For many of us, a glass of orange juice has been a morning staple, synonymous with a healthy start to the day. However, the reality is that store-bought orange juice often comes with a hidden cocktail of chemicals and high sugar content that may not be as beneficial for your health as you think.

A friend of mine shared an article a while back from the British Journal of Dermatology that associated citrus consumption with melanoma risk. They found that high citrus consumption was associated with an increased risk of melanoma. They defined citrus consumption as both consumption of oranges, grapefruit and satsuma and their juice equivalents. I don’t have access to the questionnaire given to participants (my access was only to the free abstract version of the article), but the supplementary material that lists the full analyses is available freely, and it doesn’t appear to ask where the citrus fruits or juices come from.

Here’s what it does.

Despite the brazen statement that people consuming more than >1 serving of citrus fruit had an increased risk of melanoma, if you look at the data, juice had more statistical significance between consumption and melanoma risk at greater than a 1/2 serving to serving. And this was seen even when there was less consumption of juice versus fruit (look at the numbers in bold):

A.R. Marley, M. Li, V.L. Champion, Y. Song, J. Han, X. Li, The association between citrus consumption and melanoma risk in the UK Biobank, British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 185, Issue 2, 1 August 2021, Pages 353–362, https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.19896

For me, rather than proving the dangers of citrus, these findings present some troubling information around the risk associated with the consumption of juices. As the report goes on, it does list a statistical significance specifically with oranges only, due to a “lack of significant results for other citrus products in the main analysis”, but again, the source of the products was not measured.

Source makes a difference. We know for instance that the highest levels of pesticides are found in non-organic or non-locally grown strawberries, spinach, greens (kale, collard and mustard), peaches, pears, nectarines, apples, grapes, bell and hot peppers, cherries, blueberries and green beans, called the “dirty dozen.”

In the USA, toxic pesticides such as chlorpyrifos and neonicotinoids, utilised routinely in agriculture, result in neurological toxicity, cardiovascular and respiratory illness, endocrine (hormone) disruption and cancer. It’s also been seen to cause decreased birth weight and increased mortality in animal models. Additionally, studies have shown that humans may be more sensitive to the effects of pesticides than animals.

The Pesticide Action Network in the UK found 122 different pesticides and pollutants in many fruits and vegetables. The findings as reported in the news, revealed that there were a “cocktail of pesticides in almost all oranges and grapes, routinely used, and causing the same issues as above - cancer, hormonal dysfunction and more.

And now, the “All-Natural” Simply Tropical Juice brand is being sued for containing "more than 100 times the [Environmental Protection Agency’s] recommended levels” of forever chemicals (PFOA and PFOS, the most dangerous kinds). It makes you wonder what else is lurking in commercial juices that we don’t know about?

A conversation around the health risks of fruit and vegetables is not complete unless we investigate what else comes with the fruit and vegetables we’re eating. It would appear that many of the ways in which commercial juice is processed are just plain unhealthy.

In this brief article, I’ll list some of the dangers of store-bought orange juice, shed light on the chemicals added to it, and offer some healthier alternatives to consider.

The Hidden (and not so hidden) Dangers of Store-Bought Orange Juice

Fresh, organic citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, but GMO fruits and vegetables tend to lack 9 key nutrients - including vitamin C, calcium, iron, riboflavin, zinc, magnesium, vitamin B6, vitamin E, and vitamin A. As most mass produced juices would use GMO fruits; we know that the vitamins and nutrients purported on the label are most likely artificial. We also know that the 100% juice claim is false.

