Scientists show that daily orange juice alters thousands of genes in immune cells.
Many of these genes regulate blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and control sugar metabolism.
These processes directly support long-term cardiovascular health, researchers say.
David C. Gaze of the University of Westminster explains how orange juice triggers these genetic changes.
Reduced Inflammation and Better Regulation
Researchers asked adults to drink 500 ml of pasteurised orange juice daily for two months.
After 60 days, stress-activated genes such as NAMPT, IL6, IL1B, and NLRP3 became less active.
SGK1, which controls kidney sodium retention, also showed lower activity, helping lower blood pressure.
Hesperidin, an antioxidant in oranges, influences cholesterol, blood pressure, sugar metabolism, and inflammation.
Body type affects response: overweight participants showed stronger changes in fat-metabolism genes, lean participants in inflammation genes.
Heart and Metabolic Benefits
Analysis of 15 studies with 639 participants shows orange juice reduces insulin resistance and LDL cholesterol.
Overweight adults who drank orange juice daily lowered systolic blood pressure and raised HDL, the good cholesterol.
Metabolite studies show orange juice affects energy use, cell communication, and inflammation pathways.
Blood orange juice increases gut bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids, supporting blood pressure and reducing inflammation.
Orange juice improves endothelial function in metabolic-syndrome patients, enhancing vessel relaxation and lowering heart-attack risk.
Even factory workers who handle orange juice show lower apo-B, a marker linked to heart-attack risk.
Overall, orange juice consistently reduces inflammation, improves circulation, and strengthens markers of cardiovascular health.
