Background: Oxidative stress may lead to overproduction of reactive species and a decrease in antioxidant defenses, resulting in chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer. The consumption of natural compounds with an antioxidant profile may be a preventive alternative. Therefore, we aimed to obtain evidence regarding the potential antioxidant activity of juices in human plasma.
Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed, which included randomized controlled trials that compared the use of fruit or vegetable juices vs. placebo or other beverages. An electronic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and SciELO. The outcome measures extracted were related to antioxidant status, e.g., vitamin C, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) levels and reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant capacity measured as TEAC.
Results: Twenty-eight trials were identified (n = 1089), of which 16 were used for meta-analysis. No significant differences were observed between juices and placebo with regard to TEAC, SOD, and CAT. However, juices were superior to control in enhancing vitamin C and reducing MDA.
Conclusions: Natural juices are possible candidates for the management of oxidative stress. The effects of juices should be further investigated by conducting larger and well-defined trials of longer duration.
Keywords: antioxidant capacity; health benefits; juice; systematic review.