What You Need to Know About the Best Time to Drink Orange Juice

Orange juice is one of the most delicious drinks that has become a dietary habit for many of us with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. This drink is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C and has many health benefits. Now we can ask, what is the best time to drink orange juice? Join us to answer this question.

Due to its numerous benefits, orange juice is the best way to boost the immune system, and drinking a glass of it daily provides the body with essential nutrients. This fruit contains about 170 different phytochemicals, which have significant health effects due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

By drinking orange juice, you actually provide your body with substances such as vitamin C, thiamine (vitamin B1), pantothenic acid, riboflavin, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, vitamin B6, and folic acid, which are health regulators.

A cup of fresh orange juice contains the following:

Calories: 112
Protein: 2 grams
Carbohydrates: 26 grams
Fiber: 0 grams
Fat: 0 grams
Sugar: 21 grams

This juice is a good source of the following elements:

Folate
Calcium
Iron
Copper
Potassium
Zinc

The substances in orange juice are beneficial for brain health, bone and skin health, cardiovascular system, cognitive functions, aging, and many other aspects.

When is the Best Time to Drink Orange Juice?

The best time to drink orange juice is in the morning. By drinking orange juice at breakfast, your body gets enough sugar and energy to start an energetic day. When you drink orange juice in the morning, your body has the opportunity to process the acid in it until night and before sleep.

However, there is a misconception that says to drink orange juice in the morning and before breakfast. This group believes that one of the best ways to benefit from all the advantages of orange juice and fully absorb its nutrients is to drink it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. However, researchers have proven that drinking orange juice on an empty stomach in the long term causes stomach discomfort; therefore, it is better to eat your breakfast first and then enjoy drinking orange juice.

The best time to drink orange juice is 1 to 2 hours after breakfast, when the body is neither too full nor too hungry. Additionally, at this time, the stomach has just digested food and is ready for new tasks.

Is Drinking Orange Juice at Breakfast Beneficial?

Nothing can wake us up like a glass of fresh orange juice accompanied by a nutritious breakfast. The benefits of drinking orange juice at breakfast include:

Drinking orange juice at breakfast, due to its refreshing aroma and multiple benefits, helps start an energetic day.
Orange juice boosts the immune system and fights free radicals.
This juice acts as an anti-inflammatory and can help prevent kidney stones.
Orange juice supports healthy blood circulation and regulates blood pressure.
Orange juice is an excellent source of multiple vitamins and minerals, but like all fruit juices, it contains a lot of sugar, which can increase blood sugar levels, so drinking orange juice at night is less recommended.
Drinking orange juice helps reduce high blood pressure and high cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart disease.

Therefore, paying attention to the best time to drink orange juice can play an important role in your daily activities.

Drinking Orange Juice at Night

It is better to say no to drinking orange juice at night and before sleep because it can make it difficult for you to have a comfortable sleep. There are two important reasons for this:

Acidity: The pH scale shows us the change in acidity in foods and drinks, ranging from 0 to 14. Foods with a pH between 0 to 6.9 are acidic, and those between 7.1 to 14 are considered alkaline. The pH of orange juice ranges from 3.30 to 4.19, meaning this drink is quite acidic. This level of acidity can cause acid reflux even in people who do not have reflux.

Sugar: Orange juice is rich in sugar. Every 225 grams of plain pulp-free orange juice contains 22 grams of sugar.

Therefore, drinking orange juice at night has the following side effects:

Stomach reflux: Consuming high levels of acidic foods or drinks and then lying down significantly increases the likelihood of acid reflux. You may also experience discomforts such as heartburn or indigestion.

Increased sugar: We all experience an energy boost from eating sweet things, which can be useful in the middle of the day, but you definitely don't need it when you want to sleep.

High blood sugar: Apart from the immediate sugar rush, regular consumption of sugary foods and drinks not only causes late sleeping but also disrupts your deep sleep. High blood sugar causes poor sleep, and lack of sleep raises blood sugar levels.

Drinking orange juice at breakfast on an empty stomach can also be bad for the stomach. The vitamin C in orange juice can interact with the acid in the stomach and easily cause ulcers if consumed excessively.

Final Word

Due to its beneficial biological activities and long-term benefits, orange juice is one of the popular drinks for health. By drinking orange juice at breakfast and using its antioxidants and minerals, you can prevent many diseases and stay healthy all lifetime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drink orange juice on an empty stomach?

Drinking orange juice on an empty stomach can cause stomach ulcers because the vitamin C in orange juice combines with the acid in the stomach.

What are the side effects of drinking orange juice at night ?

The acidic nature of orange juice at night can cause stomach reflux, and its high sugar content can disrupt sleep due to the immediate energy it provides to the body.