Bonnie Mulligan
Orange juice is arguably the winning favorite for Americans. Its sweet-yet-tart flavor profile makes it the perfect accompaniment to breakfast and brunch, but it’s also a refreshing choice at any time of day. It’s no wonder that OJ was the most popular juice in the U.S. during 2015, with the average person drinking 2.7 gallons that year. But beyond its ability to quench one’s thirst and provide a delightful citrus flavor, OJ actually has a number of health benefits that make it an appealing choice for virtually any demographic. If you plan on using your commercial juice machines to provide delectable beverages to your customers, here are some healthy reasons to add OJ to the menu.
It promotes heart health
Orange juice contains a great many nutrients that can help your heart stay healthy. When you use commercial fruit juicers to make fresh-squeezed OJ, your customers will benefit from the natural fiber, potassium, choline, and vitamin C it contains. Increasing one’s potassium (while decreasing sodium) is the best thing you can do to reduce your cardiovascular disease risk. In fact, a study found that people who consumed 4069 mg of potassium a day lowered their risk of fatal ischemic heart disease by 49%, compared to those who consumed only 1000 mg of potassium per day. Increased potassium can also lower your risk of having a stroke.
It can reduce blood pressure
Using your professional juicer to make fresh OJ can also have good effects on your customers’ blood pressure levels. The fiber found in orange juice can help do this, but new research also suggests an antioxidant found in oranges can assist, too. This antioxidant, called hesperidin, may help lower both cholesterol and high blood pressure. The extra potassium in OJ will be of value for this reason, too.
It may decrease cancer risk
There’s nothing definitive to say that drinking a lot of OJ could prevent cancer, but studies have found that the two could be connected in some way. One study found that consuming oranges and OJ in early childhood could decrease the risk of childhood leukemia development. The vitamin C found in oranges could prevent free radical formation, which are known to cause cancer. Another study found that a higher fiber intake from fruit could come with a lower risk of colorectal cancer; the the vitamin C found in citrus fruits could potentially be harvested to impair colorectal cancer cells someday. And two Japanese studies found that eating mandarin oranges reduces liver cancer, possibly due to vitamin A compounds called carotenoids. Although you can’t exactly promote the product made by your commercial juice machinesas cancer-preventative, understanding just how healthy OJ is can help you sell your beverages.
It can improve eye health
You may have heard that carrots are good for your vision, but did you know that oranges can be too? They’re chock-full of carotenoid compounds (which are converted to vitamin A in the body), which can help to prevent macular degeneration. Vitamin A helps your eyes to absorb light and actually decreases your chance of developing night blindness. It’s easy to “see” why your commercial juice machines will help your customers have a better quality of life!
Offering citrus juices and other fruit-filled products will be sure to delight your customers on taste alone, but their health benefits make these offerings even more attractive. And of course, your commercial juicer will allow you to add these items to your menu with ease.
