A glass to wash down your pancakes and bacon, a cup when youre getting the sniffles: For many households in the United States, orange juice is part of the morning routine. Sure, it has vitamin C, potassium and folate, but its also packed with sugar and citric acid, which has started to earn it a bad reputation.

While OJ has long been seen as a health drink, should this breakfast table staple be a thing of the past? We talked to a variety of health and nutrition experts about the effects of OJ on your body and how to best consume it.

How healthy is orange juice for you, from a nutrition standpoint?

The good-ish news is that youre probably consuming other foods that are far less healthy than a glass of orange juice. But its not a superfood, by any means.

I wouldnt say orange juice is bad for the body. Its a source of essential nutrients, said Heidi McIndoo , a registered dietitian. However, like most things, when consumed in large quantities, it can lead to unhealthy results.

But its important to pay attention to whats on the label, McIndoo said.

If a person is interested in the nutritional benefits of a juice, seeing all-natural on the label is meaningless, she said. If, however, a person is looking to avoid any artificial ingredients, that claim can help them make their food choices.

But is it a healthy drink?

Most experts would steer you away from the juice aisle.

While many people consider orange juice to be a health drink, I advise those who want to lose weight and lower their blood sugar to stay away, said Maggie Bell , a registered dietitian.

And while the no added sugar label may be accurate, theres a lot of natural sugar in your OJ. The USDA says an 8-ounce serving of orange juice contains roughly 20 grams of sugar , equivalent to nearly 5 teaspoons.

She also flags that the addictive nature of sugar often leads to overconsumption, potentially contributing to weight gain over time.