Overview
- Adults who drank 500 ml of pure pasteurised orange juice daily for 60 days showed reduced activity in immune and sodium-handling genes in blood cells.
- Downregulated genes included NAMPT, IL6, IL1B, NLRP3 and SGK1, providing a potential molecular explanation for observed blood-pressure effects in earlier trials.
- A systematic review of 15 controlled studies involving 639 participants found regular intake lowered insulin resistance and blood cholesterol, with small systolic blood pressure reductions reported in overweight adults.
- Responses varied by body size, with heavier participants showing larger shifts in fat-metabolism genes while leaner participants showed stronger anti-inflammatory changes.
- Some studies report shifts in gut bacteria and metabolites alongside intake, though the 500 ml dose delivers considerable natural sugars and the lack of fibre means whole fruit remains the better option.