Breakfast is regarded as the most important meal of the day as it is consumed after a stretch of overnight fasting. Having a breakfast full of healthy nutrients and vitamins can help you achieve fitness goals, is good for heart health and controls blood sugar levels. But what to eat or drink during the morning that could benefit our health remains a question for most of us. Due to our fast-paced lifestyle and the rush to reach the office on time, people tend to avoid eating in the morning.
Well, need not worry, as just one glass of freshly squeezed orange juice is one of the best things that you can add to your morning diet. A glass-full of orange juice can help you with all the essential nutrients.
Here are some of the amazing benefits of having orange juice in the morning that you must know:
- Helps Weight Control: If you’re on a weight loss journey, having a glass of fresh orange juice in the morning on an empty stomach may help you with weight control and activate your metabolism. It has no added sugar or fat, making it a healthy alternative to sugary drinks.
- Boosts Immunity: Orange juice is rich in healthy vitamins and nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Folate and Potassium that can help your body fight infection by increasing white blood cell production. It can prevent infections like the common cold or flu.
- Good Heart Health: Orange juice consumption has been associated with improved blood pressure and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, also known as good cholesterol. According to a study, one glass of orange juice can provide 14 percent of a person’s daily potassium requirement and higher potassium intakes may be associated with a lower risk of stroke and other cardiovascular disorders.
- Better for your skin: As orange juice is rich in Vitamin C, it can help to protect your skin from premature ageing and environmental stress. It can even out your skin tone and reducedark spots, making your skin glow. Furthermore, Vitamin C increases collagen synthesis, which improves the softness of the skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Boost Cognitive Health: Having a glass of fresh orange juice can also help boost your mental health. It is rich in flavonoids, a plant-based compound that can improve blood flow to the brain and reduce inflammation.
However, it is advised to not use packaged orange juices that are available in the market as they might contain sugar and artificial sweeteners, which can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.