Are you surprised by the title? You are not alone, very few people actually know about this and even fewer people ask the question of orange juice having caffeine. Orange juice has a lot of health benefits, but does orange juice have caffeine?
If you’re looking to drink something that will give you a boost of energy to attend that late-night party, and don’t like the taste of coffee, then orange juice might just be the thing you are looking for.
But if you are worried sick about why you can’t fall asleep while sipping that delicious orange juice, you will know your culprit.
It might come to you like a jolt of electrical shock, but, yes orange juice does contain caffeine. But do all types of orange juice have caffeine? You will be an expert if you read this article (2 minutes reading time). Understand the facts and decide for yourself what is good and what is too much caffeine!
What is caffeine, and what does it do to the body?
Caffeine is a stimulant that affects the Central Nervous System (CNS), to block out adenosine – a chemical that promotes sleep. This results in attention, and alertness, and puts the drinker in a state of ‘fight or flight’.
Caffeine naturally occurs in several plants, like coffee, tea, and kola nuts. It’s often found in popular soft drinks, energy drinks, tea, chocolate, diet pills, and even over-the-counter drugs. The main role of caffeine is to act as a psychoactive drug.
How much caffeine is in orange juice?
Like other citrus fruits, orange juice can contain naturally occurring caffeine. When processed, the amount of caffeine rises and falls based on how long the oranges are soaked in water or if sweeteners or flavorings were added before bottling. On average, an 8-ounce glass of Orange Juice has about 43 milligrams of caffeine – less than what’s typically found in espresso. That is why you may end up with a headache if you sleep after drinking a glass of orange juice.
Natural juice vs. orange juice with added caffeine
Commercial OJ producers have begun adding a synthetic chemical called sodium cetostearyl fumarate to the drink. This additive can increase the amount of caffeine by up to 300 percent! The average 8-ounce glass will then have up to 100 milligrams of caffeine, similar to what you’d find in a normal cup of coffee. Some companies advertise their product as being “caffeine-free.” However, added ingredients such as sugar and natural flavors can hide the potential that your orange juice has caffeine.
If you are pregnant or have been told by a doctor to steer clear of caffeine, you may be better off sticking to natural varieties of orange juice i.e. if you just can’t live without orange juice..
Do you need to worry about drinking orange juice if you’re sensitive to caffeine?
If you’re sensitive to caffeine, it’s best to avoid orange juice altogether. Because citrus fruits like oranges don’t have a lot of caffeine in them naturally, but the commercial process of juicing and adding additives greatly increases the amount of this stimulant.
But why miss out on such a great drink? Do you know how easy it is to make fresh orange juice at home?
How do I know if my OJ has caffeine?
Many companies advertise their products with labels like “100% natural,” “caffeine-free,” and “organic.”. So before you buy a container of OJ, make sure to read the label carefully and choose one that indicates caffeine-free orange juice.
But you can go one step further by testing it out on yourself, and see if drinking your favorite brand of orange juice makes you alert. If it does you will know it has caffeine.
The benefits of drinking orange juice, even if it has a little bit of caffeine?
Even though orange juice has caffeine in some cases, the health benefits from this delicious drink still far outweigh any of the risks. OJ is full of vitamin C and other essential nutrients that are good for your body. Be sure to read carefully and only choose brands you know don’t contain added synthetic chemicals or sugar! Or make one yourself.
What are some alternatives for those who don’t want any caffeine at all?
If your’s doctor recommendation is to avoid caffeine during pregnancy, insomnia, or any other reason, then try to limit your intake of this stimulant, natural fruit juices are a great alternative. You can try strawberries, apples, pears, grapes, or any other caffeine-free fruits, the possibilities are endless. You can even have raw vegetables, surprise your taste buds.
You can use naturally sweet and flavorful alternatives to orange juice. Plain iced tea won’t have as much of a jolt, but you can sweeten it with honey or sugar to get a more flavorful drink, though my advice would be to steer clear of sugar.
Does orange juice have caffeine?
The question should be “Do all types of orange juice have caffeine?”, unfortunately, some do contain a good proportion of caffeine (as much as coffee) due to the additives used in commercial products for storage and transportation. But at least now you can make an educated choice and be healthier and choose natural varieties that don’t contain any synthetic chemicals or added sugars!
