Ingestion of bioactive compounds, such as hesperidin and naringin, found in citrus fruits and orange juice, can improve the homeostasis of gut microbiota. A controlled clinical study with temporal series intergroup design with 10 apparently healthy women (28.5 ± 8.4 years, 24.1 ± 3.3 kg/m²) were evaluated after continuous consumption of commercial pasteurized orange juice for 2 months. Samples of blood serum and stool were collected at basal time and periodically during the experiment for biochemical and microbiology assays. Intestinal microbiota was evaluated for total anaerobic bacteria, Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., and Clostridium spp. An independent culture evaluation was performed using Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE). The pH, ammonium (NH₄⁺), and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were evaluated for microbial metabolism. The results showed that daily intake of orange juice did not change women's body composition, but improved blood biochemical parameters, such as low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, glucose, and insulin sensitivity. Orange juice positively modulated the composition and metabolic activity of microbiota, increasing the population of fecal Bifidobacterium spp. and lactobacillus spp. Polymerase chain reaction–DGGE of microbiota showed similar composition of total bacteria, and microbial metabolism showed a reduction of ammonia and an increase of the production of SCFAs. These results suggested that a daily consumption of orange had a positive effect on the intestinal microbiota and metabolic biomarkers of young women, which may be an effective alternative for a healthy drink.

This study investigated the hypothesis that long-term orange juice consumption (≥ 12 months) was associated with low risk factors for cardiovascular disease in adult men and women with normal and moderately high cholesterol blood levels. The sample consisted of 103 men (18–66 y) and 26 women (18–65 y); all were employees of an orange juice factory with daily access to free orange juice. The results showed that 41% of the individuals consumed 2 cups (480 mL) of orange juice per day for at least twelve months, while 59% of the volunteers are non-consumers of orange juice. Orange juice consumers with normal serum lipid levels had significantly lower total cholesterol (−11%, p <0.001), LDL-cholesterol (−18%, p < 0.001), apolipoprotein B (apo B) (−12%, p < 0.01) and LDL/HDL ratio (−12%, p < 0.04) in comparison to non-consumers, as did the consumers with moderate hypercholesterolemia: lower total cholesterol (−5%, p <0.02), LDL-cholesterol (−12%, p <0.03), apolipoprotein B (−12%, p <0.01) and LDL/HDL ratio (−16%, p <0.05) in comparison the non-consumers counterparts. Serum levels of homocysteine, HDL- cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-1, body composition and the dietary intake of food energy and macronutrients did not differ among orange juice consumers and non-consumers, but vitamin C and folate intake was higher in orange juice consumers. Long-term orange juice consumers had lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, apo B and LDL/HDL ratio and an improvement of folate and vitamin C in their diet. O presente estudo investigou a hipótese de que o consumo de suco de laranja a longo prazo (≥ 12 meses) foi associado com menor fator de risco para doença cardiovascular em homens e mulheres adultos com nível normal e moderadamente alto de colesterol no sangue. A amostra foi composta por 103 homens (18–66 anos) e 26 mulheres (18–65 anos) todos eram funcionários de uma fábrica de suco de laranja com acesso diário e gratuito ao suco de laranja. Os resultados mostraram que 41% dos indivíduos consumiram dois copos (480 mL) de suco de laranja por dia durante pelo menos 12 meses, enquanto 59% dos voluntários não eram consumidores de suco de laranja. Os consumidores de suco de laranja com níveis normais de lipídeos séricos apresentaram menor teor de colesterol total (−11% p < 0.001), LDL-colesterol (−18%, p <0.001), apolipoproteína B (apo B) (−12%, p <0.01) e LDL/HDL (−12%, p <0.04) em comparação com os não-consumidores; assim como os consumidores com hipercolesterolemia moderada (−5% p <0.02), LDL-colesterol (−12%, p <0.03), apolipoproteína B (−12%, p <0.01) e LDL/HDL (−16%, p <0.05) em comparação aos seus pares de não-consumidores. Os níveis séricos de homocisteína, HDL-colesterol e apolipoproteína A-1, a composição corporal e a ingestão de energia e de macronutrientes da dieta não diferiram entre os consumidores de suco de laranja e não-consumidores, mas a vitamina C e o folato estavam mais elevados na dieta nos consumidores de suco de laranja. Os consumidores de suco de laranja de longo prazo apresentaram menores níveis de colesterol total, LDL-colesterol, apo B e razão LDL/HDL e uma melhoria nos níveis de folato e vitamina C nas suas dietas.

In vivoantioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of citrus flavanones.