Benefits Of Oranges
What are the Benefits of Oranges?
The benefits of oranges for their vitamin C content is well known and well documented. Oranges are a very common fruit that is consumed throughout the world. It is available in most places all year and they are delicious. There are several varieties of oranges. Each variety carries with it a different level of tartness and the skin thickness varies. To choose an orange, look for one that seems heavy for its size. This indicates that the orange is very moist and ripe.
Mandarin oranges are generally small with a loose skin. Clementines also have a loose skin and are seedless. Tangerines and Minneola are types of hybrid oranges. The Blood Orange is distinguished by the dark maroon color of its flesh and the unique sweet taste. There are many other more common varieties that are well known.
Mandarin oranges have a special significance in China. The word for orange in Chinese has a similar sound to gold which symbolizes good luck. It’s common to give crates of Mandarin oranges as a gift of good luck on the Chinese New Year.
The most well known benefit of eating oranges is their vitamin C content. On average, one orange contains 130 grams of vitamin C, which is almost 100 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants help to protect cells against damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals have been identified as a cause of cancers and heart disease. Vitamin C has also been proven to boost the immune system, which helps to prevent such illnesses as colds and flu. Vitamin C is not stored by the body, therefore any vitamin C that is not immediately needed is flushed out of the system. A daily supply of vitamin C is needed in order to reap its benefits in the long term.
One of the less well known benefits of oranges is that oranges can contribute to heart health. Eating oranges helps lower cholesterol. Orange peels contain a compound that actually reduces the production of cholesterol by the liver. Hardening of the arteries can be slowed due to the vitamin C content in oranges. It has been recently discovered that oranges also contain a specific flavonoid that has been proven to lower blood pressure. For all of these reasons, the benefits of oranges to your heart health are obvious.
Oranges contain a unique substance called pectin which causes oranges to have a significant fiber content. This is important to colon health in and of itself. But did you know that even though oranges seem to be acidic, they actually have an alkaline effect when they are in the digestive tract? The combination of fiber and alkaline activity help to stimulate the body to produce digestive juices. This effect helps to relieve constipation and establish digestive regularity. The alkalinity of oranges within the digestive tract also decreases the risk of peptic ulcers of the stomach, which can lead to stomach cancer.
Since oranges do have such a sweet flavor, most people are surprised to find out that the only contain about 100 calories each, and since they have a relatively high fiber content, they are actually a very good snack for those watching their weight. The fiber in the form of pectin offers a feeling of fullness and therefore is good for appetite control. For diabetics, oranges do give a quick burst of sugar, which may be dangerous depending on the severity of your diabetes. But in the long run, they make a much better snack than many other 100 calorie foods. Oranges are very portable and do not have to be in a container, since they are in their natural container. They are a great snack to have on hand to prevent mindless snacking.