Here’s why orange juice is good for your heart

It is orange and sweet, but pure orange juice packs some of the richest nutrients your heart and other body parts will need to perform optimally. Ask dietitian Olusola Malomo. He is part of the “healthy living dialogue”, a campaign by fruit juice maker Chivita to engage the public on the benefits of 100% fruit […]

It is orange and sweet, but pure orange juice packs some of the richest nutrients your heart and other body parts will need to perform optimally.

Ask dietitian Olusola Malomo. He is part of the “healthy living dialogue”, a campaign by fruit juice maker Chivita to engage the public on the benefits of 100% fruit juice.

According to him, researchers have proved that 100 percent orange juice “facilitates free cholesterol transfer to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol”, a process that maintains a healthy heart.

Quoting recent research findings, the expert in food and nutrition categorized the gains of consuming orange juice into five broad headings:

• more than just a bag of natural sugar;
• right amount a day keeps obesity away
• ally for a healthy heart.
• reduces high blood pressure/insulin resistance
• improves the body’s glycaemic control.

“There is also substantial evidence from observational studies that the consumption of orange fruit juice has a protective effect against the risk of hypertension and other major heart diseases, with randomized controlled trials showing an inverse relationship between 100 percent fruit juice and hypertension,” he said.

“This is because 100 percent red-orange is high in lycopene that is proven to statistically reduce blood pressure and insulin resistance.

“Studies have also showed that the consumption of orange juice is not associated with adverse health effects, rather, it detoxifies the body and enhances its ability to fight health-related challenges.”