Beware… orange juice

In many families, orange juice is part of the morning routine. Sure, it has vitamin C, potassium, and folic acid, but it's also high in sugar and citric acid, which is something experts have become concerned about lately.

While orange juice has long been considered a healthy drink, should this breakfast staple eventually become a thing of the past? We spoke to various health and nutrition experts about its effects on the body and how best to consume it.

How nutritionally good is orange juice for us? The good news is that we probably consume other foods that are far less healthy than a glass of orange juice. But under no circumstances should you think that this is a superfood.

“I would not say that orange juice is harmful to the body. It's a source of essential nutrients, says Heidi McLeod, a registered dietitian. – However, like most products, consumption in large quantities may lead to harmful health effects” However, it is important to pay attention to what is written on the label, says the specialist.

“Although many people consider orange juice to be a healthy drink, I advise those who want to lose weight and lower their blood sugar to stay away from it,” says Maggie Bell, a registered dietitian. And although “no sugar added” may be correctV orange juice contains a lot of natural sugar.

The USDA reports that an 8-ounce (226.7 grams) serving of orange juice contains about 20 grams of sugar, which equates to almost 5 teaspoons.

It is also noted that addiction to sugar often leads to excessive consumptionpotentially contributing to weight gain over time.

“If our goal is not just to lose some weight, but to stay healthy in the long term, drinking orange juice can stall/reverse the gains we've made in the gym,” says Rich Taylor-Wellington, a fitness trainer.

He calls process of removing fiber from orange when cooking orange juice one of the main reasons why he is not a fan of this drink. “Fiber helps produce certain digestive enzymes,” says Taylor-Wellington. – Without the fleshy part of the fruit, we can drink the juice of two or three oranges in a matter of seconds. This is not a good choice for your teeth, as citrus fruits are known to contain citric acid, which erodes enamel. And natural orange juice is no different in this regard.”

“Orange juice is a double whammy for your teeth: it's high in sugar and it's acidic,” says Elizabeth B. Simpson, DDS, a general dentist. “The more patients lean on acidic drinks, the worse the results,” says the expert. “If we consume a lot of foods that break down into sugar, such as orange juice, we have a high chance of damaging our teeth and needing dental treatment.”

Drinking orange juice on an empty stomach can quickly raise your blood sugar. However, combining it with fiber and protein may reduce this risk. So what's the best way to consume an orange? In simple words: eat the fruit and don't get carried away with the juice.

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