CONNECT WITH OJ
CONNECT WITH GRAPEFRUIT
CONNECT WITH OJ
CONNECT WITH GRAPEFRUIT
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From family and friends to social media and blogs, your patients get nutrition information from a variety of sources — but how much of it is true?
This page contains science-based information about 100% orange juice that can help you set the record straight and clear up misinformation for your patients. We’ve also answered some of the most frequently asked questions about 100% orange juice to save you time.
Bust common myths with science-backed facts about 100% orange juice.
100% orange juice has a unique package of essential nutrients and can contribute to a healthy, balanced dietary pattern.
100% orange juice is good for you. It offers a combination of vitamins, minerals and plant compounds, making it a nutrient-dense beverage that helps support overall wellness. One 8-ounce serving is an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of potassium, folate and thiamin. 100% orange juice is also fat free and cholesterol free, and it has no added sugar. Find more benefits.
One 8-ounce serving of 100% orange juice does not displace fruit — it counts as one cup of fruit and contributes to daily fruit servings. It’s a complement to whole fruit, not a replacement.
Enjoying 100% orange juice can be a strategy to help achieve the recommended amount of fruit needed each day for optimal health. Most Americans fall short on fruit intake, often due to barriers like cost, access and convenience. Including 100% orange juice as part of a healthy overall diet offers an achievable step in the right direction.
In fact, a 2025 study found that 100% fruit juice does not displace fruit but rather contributes to total fruit recommendations and helps fill nutrient gaps for populations that may not be able to afford (or have access to) whole fruit. Learn more about fruit intake.
There is no added sugar in 100% orange juice.
The sweetness of 100% orange juice comes from naturally occurring sugar. There are about 21 grams in one 8-ounce glass, which is similar to the amount of naturally occurring sugar in 1 ½ to 2 whole oranges.
While sugar content often gets the spotlight, it’s important to recognize that 100% orange juice offers a range of vitamins, minerals and beneficial plant compounds. Read more.
100% orange juice is a nutrient-dense beverage that supports healthy blood sugar balance in healthy adults.
Unlike sodas and other sugar-sweetened beverages, the sugar in 100% orange juice is naturally occurring. It’s also packaged with vitamins, minerals and plant compounds — a complex combination known as the fruit matrix. Because of this complete nutritional package, naturally occurring sugars in 100% orange juice have different effects on the body than added sugars in other drinks.
For example, a 2026 study compared the effect of 100% orange juice and sugar-sweetened drinks on glycemic response. Results showed drinking 100% orange juice resulted in a significantly lower blood glucose spike compared with a sugary water. Researchers suspect this was due to the unique fruit matrix of 100% orange juice.1 Discover more.
It’s common to have questions about 100% orange juice. Here are answers that may be helpful for you and your patients.
There are key differences between 100% orange juice and other juices.
In contrast, drinks with more unpaired fructose (such as sugar-sweetened beverages) can lead to fructose malabsorption, where the body has a harder time absorbing fructose.2
When purchasing 100% orange juice or another type of fruit juice, encourage patients to check the label to ensure they are choosing 100% juice with no added sugar. Read more about the label.
Yes, kids can drink 100% orange juice. Suggested serving sizes vary depending on age.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following serving sizes for all 100% fruit juices:
The pulp in 100% orange juice can add a small amount of fiber and plant compounds, but overall, it doesn’t significantly change the nutritional profile.
So, if you’re not a fan of pulp, it’s no big deal. Research shows that both pulp and no pulp 100% orange juice are nutritionally very similar and offer a wide variety of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals and plant compounds.3
Hesperidin is a flavonoid, a type of polyphenol and phytonutrient (naturally occurring plant compound), concentrated in the peels of citrus. In fact, it is most abundantly found in citrus. The way oranges are pressed during commercial juicing helps release higher levels of hesperidin and other beneficial phytonutrients from the peel.
Hesperidin:
Yes, emerging research suggests that orange juice can be beneficial for brain health. Studies have explored how compounds in 100% orange juice, such as flavonoids like hesperidin, may support cognitive function through effects on blood flow, oxidative stress and inflammation.4,5,6,7
Additionally, a long-term study found that in men, drinking 100% orange juice daily was associated with substantially lower odds of cognitive decline compared with drinking orange juice less than once per month. Fruit juices showed a strong dose-response, and orange juice was the main contributor to this association.
The study had many strengths:
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