Orange Juice Concentrate
Also known as: OJC, frozen orange juice concentrate, FOJC, concentrated orange juice
Effective Dosage
No established dose (insufficient research data)
What the Science Says
Orange juice concentrate is orange juice with most of its water removed, resulting in a dense liquid that can be reconstituted or used as a food ingredient. The limited research available suggests it contains folate with roughly 62% bioavailability compared to pure folic acid, and it can be fortified with calcium to help meet daily mineral needs. It also contains vitamin C, though levels decline during storage regardless of packaging type.
What It Doesn't Do
No evidence it provides unique health benefits beyond what whole orange juice offers. Not shown to boost immunity, enhance athletic performance, or act as a therapeutic supplement. Don't assume it's equivalent to eating whole fruit — processing and storage reduce nutrient content. No clinical trials support using it as a dedicated supplement for any health condition.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Orange juice concentrate contains folate with an estimated bioavailability of approximately 62% in rat models, lower than some other food sources like broccoli (PMID: 2262810). It has been studied as a calcium fortification vehicle, with vitamin C content declining during storage regardless of fortification status (PMID: 8052582). Unlike grapefruit juice concentrate, orange juice concentrate does not inhibit the presystemic metabolism of drugs like nifedipine, though it may delay gastric emptying when consumed in concentrated form (PMID: 9570001).
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established dose (insufficient research data)
Source: auto-research
Absorption & Bioavailability
Moderate — folate from orange juice concentrate was found to be approximately 62% bioavailable compared to pure folic acid in rat studies. Vitamin C degrades during storage. Calcium added as a fortifier shows minimal loss (~4%) over 10 weeks of storage.
Red Flags to Watch For
- No human clinical trials support its use as a supplement — all relevant data comes from food science and animal studies
- Vitamin C content degrades significantly during storage, meaning the nutrient profile on the label may not reflect what you actually consume
- High natural sugar content — consuming large amounts as a supplement could contribute to excess caloric and sugar intake
- Orange juice concentrate can delay gastric emptying when consumed in large amounts, which may affect absorption of medications taken at the same time
- Widely used in 1,000+ registered supplement products despite virtually no clinical evidence supporting supplemental use
Products Containing Orange Juice Concentrate
See how Orange Juice Concentrate is used in these analyzed products:
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-04-06