Are oranges really ‘unnatural’ and too sweet to be healthy?

Social media influencers like ‘Glucose Goddess’ claim modern fruit is not healthy like its ancestors. Dietitian Jess Burvill investigates if this is fruity fearmongering or fact.

You may have heard claims that today’s fruit, like oranges, are nothing like the ‘ancestral’ or ‘heritage’ varieties, having been bred to be far sweeter, and therefore less healthy. These ideas often circulate on social media, wellness blogs, and among proponents of ancestral, paleo, or low-carb diets who suggest modern fruit is over-processed or nutritionally inferior. But what does science actually say about the fruit on our plates today?

Red flag claims

✽ Modern fruit is ‘unnatural’ and genetically modified
✽ Fruit today is far sweeter and less healthy than heritage varieties
✽ These claims come mainly from influencers, not scientists

Claim: Oranges and fruit today are not natural

The idea that oranges aren’t ‘natural’ comes from the fact that many fruits have been bred over time to improve traits like size, sweetness, colour and disease resistance. Today’s oranges are indeed different from their wild ancestors, which were smaller, more bitter and less juicy – but this is true for almost all fruit. Selective breeding is a long-standing, natural farming practice, and it’s not the same as genetic modification. No fruit sold for consumption in Australia or NZ is genetically modified.

Claim: Modern fruit is much sweeter and less healthy than heritage fruit

It’s true that breeding and farming methods have increased the sugar content of many fruits, including oranges, over the decades. The aim has been to meet consumer preferences for sweeter, juicier fruit. However, the increase in natural sugars in fruit is modest, and fruit remains a nutrient-dense food packed with fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The sugar in fruit comes with fibre, which slows sugar absorption and reduces blood sugar spikes compared with processed sugary foods. The overall health benefits of eating whole fruit far outweigh concerns about sugar content.

The verdict: Enjoy your fruit, naturally

While modern oranges and other fruit have been selectively bred to be tastier and sweeter, this does not make them unnatural or unhealthy. They remain a nutritious and health-promoting part of a balanced diet. Instead of fearing fruit’s natural sugars, focus on eating a variety of whole fruits in their natural form and limit added sugars from processed foods.