Let’s look at the claim that the juice is freshly squeezed. In natural juice, the juice is derived from whole fruit, e.g., a whole orange or grapefruit has been squeezed and juice released. In this situation, juice is usually ingested promptly, meaning you squeeze it and drink it. In commercial juice making, corporations can say they have “freshly squeezed” the juice even though they can then store the juice in aseptic tanks for up to a year. The pasteurisation process used decreases the level of vitamin C and antioxidants that are in the juice, which is essential for immune health. Then, the oxygen is removed from the juice, stripping the flavour and aroma, which means that high sugar and high chemical flavour packs are needed to reintroduce flavour and aroma once the juice is complete. To engineer the smell, often juice companies hire fragrance companies to engineer the flavour packs - the ones that formulate perfumes for Dior and Calvin Klein. These packs also often contain ethyl butyrate and ethyl acetate, chemicals that mimic the taste and aroma of fresh oranges. Over-exposure of these chemicals has been linked to nausea, vomiting and dizziness.

And then there’s the new lawsuit implicating the juice brand Simply Tropical with forever chemicals, called PFAS, which is pronounced “PEA-fass” and stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl, pronounced “PER or PAUL-ee-floor-oh-AL-kill.” These chemicals are incredibly toxic, and we become exposed to them through contaminated water or food made with PFAS, or breathing air containing PFAS. And because the chemicals don’t readily breakdown, humans and animals repeatedly exposed to them will have a build-up in the blood and urine. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report found PFAS in 97% of the blood in Americans. It’s hard to say what the levels would be worldwide, but given that most of the Western world uses and receive the same materials for cooking and food storage as Americans, the numbers are probably equally high.

PFAS has been reported by many government agencies as a public health crisis, listing out concerns such as increased cholesterol levels, increased risk of high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia in pregnant women, low infant birth weight, changes in liver enzyme production (needed for detoxification) and increased risk of kidney and testicular cancer. Medical professionals and researchers have reported PFAS damaging both the liver and immune system, as well as birth defects, delayed development, and new-born deaths.

That’s chilling.

And it’s no surprise that level of interference with purity would lead to increased risks of melanoma with overconsumption.

Breaking it down further

Below is a detailed breakdown of the most dangerous components of the store-bought juice:

Added Chemicals:

We talked about the “flavour packs”
Preservatives: To prolong the juice's shelf life, manufacturers may add preservatives such as potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate, which can have adverse health effects in high doses.

High Sugar Content:

Added Sugars: Some commercial orange juices contain added sugars to enhance sweetness and flavor. This can contribute to excessive sugar intake, leading to weight gain, dental issues, and an increased risk of chronic diseases like diabetes.
Lack of Fibre: Store-bought orange juice often lacks the natural fiber found in whole oranges. Fiber is essential for regulating blood sugar levels and promoting digestive health. Without it, the juice can lead to rapid spikes in blood sugar.

Healthier Orange Juice Alternatives

Freshly Squeezed: Choose freshly squeezed orange juice whenever possible, particularly from more organically grown oranges if you’re able. This way, you can enjoy the natural sweetness and flavour without the need for added chemicals or sugars. Invest in a good citrus juicer to make it easy and convenient. You can also use and old-fashion and much less expensive hand-press.

DIY Blended Smoothies: Blend whole oranges, including the fiber-rich pulp, with other fruits like berries, bananas, and spinach to create a nutritious and low-sugar alternative. This provides essential vitamins and minerals while keeping sugar levels in check.

Organic Cold-Pressed Juices: If you prefer convenience, consider cold-pressed juices available at some health food stores. These juices are typically minimally processed and have fewer additives.

Orange Water: Don’t feel like squeezing? Infuse water with slices of fresh orange or a few drops of natural orange extract for a refreshing, vitamin C boost.

Again, choose organic when available. Support local farms and growers. Their presence is essential for all our health.

Conclusion

While store-bought orange juice may seem like a quick and healthy choice, it often hides a range of added chemicals and excessive sugars that can have adverse effects on your health. By putting in a bit of effort, you can enjoy the benefits of oranges without compromising your well-being.

Remember, everything should be ingested in balance. But too much citrus is unlikely to harm you if you have access to organic whole foods, which are your best bet for getting the nourishment, flavour and nutrients. Without the nasty chemicals and sugar.

Is orange juice deadly? Most Likely