What happens to cold symptoms when drinking orange juice?

Orange juice is a popular home remedy for colds and other upper respiratory infections due to its rich vitamin C content. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that supports immune function and may relieve cold symptoms. While orange juice is a good source of vitamin C, more research is needed to determine if it actually has a measurable effect on cold symptoms.

Orange juice is rich in folate, vitamin C, and other nutrients that may reduce inflammation in the body. A small 2022 study found that drinking 100% orange juice may reduce inflammation due to its high flavonoid content. Flavonoids are antioxidants that protect cells from damage and inflammation.

This anti-inflammatory effect may relieve cold symptoms because colds cause inflammation in the membranes of the nose and throat. Research has found that drinking orange juice can lower markers of inflammation in the blood. However, more research is needed to determine if orange juice is an effective treatment for the common cold.

Orange juice is rich in vitamin C, which may help relieve cold symptoms when taken in high doses. A 2023 analysis of previous research found that taking high-dose vitamin C supplements of 1,000 milligrams or more daily can shorten the duration of the common cold and reduce symptoms. However, a glass of orange juice doesn’t contain that much vitamin C, so it’s not clear whether drinking it can improve cold symptoms or shorten the duration of a cold.

Orange juice is rich in citric acid, an acid found in citrus fruits. Citric acid consumption can trigger symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and throat irritation. It can also increase mucus production, worsening cold symptoms such as runny nose and cough.

If you have a sore throat due to the common cold, consider avoiding orange juice until you feel better. Other fruit juices that may irritate the throat include grapefruit juice, pineapple juice, and grape juice.

If you find a glass of orange juice soothing when you have a cold, there’s no reason to avoid it. However, if you have a sore throat or productive cough, you may want to limit your orange juice intake until you feel better.

When you have a cold, be sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and loosen mucus. Other hydrating drinks that do not irritate your throat include herbal teas, hot water with honey, broth, and soup.