We know orange juice is loaded with vitamin C and other nutrients that nourish our bodies, but a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows it may benefit our brains, too. Researchers at the University of Reading conducted a small clinical trial with 37 healthy older adults. They asked half of the people to drink about two cups of orange juice daily. The other half of participants drank a placebo with a very similar taste and number of calories.
Before the study began and then again after eight weeks, the researchers tested various aspects of memory and cognition and combined them into a “global” measure of cognitive function. They rfound that those who drank orange juice showed an average of 8 percent improvement in their global cognitive scores. While that may not seem like much, when combined with other dietary changes, it could add up to a big difference.
If the results are true, what parts of the orange juice benefit the brain? One suspect is vitamin C, but it’s hard to tell: the researchers didn’t control for vitamin C by adding it to the placebo drink. It could also be a class of chemicals called flavanoids?, which include flavanones and the flavanols found in chocolate.
Despite these promising results, the trials included a very small number of people, so it should be replicated in a larger study group to see if the results hold. Additionally, because of its high sugar content, orange juice may not be good for everyone. People with diabetes or metabolic disease should be cautious about consuming high-sugar beverages such as orange juice. But if you’re already enjoying orange juice, you might be doing your brain a favor.
Photo: Geoff Peters
Aaron Carman, PhD, was previously the Assistant Director of Aging and Alzheimer's Prevention at the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation. Dr. Carman received his doctorate in microbiology and molecular genetics from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
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