Growing up, it was a familiar phrase: “Drink your OJ.” I remember hearing it from my lifelong family friend and mentor, Gail Buurma, the time I called her from my college dorm feeling under the weather and overwhelmed with exams and projects. She was a high-powered, jet-setting executive who knew a thing or two about rising to the occasion. I needed to know how she did it, and how I could do it, too.
I’m certain our conversation was expansive, but what I remember after all these years is that simplistic piece of advice.
Gail was likely repeating something said to her once upon a time. She may not have known exactly why a glass of orange juice was a good idea, but she understood that little things can make a big difference.
We all know orange juice isn’t an elixir. It won’t cure our colds or solve our problems. But there is solid, scientific research behind the old adage to drink orange juice.
Just look at these stats: An 8-ounce glass of orange juice is an excellent source of vitamin C, a good source of potassium, folate, and thiamin. It offers a package of nutrients that support brain health, heart health, bone health, skin health, and the immune system. When it comes to single-ingredient beverages that also taste good, there’s not a lot of competition in sight.
Florida Orange Juice: the Original Wellness Drink
Your grandmother and your mom knew it. And, today’s consumers know it, too.
Sales of 100% orange juice continued at an elevated rate through the summer at a time when consumers typically step back on consumption. We know this is likely due to the state of the world we still find ourselves in with the coronavirus and the fact that shoppers continue to seek out foods and beverages that are healthy and familiar.
Vitamin C is widely known for its role in supporting a healthy immune system, and studies show it may reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms. An 8-ounce glass of OJ provides 100% of our recommended daily value.
Plus, new scientific research is published every year confirming the health benefits of 100% orange juice and reaffirming its place in our daily diets. In the past 12 months alone, we’ve learned how drinking orange juice may help lower blood pressure; how children and adults who drink orange juice have higher diet quality overall; and how orange juice is just as effective as water or sports drinks for recovery after a workout.
So, while Gail may not have had all the facts when she gave me this specific piece of advice, she was on the right track. If anything, she probably just needed to add a few key words.
“Drink your Florida OJ every day.”