CARDIOMETABOLIC diseases, such as hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, are leading causes of premature death in Brazil and worldwide, and dietary habits are a key factor in modulating these conditions.
High intake of foods rich in fat, sugar, and sodium increases the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, whereas diets abundant in fruits and vegetables promote better health. Orange juice is widely consumed in Brazil and represents a major source of flavonoids, particularly flavanones such as hesperidin and naringenin, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Orange juice modulates genes and metabolic pathways
Recent research explored the molecular effects of chronic orange juice consumption using a transcriptomic approach in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The study showed that orange juice modulates both coding and non-coding RNAs, affecting pathways related to blood pressure regulation, inflammation, and metabolism. Genes such as NAMPT, NLRP3, and SGK1, typically upregulated in hypertensive individuals, were downregulated following orange juice intake. These changes correspond with reductions in blood pressure and body fat percentage, suggesting that orange juice can positively influence cardiometabolic health.
Orange juice also impacts inflammation-related pathways. Key genes in the NF-κB signalling pathway, including IL6, IL1B, and PTGS2, were downregulated after chronic orange juice consumption. Flavanone metabolites present in orange juice, such as hesperetin 7-glucuronide, protected pancreatic β-cells and modulated proteins involved in insulin regulation and oxidative stress. Furthermore, orange juice influenced lipid metabolism, regulating genes and non-coding RNAs involved in adipogenesis and fatty acid processing, particularly in overweight individuals.
Importantly, the study highlighted that individual responses to orange juice can vary according to body mass index. Normal-weight and overweight participants showed different gene expression patterns, emphasising the importance of personalised dietary recommendations.
Overall, chronic consumption of orange juice appears to improve cardiometabolic health through multiple mechanisms, including the regulation of blood pressure, inflammation, and lipid metabolism. These findings provide valuable molecular insights into how orange juice, as a flavonoid-rich food, supports cardiovascular health and underlines its role in balanced diets.
Reference
Fraga LN et al. A global transcriptomic analysis reveals body weight-specific molecular responses to chronic orange juice consumption in healthy individuals. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2025;DOI:10.1002/mnfr.70299.
