Aussie lived on nothing but orange juice for 40 days

A Queensland woman who only consumed one thing for 40 days has raved about the diet — but experts disagree with her assertions.

A Queensland woman who consumed nothing but orange juice has raved about the diet — but experts disagree with her assertions.

Anne Osborne restricted her diet due to Lent.

In a video she posted reflecting on what she labelled a “wonderful” experience. She claimed to have felt emotional, physical and spiritual benefits.

“It’s a way of connecting with our inner selves — a period of reflection, a period of going inward while at the same time having great physical health, great energy and great wellness,” she said.

Ms Osborne only consumed orange juice for 40 days. Picture: Instagram/@fruitisbeaut

Ms Osborne added that mono-dieting (eating one food item) was an important part of her fruit-only diet. She compared it to going to a mechanic for a tune-up. She said it also made her appreciate other fruit.

There are some benefits to drinking orange juice within recommended intakes. It contains vitamin C and potassium. It’s also a good source of antioxidants and decreases inflammation.

However, experts have warned previously against embarking on a fruitarian diet.

The Cleveland Clinic says fruits are packed with natural sugar, vitamins and antioxidants and so eating fruit in moderation is healthy for you.

However, eating fruit in excess or following a fruitarian diet is not recommended as it can cause weight gain, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies such as low levels of vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium and omega-3 fatty acids.

A lack of these nutritional elements can lead to lethargy, immune system dysfunction and anaemia.

Other causes of concern with the diet include tooth decay, food obsession and starvation mode, meaning your metabolism will slow down in a bid to conserve energy.

She is a fruitarian. Picture: Instagram/@fruitisbeaut

Last year, vegan raw food influencer Zhanna Samsonova died after only consuming seed sprouts and fruit.

Sydney-based nutritionist Dr Rebecca Reynolds agreed that if her diet truly consisted of only “fruits, sunflower seed sprouts, fruit smoothies and juices”, there was no doubt she would have eventually become critically unwell.

“If you cut out several entire food groups, you have to have supplements, so if she wasn’t taking supplements, she was pretty much going to die from malnutrition,” Dr Reynolds told news.com.au at the time.

“You can’t survive on fruit and sunflower seed sprouts (a vegetable).”

Anyone who is interested in changing up their diet is urged to speak with their doctor first.

Originally published as Aussie lived on nothing but orange juice for 40 days