Orange juice sales in the U.S. have dropped 50 percent since 2001, but often increase when illnesses like the cold and flu are on the rise. But nutritionists say you may be wasting your money - drinking juice is about as beneficial as consuming carbonated soft drinks or other sweetened beverages. While many Americans have been led to believe that orange juice contains immune-boosting vitamin C, studies show that chugging O.J. does little to prevent or treat common illnesses.Skip the juice, and try eating an orange instead.