April 25, 2017 · Written by Foodtolive Team

Is Orange Juice in the Morning Really Healthy

Orange juice in the morning can be both healthy and bad for you. The difference lies in the type of the beverage. Processed, commercial juices are full of elements that are detrimental to your wellbeing. Freshly squeezed orange juice, on the other hand, offers the full range of benefits of a fresh fruit.

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Orange Juice in the Morning: Types

There are three main types of orange juice you can get today:

  • Commercial juice made from a concentrate.
    This is definitely the least healthy option available. It’s definitely one of the foods with hidden sugar content that makes it almost as ‘bad’ as sweet soda. High-quality processed juices don’t contain any outright toxic elements. However, many of the chemicals in these beverages weaken the body in the long run.
  • Commercial freshly squeezed juice.
    This would be a healthier choice because it’s actually made of oranges and isn’t processed ass ‘thoroughly’. However, all freshly-squeezed beverages must be pasteurized before they get onto the market. This reduces the nutritional value, which is the main reason that makes drinking orange juice in the morning a healthy habit. Bear in mind that this kind of product may also contain a lot of sugar.
  • Homemade freshly squeezed juice.
    Orange juice you make yourself is definitely the safest and best choice. You can be 100% sure that it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals or extra sugar. Drinking it immediately after squeezing ensures that you get the maximum of its nutritional value.

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What Nutrients Do You Get from Orange Juice in the Morning

Vitamin C is the main nutrient in orange juice. A single cup of fresh, unprocessed citrus liquid contains twice the recommended daily dose of the element. You don’t have to worry about ‘overdosing’ on this particular nutrient as its excess is efficiently flushed out of the body without any harm to your systems. In fact, some health care professionals advise increasing the intake of vitamin C during the flu season as this helps the body fight off bacteria. 

Other important nutrients you can get from a cup of orange juice include:

  • Vitamin A
  • B vitamins
  • Potassium
  • Magnesium
  • Iron
  • Calcium

Their amounts are much smaller, but they do contribute to making this drink more valuable to your health.

Always drink freshly squeezed orange juice with pulp as this is where the majority of the nutrients lies. It’s also an excellent source of dietary fiber.

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Should You Drink Orange Juice in the Morning

Yes, you should enjoy a glass of orange juice every day, but only if it’s the right kind of juice. As long as it’s made by yourself from top-quality oranges this drink would be a great addition to your diet.

Today many people argue the actual health benefits of orange juice. Some of the more extreme opinion influencers even go as far as to claim that this beverage equals some slow-acting poison. These people might be right if you consider the long-term effects of processed, sugar-filled drinks.

However, homemade unsweetened juices definitely don’t fall into this group, so drinking them is good for you.