Orange juice, a marker of diet quality, contributes to essential micronutrient and antioxidant intakes in the United States population.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of 100% orange juice (OJ) on the healthy diet and micronutrient intakes of the United States population.
METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 13,971 people in the United States aged ≥ 4 years using 2 24-hour diet recalls from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003-2006.
RESULTS: Consumption of OJ was higher among 4- to 8-year-old children, older adults (> 50 y old), non-Hispanic blacks, those with lower body mass index, those of lower income level, nonsmokers, dietary supplement users, and those participating in regular exercise (P < .05). Consumption of OJ was positively associated with the percentage of participants meeting MyPyramid recommendations for fruit consumption. Increased OJ consumption was correlated with increased daily intakes of certain micronutrients and antioxidants (P < .05). Percentages of participants with intakes below Estimated Average Requirements for these micronutrients decreased with increased OJ consumption (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The implicated nutritional and potential health benefits of OJ warrant further investigation in clinical research studies.