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Citrus Fruits & Orange Juice

Citrus fruits and orange juice as functional foods: hesperidin trials, blood orange juice and blood vessel function, grapefruit and medicines.

Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.

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Overview

Oranges, grapefruit, lemons and mandarins contain flavanones such as hesperidin. Whole fruit and juice differ in fiber and sugar.

What the research shows

  • A meta-analysis of randomized trials concluded hesperidin, a major flavonoid in orange juice, might not affect the lipid profile or blood pressure. [1]
  • In a trial of adults with overweight or obesity, two weeks of blood orange juice improved flow-mediated dilation, a measure of blood-vessel function; blood pressure and lipids were unchanged. [2]
  • Another trial looked at hesperidin in orange juice and gene-expression changes in people with elevated cardiometabolic risk. [3]
  • A meta-analysis of prospective cohorts: non-100% fruit juice was associated with type 2 diabetes (RR 1.15), while 100% juice showed no association. [4]

Not shown: that citrus prevents disease. Effects on markers were mixed.

Grapefruit and medicines

The FDA warns that grapefruit juice and grapefruit can affect how some medicines work, including some statins, blood pressure medicines and transplant drugs; the effect depends on the drug, the person and the amount. Ask your pharmacist or check the label. [5]

Safety and individual considerations

  • Juice adds sugar and removes fiber; see Whole fruit vs juice.
  • Citrus is acidic; ask a clinician if you have reflux.

Related

Whole fruit vs juice · Safety

Frequently asked questions

Is orange juice healthy?

Trials show mixed effects on markers; 100% juice showed no association with type 2 diabetes in a cohort meta-analysis, unlike non-100% juice. [4]

References

  1. Mohammadi M et al. Hesperidin, a major flavonoid in orange juice, might not affect lipid profile and blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. Phytother Res 2019. PMID 30632207.
  2. Li L et al. Blood Orange Juice Consumption Increases Flow-Mediated Dilation in Adults with Overweight and Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Nutr 2020. PMID 32510144.
  3. Pla-Pagà L et al. Effect of the consumption of hesperidin in orange juice on the transcriptomic profile of subjects with elevated blood pressure and stage 1 hypertension: A randomized controlled trial (CITRUS study). Clin Nutr 2021. PMID 34800819.
  4. Lee CW et al. Consumption of Fruit Juice and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies. Am J Med 2025. PMID 40393612.
  5. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Grapefruit Juice and Some Drugs Don't Mix.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.