nutrient intake and diet quality without detriment to body weight in children. The same research results from the University of Washington indicated that OJ consumption has favorable effects on body mass index and waist circumference in adults.

The research results were announced at the May Florida Citrus Commission meeting by Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) Director of Scientific Research Rosa Walsh. The University of Washington research was sponsored by the FDOC.

To obtain the results, University of Washington researchers analyzed National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data of consumption of 100 percent orange juice in relation to flavonoid intake and diet quality among U.S. children and adults.

While results of the study cannot show cause and effect, they can be used to inform dietary policy in the United States. They can also be used to support FDOC messaging that OJ can be part of a healthy diet.

FDOC has another NHANES study looking at trends over time relating to OJ and nutrient adequacy in adults and children. The data analysis on that study is complete and final results are expected within the next six months.

FDOC is also sponsoring a longitudinal analysis of OJ as related to weight, health, activity and diet quality in a cohort of children.

Additional FDOC-sponsored reviews currently underway involve hesperidin and OJ, OJ and oxidative stress/inflammation, and the relationship between lutein/zeaxanthin and human macular pigment.

Walsh summarized the health benefits of OJ, and how the FDOC promotes those benefits to consumers, at the 2019 Citrus Expo in North Fort Myers. “Orange juice drinkers, both adults and children, tend to have higher diet quality” than the general population, Walsh said. Learn more about that presentation here.

Source: FDOC