To keep your heart healthy, try drinking more orange juice

• Orange juice offers multiple benefits for heart health, according to a new study examining its impact on gene expression.
• The study found that orange juice lowers blood pressure and systemic inflammation, and enhances fat metabolism.
• This unique investigation into the physiological effects of orange juice offers a novel perspective on its potential value for heart health.

Orange juice delivers a full menu of good things for the heart, according to a new look at the popular beverage from a molecular point of view.

A recent study published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research found that orange juice broadly affected genes involved in physiological activity related to heart health, inhibiting unwanted processes and promoting beneficial ones.

Orange juice dampened — or downregulated — hypertension (high blood pressure) genes. Hypertension can lead to stroke, heart attacks, and heart failure.

It did the same for inflammatory genes. Inflammation can lead to cardiac events by constricting and damaging blood vessels, as well as promoting the formation of dangerous plaque buildup.

At the same time, orange juice upregulated – promoted – the activity of genes responsible for metabolizing fat, helping the body process and store it more efficiently.

The study also found two body-type-dependent effects. Fat metabolism was particularly optimized by orange juice in people with overweight. People of normal weight saw a greater reduction in systemic inflammation.