Daily consumption of 100 percent orange juice may be beneficial to brain function.
BARTOW, Fla. – A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that daily consumption of 100 percent orange juice may be beneficial to brain function in older adults.
The study, partially funded by the Florida Department of Citrus, investigated whether the daily intake of flavanone-rich orange juice was beneficial to cognitive function in healthy older adults. Flavanones are a special type of plant compound that may have health benefits.
Conducted by researchers at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom, the study included 37 adults with an average age of 67 years. Each participant drank 500 mL (approximately 16 ounces) of 100 percent orange or a low-flavanone orange-flavored control drink daily for eight weeks.
Blood pressure, mood, and cognitive function were measured before and after the eight week consumption period. Compared to the control drink, adults who consumed 100% orange juice scored better on some cognitive function tests and the benefits appeared to persist over time.
No effects were observed on mood and blood pressure did not change during the course of the study.
While additional research is needed, the results suggest that daily consumption of 100 percent orange juice may be beneficial to cognitive function in older individuals.
About the Florida Department of Citrus
The Florida Department of Citrus is an executive agency of Florida government charged with the marketing, research and regulation of the Florida citrus industry. Its activities are funded by a tax paid by growers on each box of citrus that moves through commercial channels. The industry employs nearly 62,000 people, provides an annual economic impact of nearly $10.7 billion to the state, and contributes hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenues that help support Florida’s schools, roads and health care services. For more information about the Florida Department of Citrus, please visit FloridaCitrus.org.
