Some people say that you shouldn’t compare oranges to apples – except if you want to know which one that is actually healthier. We know that both are packed with great nutrients and vitamins. But, in the following article, we will see the comparisons between orange juice vs apple juice to determine which one that is generally better for your health.
In this article, you can find out more about:
– The nutrition comparison of orange juice vs apple juice,
– The health benefits of orange juice and apple juice,
– The potential health risks of orange juice and apple juice, if any,
– And which fruit juice that is more recommended for you.
Nutrition Comparison
Note that both orange and apple are fruits that are rich in nutrition. Both orange juice and apple juice can give you good nutrition for your body. Nevertheless, they do carry different amounts of vitamins and minerals. They also carry some different nutrients. See also: Cashew Milk vs Almond Milk.
Orange juice generally carries higher vitamins and minerals than apple juice. An 8-oz glass of unsweetened orange juice can give you 112 calories, 124 mg vitamin C, 496 mg potassium, and 74 mg folate. After all, orange is known as a vitamin C powerhouse. It possesses twice higher potassium than apple juice. It can give you a quarter of the recommended daily value for folic acid. So, orange juice is a good choice for fulfilling your daily vitamins and minerals.
On the other hand, apple juice of an equal amount contains about 117 calories, 103 mg vitamin C, 295 mg potassium, and zero folate. So, if we only compare the levels of vitamins and minerals, apple juice indeed doesn’t look as good as orange juice.
However, it is important to point out that apple juice has other important nutrients. Apple juice is very rich in phytonutrients, which are powerful antioxidants that can reduce the risks of chronic diseases and age-related ailments. So, you can say that apple juice is even more nutritious than orange juice due to the phytonutrients.
Health Benefits
Orange juice has always been associated with improved immune system. This is because of the high vitamin C content. Orange juice can help to strengthen your immune system when you are not fit. Orange juice can also help you recover more quickly after falling sick. Many people drink orange juice to recover from flu.
Apple juice is also a very good source of vitamin C, although the amount is lower than orange juice. However, apple juice can give more-or-less similar benefits as orange juice. In addition, apple juice is believed to be beneficial for preventing certain cancers, brain cell damage, asthma, and heart disease. This is due to the rich antioxidants.
Potential Issues
Orange juice can be quite sour and acidic. So, it is not suitable for people with gastric acid problems, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, and the likes. On the other hand, according to Livestrong, apple juice contains a higher amount of sugar. Drinking apple juice excessively may lead to obesity or diabetes.
Orange Juice vs Apple Juice
| Orange Juice | Apple Juice |
|---|---|
| - Higher vitamin C, potassium, and folate | - Lower vitamin C and potassium, no folate |
| - Lower antioxidants | - Rich in antioxidants |
| - Great for improving the immune system and recovering | - Help to prevent cancers, brain cell damage, asthma, heart disease |
| - Sour and acidic, not suitable for people with gastric problems | - High sugar, may cause obesity or diabetes if consumed excessively |
Conclusion
Both orange juice and apple juice are healthy drinks that should be consumed in moderation. Orange juice is great when you are not feeling fit or when you need to recover, as the vitamin C content is high. Meanwhile, apple juice is a very healthy drink that is rich in antioxidants. Apple juice can help to prevent certain cancers, brain cell damage, asthma, and heart disease.