Citrus Fights Osteoporosis

KINGSVILLE, Texas--Drinking citrus juice may enhance serum antioxidant status and bone strength, according to a study published in Nutrition (22, 5:559-63, 2006).

Researchers from Texas A&M University randomized 36 senescent male rats to a sham-control group (n = 9) and an orchidectomized group (n = 27). The orchidectomized group was divided into three groups of nine animals assigned to one of the following treatments: orchidectomy, orchidectomy plus orange juice, and orchidectomy plus grapefruit juice. Sixty days after baseline, all rats were killed and serum was assayed for total antioxidant status and indices of bone formation and resorption. Orchidectomy decreased total antioxidant capacity, femoral density and biomechanical properties, compared with the sham-control group; orchidectomy plus orange juice and orchidectomy plus grapefruit juice reversed orchidectomy-induced antioxidant suppression, moderately restored femoral density, increased femoral strength and significantly delayed time-induced femoral fracture.

The researchers concluded intake of citrus juice positively affects serum antioxidant status and bone strength.