Orange juice is rich in vitamin C but when should you not drink it?
Orange juice is famous for being rich in vitamin C, which is essential for the body. However, using this juice improperly can cause some consequences for the body.
When someone in the family has a cold, I often make orange juice for them. However, my 3-year-old child often has diarrhea and feels uncomfortable after drinking orange juice. Doctor, please advise! (Hoang Thanh, Ho Chi Minh City).
Specialist Doctor 2 Huynh Tan Vu, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Campus 3 answered:
100g of orange contains 87.6g of water; 104mcg of carotene - an antioxidant vitamin; 30mg of vitamin C; 93mg of potassium; 26mg of calcium, 9mg of magnesium; 0.3g of fiber; 4.5mg of sodium; energy value is 48kcal... Oranges contain no fat or cholesterol.
In oranges, vitamin C accounts for 15-20% of the total antioxidants. In addition, there are other compounds with antioxidant properties such as hesperidin from flavanoid found in abundance in the white fibrous peel, orange peel membrane and a little in the pulp and seeds of oranges. Oranges have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-coagulant and strong antioxidant effects.
Orange juice also contains vitamin A, copper, folate, vitamin B1, and other nutrients that help keep the immune system functioning at its best, helping the body fight off external attacks.
However, orange juice is good for health if used in the right amount and for the right people. You need to note:
People with gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers or pancreatitis should not drink orange juice. The reason is that orange juice contains acid (ascorbic acid - vitamin C), organic substances that increase stomach acid, cause heartburn and make ulcers worse.
You should not drink orange juice at night because it has a diuretic effect, causing frequent urination at night and causing insomnia. At the same time, vitamin C in oranges also makes it more difficult for you to fall asleep.
You should not drink orange juice immediately before or after drinking milk, because the protein in milk will react with the tartaric acid and vitamin C in oranges, causing stomach ache and diarrhea.
A Japanese study recommends avoiding drinking citrus juice while taking medication, and taking it 1-2 hours before or after.
Drinking orange juice will help improve symptoms when you have influenza A. However, according to nutritionists, the amount of vitamin C needed for each person depends on gender and age.
For pregnant women, the amount of vitamin C needed to supply the body is 80mg/day and increases to 120mg when entering the breastfeeding stage.
For children, only half an orange should be fed per day. For women, 75mg of vitamin C per day is needed (equivalent to an orange with a diameter of about 4cm); men need 90mg of vitamin C per day (equivalent to an orange with a diameter of 5cm).
For people who have a habit of smoking, in addition to the basic vitamin C content, they must supplement 35mg because during smoking, free radicals will increase.
