A video on the internet is going viral where an Australian woman named Anne Osborne said that she was living on orange juice alone for 40 days. In that video she called that experience emotional, physical and spiritual benefits.
Explaining further in the video, claiming that it was a wonderful experience for her. She talked about momo-diet in the video because of which she kept this long term diet. To understand whether a person can survive on orange juice for 40 days, OnlyMyHealth interacted with Dr Sangeeta Tiwari, Clinical Nutritionist at Artemis Lite, New Delhi.
Explaining whether a person can survive only on orange juice for more than a month, Dr Tiwari said, “Surviving only on orange juice for more than a month isn't advisable because of its lack of essential nutrients like protein, healthy fats, and certain vitamins and minerals. Orange juice is rich in vitamin C and some carbohydrates, but it lacks other nutrients necessary for survival.”
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Adding further, she said, “Excess consumption could lead to deficiencies and health problems like weakened immune function, muscle loss, and metabolic imbalances. To maintain health while incorporating orange juice, it's essential to consume a balanced diet that includes proteins, fats, and other vitamins and minerals through food or supplements.”
Also read: From Improving Gut Health To Preventing Cancer: Health Benefits Of Orange Peel
How Can A Person Survive On Orange For 40 Days?
Studies say that oranges contain vitamin C, potassium, and some antioxidants. Vitamin C helps in boosting immunity and antioxidants help in fighting free radicals hence protecting cells. But is this enough for our body?
Answering this, Dr Tiwari said, “Relying only on oranges for survival for more than a month isn't recommended. Its benefits like hydration and some nutrient intake, are outweighed by its deficiencies in essential nutrients like protein, healthy fats, and certain vitamins and minerals that are necessary for overall health and survival.”
“Furthermore, excessive consumption of orange juice can cause issues like tooth decay and blood sugar spikes due to its high sugar content. A balanced diet consisting of a variety of foods is necessary for long-term health and well-being,” she added.
Consequences
Relying solely on orange juice for a period as long as 40 days can have severe consequences for health. Shedding light on the severe consequences, Dr Tiwari said, “While orange juice provides some nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants, it lacks essential nutrients like protein, healthy fats, calcium, and certain vitamins and minerals crucial for overall health. This can cause nutritional deficiencies, weakened immune function, muscle loss, metabolic imbalances, and tooth decay.”
Protein intake is essential for the body and its absence in the food may start breaking down muscle tissue for energy, resulting in muscle wasting and weakness. “Moreover, the high sugar content in orange juice can disrupt blood sugar levels, resulting in fluctuations and potentially affecting hormone regulation,” Dr Tiwari added.
Also read: Oranges Can Be A Healthy Choice For Diabetics, Here's Why
Bottomline
Advising against the idea of solely relying on orange juice, Dr Tiwari said, “Relying on just orange juice or any single food for a long period can increase the risk of nutrient deficiencies and health complications. A single item lacks essential nutrients like protein, healthy fats, and certain vitamins and minerals crucial for overall health.”
Concluding, she said, “Long-term consumption of orange juice only can lead to weakened immune function, muscle loss, metabolic imbalances, and tooth decay because of its high sugar content. Furthermore, restrictive diets are unsustainable and may promote unhealthy relationships with food. A balanced diet that includes a variety of foods ensures sufficient nutrient intake and supports long-term health and well-being.”