Orange Juice Is More than Just Your Daily Vitamin C

Researchers at the University of New York at Buffalo have discovered that orange juice may do more than providing a healthy dose of vitamin C to the human body. According to their research recently published, orange juice may help to combat the damaging, inflammatory effects that high fat and/or high carbohydrate meals may cause on the body.

Orange juice contains other, healthy chemicals besides vitamin C. Flavonoids, another component naturally found in orange juice -- as well as other fruits and vegetables -- have been noted to have many healthy benefits, including reducing inflammation.

According to Researchers , up to five hours after eating, components in the blood associated with inflammation and stress, such as metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), toll-like receptors 2 and 4 (TLR 2, 4) and reactive oxygen species produced by white blood cells, were increased in individuals consuming water or a high carb drink with their meal. On the other hand, those participants who consumed orange juice with their meal saw no significant changes these factors.

This research may be important to those of you interested in heart disease prevention. Inflammation of arteries inside the heart -- and elsewhere in the body -- contributes to the formation of atherosclerosis, or the buildup of cholesterol and other fats that could cause narrowing or blockages of arteries. In the case of this study, 300 calories of orange juice, not from concentrate, was used. Based upon my estimation, this appears to be roughly 3 cups (24 ounces) of orange juice.