Cognitive Function

Detailed Nutrition Information

A clinical study in healthy older adults reported that adults who consumed 100% orange juice scored better on combined tests for global cognitive function compared to the control group.⁶ In another study, orange juice with orange pomace added (to increase the fiber and flavonoid content of the juice) was shown to benefit psychomotor speed, attention/executive function and subjective alertness in healthy overweight or obese men.⁷ The consumption of citrus fruit and orange juice was associated with better performance on some cognitive tests in a study of older Norwegian adults.⁸

Furthermore, improvement on the DSST test (which measures processing speed, attention, switching and other cognitive functions) was also seen in young adults after consuming 100% citrus juice; increased blood flow to an area of the brain related to these functions was also observed in a separate study.⁴ A study in a large cohort of men in the U.S. found that drinking orange juice may be associated with a lower risk of memory loss over time.¹⁹

In an analysis of over 77,000 men and women in the Health Professional’s Follow-Up Study and Nurses’ Health Study, higher intake of flavanones, a sub-class of flavonoids found predominantly in citrus, was associated with a significant 36% reduced odds for subjective cognitive decline (SCD). In a sub-analysis, the intake of oranges, grapefruit, OJ, and grapefruit juice was significantly associated with lower odds of SCD in both cohorts.²⁰

Flavonoids

Flavonoids can cross the blood-brain barrier that the body uses to protect the brain from harmful or damaging agents.^1,2 Flavonoids found in citrus, specifically hesperidin and naringenin, may help maintain cell health in brain tissue as they appear to cross the blood-brain barrier to the greatest extent.¹ Flavonoids may reduce inflammation and maintain or improve blood flow to the brain which could have positive effects on cognition.^1-5

A clinical study in healthy older adults reported that adults who consumed 100% orange juice scored better on combined tests for global cognitive function compared to the control group.⁶ In another study, orange juice with orange pomace added (to increase the fiber and flavonoid content of the juice) was shown to benefit psychomotor speed, attention/executive function and subjective alertness in healthy overweight or obese men.⁷ The consumption of citrus fruit and orange juice was associated with better performance on some cognitive tests in a study of older Norwegian adults.⁸ Furthermore, improvement on the DSST test (which measures processing speed, attention, switching and other cognitive functions) was also seen in young adults after consuming 100% citrus juice; increased blood flow to an area of the brain related to these functions was also observed in a separate study.⁴

The flavonoid hesperidin is highly concentrated in citrus and rarely found in other foods, making orange juice a unique source of this flavonoid.⁹

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is concentrated in cerebral spinal fluid and in the brain;^10-12 thus, vitamin C may play a role in brain health.¹⁰ However, the precise role that vitamin C plays on cognition is unknown.¹³ Some studies report higher vitamin C levels to be associated with better cognitive function, while others do not.^10,12,13 While research regarding the use of vitamin C on brain health is inconclusive, vitamin C may have a protective effect on brain aging, particularly in the elderly with insufficient vitamin C status.^10,13

100% orange juice contains more than 100% of the Daily Value of vitamin C in an 8-ounce glass.^14*

Thiamin (B1)

Thiamin deficiency affects the nervous system and can cause memory loss, confusion, dementia, and other nervous system issues.^15-17 Lower amounts of thiamin and thiamin-dependent enzymes in the blood and brain have also been reported in several studies of elderly patients with Alzheimer’s disease.^15,16 Few and inconsistent studies have been performed on the effects of thiamin on improving cognition and preventing dementia; however, thiamin may play a beneficial role in brain health.

100% orange juice is a good source of thiamin with an 8-ounce glass providing 10% of the Daily Value.^14*

Vitamin B6

Research suggests vitamin B6 may play a role in brain health. Early studies in animals and adult humans have shown reduced neurotransmitters and abnormal EEGs (electroencephalograms) with vitamin B6 depletion.¹⁷ Case reports describe clinical symptoms of B6 deficiency to include depression and confusion.^17,18 Few observational studies report associations between low B6 and other B vitamins and cognitive decline, but due to other factors within the studies, these results are not conclusive.¹⁸ Therefore, the role of vitamin B6 is thought to be linked with cognition, but is largely unknown.^17,18

An 8-ounce glass of 100% orange juice has 8% of the Daily Value for vitamin B6.¹⁴*