I Drank Fresh Citrus Juice Daily for 30 Days

After 30 days of drinking freshly squeezed citrus juice, one writer said she felt less stomach bloat and improved digestive comfort.

At the beginning of the year, one writer increased her exercise routine, started eating healthier and invested more in her well-being, including making freshly squeezed juice as a morning habit. She said she also aimed to support her gut health.

She described preferring fresh fruit snacks over processed options and said citrus fruits offer a mild acid that can support digestion. Citing guidance from Dr. Kezia Joy, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and Medical Advisor at Welzo, the article said citrus may help stimulate digestive processes.

“Citrus can help stimulate the flow of digestive enzymes by increasing the amount of digestive juices produced. As a result, many people experience an improved ability to digest food as well as reduced bloating immediately after eating. Additionally, citrus fruits can help meet your daily hydration needs,” Dr. Joy said.

The writer said citrus juice is not a standalone solution for bloating but framed it as a beneficial addition to a broader routine. She also contrasted homemade juice with store-bought options, arguing that homemade juice is fresher and allows people to control ingredients.

Dr. Joy also said store-bought juice can vary in quality and that some products may cause digestive issues for some individuals.

“Store-bought juice can be convenient, but when you buy juice there can be different qualities,” Dr. Joy said. “Many store-bought juices may contain additional products that may cause digestive issues for some individuals. Choosing the least processed option available will help ensure continued digestive comfort.”

In the article, she said she tried making juice at home using a citrus juicer and blood oranges, and that the process took only a few extra minutes in her morning routine. She described her juicer as having a dishwasher-safe stainless steel strainer to make cleaning easier, and she said she was surprised by how smooth juicing felt for daily use.

She also tied the routine to her broader morning habits, saying it supported her mindset and helped her start the day with healthier choices.

The article cited Avery Zenker, an RD at MyCrohnsandColitisTeam, who said morning habits can affect bloating later in the day.

“Morning habits really affect digestive function and bloating later in the day. Some morning habits that can help reduce bloating throughout the day include exercise, a healthy breakfast, morning sunlight and mindfulness,” Avery Zenker, MAN, RD, said.

For the 30-day period described in the article, she said she often woke up feeling bloated and then added several steps to her morning: a brisk walk, time in sunlight, and freshly squeezed citrus juice—sometimes made with blood oranges and other times with grapefruit. She said the combination helped alleviate swelling and discomfort, and that she completed the plan for 30 days.

Zenker was quoted in the article explaining that citrus contains citric acid and that it may help stimulate stomach acid production, which the article said supports digestion before food moves into the intestines. The article also said citrus may contribute to digestive health through fiber, vitamin C, potassium and polyphenol content.

“The acid in citrus fruits, primarily citric acid, can help stimulate stomach acid production. Stomach acid helps break down food components before they move into the intestines. Citrus fruits can also contribute to digestive health due to their fiber, vitamin C, potassium and polyphenol content,” Zenker said. “Research has found that drinking orange juice daily is linked to lower inflammatory biomarkers, such as CRP (4). The anti-inflammatory benefits of orange juice are attributed to its vitamin, mineral and polyphenol content.”

While describing her own experience, the writer said drinking citrus juice alone was not expected to be a cure, and framed the change as part of a well-rounded routine. She concluded that her at-home pressing routine became a sustainable habit and that she felt better at the start of each day.

The article also discussed possible reasons for stomach bloating, saying it is often linked to everyday routines such as consuming large amounts of food that produce gas or swallowing extra air while eating.

It quoted Katrina Cox, a registered dietitian with 15 years of experience and owner and registered dietitian of Katrina Cox Nutrition LLC, specializing in gut health (including IBS and SIBO), who said not all bloating indicates something is wrong.

“Not all bloating means something is wrong. In healthy individuals, it’s often a sign that digestion and mobility need better support and not necessarily something deeper,” Cox said. “Common causes of bloating can be consuming too much air (high intensity exercise, fizzy drinks, straws), eating a large meal (the bigger the meal, the harder it is to digest), food intolerances (especially carbohydrates) – can ferment in the gut which leads to more water being drawn into the gut and fermenting into the last gas, you are more trapped. bloating.”

For readers considering a similar approach, the article said comfort and routine matter, adding that the best time to sip citrus juice is when a person is most comfortable. It also stated that, in this case, the writer preferred drinking citrus juice in the morning.