The Myth About Orange Juice You Need To Stop Believing
A tall glass of orange juice with a hearty breakfast can feel like a refreshing start to your day. According to Insider, orange juice is considered to be the most popular fruit juice in the U.S. and has often been claimed to be full of health benefits. The problem is that the truth isn't as simple as it seems. When it comes to orange juice, there are some things that worth keeping in mind.
The good news first: Orange juice does have many nutrients including vitamins and minerals that are essential for your overall health. It is a rich source of vitamin C and has antioxidants that help you develop a more robust immune system in general. Plus, orange juice has nutrients called flavonoids that help fend off harmful free radicals in your body and benefit your health. So, what's the catch? There's one thing that often gets overlooked when it comes to orange juice.
Drinking orange juice when you're sick isn't that beneficial
As wholesome as orange juice can be, it has enough sugar to cause a problem. You may have heard of the immune-boosting properties of orange juice, but it is important to note that a glass of it is chock-full of sugar. And when you're down with a bad cough, too much sugar isn't going to help you — not to mention the acidity in orange juice may make things worse, too. Why? Well, according to Prevention, when you're fighting a sore throat, the citric acid in orange juice can irritate your throat further, making your symptoms feel worse.
You'll definitely want to avoid supermarket brands from that have added sugar in addition to the natural sugar already found in fruits, too. So, perhaps the smart thing to do is have freshly squeezed homemade orange juice in moderation when you feel like it and to steer clear of the beverage when you're sick with the flu (via Verywell Fit). Stick with tea and plenty of water!