Associations of deciles of orange juice consumption with nutrient intake, diet quality, and weight parameters in adults: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2016

Authors: O'NEIL, CAROL - Louisiana State University Agcenter; NICKLAS, THERESA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC); FULGONI III, VICTOR - Nutrition Impact, Llc

Submitted to: Global Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/6/2021
Publication Date: 1/24/2021
Citation: O'Neil, C.E., Nicklas, T.A., Fulgoni III, V.L. 2021. Associations of deciles of orange juice consumption with nutrient intake, diet quality, and weight parameters in adults: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2016. Global Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 4:1.

Interpretive Summary: The US Dietary Guidelines for Americans reports that 100% FJ "can be part of healthy eating patterns;" however, it recommends that at least half the fruit recommendation be consumed as whole fruit since it is a better source of fiber than fruit juice (FJ). Fewer studies have examined the effect of FJ specifically 100% orange juice (OJ) on diet and weight in adults. The objective of this study was to examine the linear relationships among OJ consumers and non-consumers by decile for nutrient intake, diet quality, fruit consumption, and weight parameters in adults. Data from the 2003-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 35,148 adults 19 plus years of age was used. Most nutrients, including fiber, folate DFE, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and potassium showed a positive linear association with deciles of OJ consumption. There was no positive linear association with added sugars. There was a linear association with deciles of OJ consumption and total fruit and fruit juice. There were no associations for any of the weight parameters examined. Adults should be encouraged to consume OJ as part of an overall healthy diet, since it improves nutrient intake and total fruit, specifically fruit juice subcomponent of diet quality and did not adversely affect weight parameters.

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to examine linear relationships among deciles of orange juice (OJ) consumption with nutrient intake, diet quality, fruit consumption, and weight parameters in adults 19 plus years participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2016. Intake was determined using 24-hour dietary recalls. Primary analyses were based on linear regression of deciles of OJ consumption on energy, nutrients, diet quality, determined by the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI); fruit consumption, and weight parameters, weight, body mass index, and percent overweight and obese. All analyses were adjusted for complex sampling design of NHANES and incorporated appropriate sample weights as recommended by the NHANES analytical guidelines, and were performed using SAS release 9.4. Significance was p <0.01. NHANES Adults 19 plus years participating in NHANES 2003-2016. Most nutrients, including fiber, folate DFE, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and potassium showed a positive linear association with deciles of OJ consumption. There was no positive linear association with added sugars. Total HEI scores did not show a positive linear association in the overall population; however, the total fruit subcomponent showed a positive linear association. There was not a linear association with whole fruit, although there were ones for total fruit and fruit juice. There were no associations for any of the weight parameters examined.Consumption of OJ should be encouraged by adults as part of an overall healthy diet, since it improves nutrient intake and elements of diet quality and is not associated with weight.