Unlike table sugar, which only provides calories, the natural sugar in 100% orange juice comes with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Orange juice is one of nature’s nutrient-rich foods! And a convenient way to reach one’s daily fruit intake recommendations.
At the end of the day, the calorie level of all sugars is the same, so it’s about balance and moderation. Replace those empty calorie foods with more nutritional foods. In fact, children and adults who consumed 100% orange juice had lower intakes of added sugars compared to those who did not.29 One hundred percent orange juice is a great substitution for nutrient-poor foods and beverages, such as sugar-sweetened beverages, in the diets of children and adults.29
Florida Orange Juice offers you with Amazing 5 benefits: no added sugar, folate, potassium, vitamin C and great taste. Florida OJ is a naturally sweet and nutrient-dense beverage with fewer calories than other commonly consumed fruit juices.
100% orange juice, as well as other 100 percent fruit juices, is not related to excess weight, body mass index (BMI), or other indices of obesity or being overweight in both adults and children, and clinical studies testing 100% orange juice or 100 percent fruit juice have not resulted in increased obesity or body weight. 7,9-14
The effect of satiety (fullness) and hunger has also been studied with 100% orange juice consumption. Satiety increased and the desire to eat decreased in participants after consuming 8 ounces of 100% orange juice compared to water in a randomized clinical trial.15 Adding pomace from oranges to the juice (which adds more fiber and flavonoids) increased these effects and was similar to whole blended oranges. Feeling full may help in making healthier food choices at your next meal.
A study following adolescent girls over time found naturally occurring sugars (both solids and liquids) were not associated with weight or adiposity (BMI z-score, waist circumference change).27 Analyses NHANES data (2009-2014) for children 2-19 years of age also found naturally-occurring sugars as liquids (e.g. fruit juice) or solids (e.g. fruit) were not associated with overweight of obesity.28 However, it is important to remember that it is the sum of the diet, not just one nutrient like sugar, along with physical activity, lifestyle behaviors, and other factors (e.g. genetics) that are involved in energy balance.3 Excess calories from any food may result in a higher risk for being overweight. As the Dietary Guidelines for Americans state, “foods containing added sugars are no more likely to contribute to weight gain than any other source of calories in an eating pattern that is within calorie limits.”5
Dietary patterns recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans include eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. An 8-ounce glass of 100% orange juice counts as one cup of fruit or one serving of fruit. These are based upon lowered risk of disease and improved nutrient intake.5 According to the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, about one-third of the U.S. population’s fruit intake comes from fruit juice.5
Research shows that both adults and children who regularly consume 100% orange juice or 100 percent fruit juice are more likely to have higher diet quality, higher intake of vitamins and minerals, and higher whole fruit intake.10,11,14,15,19,20 These results show 100% fruit juice is complementary and not competitive with whole fruit intake and may encourage the consumption of whole fruit.
Fermentable carbohydrates provide a favorable environment for oral bacteria to thrive and may increase the risk for dental caries. However, fluoride exposure, oral hygiene, food composition, timing (exposure, frequency), and host dynamics (e.g. genetics, dietary behaviors, gut microbiome) are also major factors.5,21-22
Sugar intake alone is not the cause of cavities.5,21-22 In fact, the “relationship between sugar consumption and caries is much weaker in the modern age of fluoride exposure than it used to be.”23 Research indicates 100 percent fruit juice does not independently cause dental caries.21,24-26
*Comparisons made between averages in weight, water, energy, and sugar content in orange juice (09206, 09209) and whole oranges (09203) of different sizes.
P.O. Box 9010
Bartow, FL 33831-9010 US
Phone: 863-537-3999
© 2023 Florida Department of Citrus. All rights reserved.