Food & Receipts

Parenting Tips For Exam Season: Does Orange Juice Reduce Stress Levels And Help Kids Study Better?

Many people share that giving their kids orange juice or any beverage during test-taking season so that they can ease their nerves and perform better in their studies.

Administrator

3 May, 2024

Oranges are a popular fruit known for their immune-boosting properties, especially during hot seasons. According to Dr. Ngo Thi Bach Yen, head of the Dermatology and Beauty Care Unit at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Traditional Medicine, chronic stress and anxiety can increase cortisol levels, a hormone that can alter essential bodily functions, leading to weight gain, headaches, high blood pressure, and elevated blood sugar. Natural stress-relieving methods, such as drinking orange juice, can help the body relax, managing both mental and physical well-being.

Fresh and flavorful orange juice can instantly uplift your mood and naturally reduce stress and anxiety by increasing serotonin levels.

Orange Juice Offers Numerous Benefits for Brain Health

Orange juice also contributes to better brain cell regeneration and helps enhance memory, improving cognitive conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.

Nutritional information per cup of fresh orange juice includes: calories: 112; protein: 2 grams; fat: 0 grams; carbohydrates: 26 grams; fiber: 0 grams; sugars: 21 grams… Orange juice is also rich in vitamins, calcium, iron, folate, and more. Its abundance of vitamin C and carotenoids helps prevent aging, protects the skin, and combats free radicals. Therefore, drinking orange juice or eating oranges daily can brighten and smooth the skin.

When consumed directly, oranges are high in fiber, supporting digestive function, facilitating better nutrient absorption in the gut, preventing constipation, and reducing the risk of stomach ulcers.

Like other citrus fruits, oranges are rich in phytochemicals that provide the body with numerous protective substances. These phytochemicals include flavonoids (naringenin, hesperidin), carotenoids (beta-carotene, lutein), coumarins, phenolic acids, and more. Oranges provide polyphenols that strengthen the immune system, guarding the body against viral infections.

Orange juice is also a source of potassium, a mineral that regulates blood pressure, prevents bone loss, and protects against heart disease and stroke. Additionally, orange juice increases urine pH levels, reducing the risk of kidney stones.

Parents can include fresh orange juice or oranges in their children’s diets, especially during summer and exam seasons.

How to Consume Oranges

Eat whole orange segments instead of just drinking the juice to benefit from the fiber content.

Limit added sugar in orange juice, as excessive sugar consumption can be detrimental to children’s health.

When purchasing oranges, choose those that are safe and avoid using ones with dried-out segments, as they may have been stored for extended periods and could contain chemical preservatives.

Consume oranges or orange juice 1-2 hours after main meals, and avoid consuming them with meals, particularly seafood-heavy ones.

The best time to drink orange juice is in the morning or afternoon for optimal effects. Drink or eat oranges immediately after peeling or juicing, as vitamin C degrades over time.

Frequently asked questions

Orange juice contributes to better brain health in several ways. Firstly, it aids in brain cell regeneration and enhances memory, thereby improving cognitive conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, the high vitamin C and carotenoid content in orange juice help protect the brain from aging and combat free radicals.

A cup of fresh orange juice provides 112 calories, 2 grams of protein, 26 grams of carbohydrates, and 21 grams of sugar. Importantly, it is also rich in vitamins, calcium, iron, folate, and phytochemicals, including flavonoids and carotenoids. These nutrients offer a range of health benefits, from strengthening the immune system to protecting the body against heart disease and stroke.

When consumed whole, oranges are an excellent source of fiber, which supports digestive function. This fiber facilitates better nutrient absorption in the gut, helps prevent constipation, and reduces the risk of stomach ulcers.

It is recommended to eat whole orange segments instead of just drinking the juice to benefit from the fiber content. Parents can include fresh orange juice or whole oranges in their children’s diets, especially during summer and exam seasons. However, it is important to limit added sugar in orange juice and choose safe, fresh oranges when purchasing. Consume oranges or orange juice 1-2 hours after main meals, avoiding seafood-heavy meals. For optimal effects, drink fresh orange juice in the morning or afternoon, and always consume immediately after juicing to preserve the vitamin C content.